The first full week of February leads to a full Wednesday at the Orange Beach Public Library—a day when readers, authors and history buffs are in for a treat.

Patricia Brady will speak Wednesday, February 8, 2012, of her newest book, A Being So Gentle: The Frontier Love Story of Rachel Donelson and Andrew Jackson

At 10 a.m. on February 8, The Friends of the Orange Beach Library will present Patricia Brady, a historian and author, who will speak about her newest book, A Being So Gentle: The Frontier Love Story of Rachel Donelson and Andrew Jackson.

From Rachel and Andrew’s love affair to his rise in the military and political worlds, and from wars to plantation life to raising children (often alone), Rachel unwaveringly supported Andrew’s aspirations. Unfortunately, Rachel died just weeks prior to Andrew’s move to the White House, and the president’s devotion to her kept him from remarrying.

Ms. Brady brings the touching story to vivid life for her readers, and you will enjoy her personal glimpse into the lives of the powerful couple and the research that helped to create the narrative.

After savoring a leisurely lunch and shopping in town, return to the library by 3 p.m. for a different brand of insight into our country’s more recent past with the author of a historical novel that ties together events from present day and 1940.

Bob Buckley's novel The Slave Tag finds two college students investigating an unreported murder from 1940.

Bob Buckley’s compelling story, The Slave Tag, is directed by two college students who stumble upon some information about an old, unreported crime. Their interest piqued, the characters eventually follow their research to an unpleasant set of circumstances in the Deep South.

In addition to the discussion of his book, Mr. Buckley (yes, the geocaching expert from previous library programs) will also enlighten his audience on the changed landscape of publishing in today’s world and how it affects authors.

Join fellow booklovers, history enthusiasts and authors for both of these enlightening (and free!) conversations. But don’t say we didn’t warn you—after visiting with these authors, you will be so intrigued by their books that you will just have to purchase your own copies. Happy reading!

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If you enjoy nature-related discussions and you are in the coastal Alabama area this week, you are in the right place at the right time.

Learn about the Backcountry Trail fire damage and recovery, plus historical and future significance of longleaf pine forests.

This Wednesday, January 25, Philip West will be presenting information on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Orange Beach, and how the fire of 2011 has affected it. As the Coastal Resources Manager for the City of Orange Beach, Philip will offer an overview of the timber and trail damage as well as the recovery efforts. Admission to this 6:00 p.m. event held at the Senior Activity Center (east of Hwy. 161, on Canal Rd., next to the library) is free and open to the public; you may wish to sign up at the Orange Beach Public Library or via their website.

Author Roger Reid, writer/director/producer of the Emmy award-winning Discovering Alabama television series, and scientist Mark Hainds, research director with the Longleaf Alliance, have collaborated on a presentation regarding longleaf pine forests in Alabama. In this free seminar geared to all ages, they will include historical background and future significance of these ecosystems. Their appearance is scheduled for Friday, January 27, from 4 until 5:30 in the Orange Beach Public Library Meeting Room. You may register at the library or their website.

Enjoy the Backcountry Trail and locate longleaf pine during your next stay with us. You and your significant other can hike and/or bike many areas while using a 1-bedroom Orange Beach condo as your home base. Or bring the entire extended family to the beach for a nature-centered reunion—there’s plenty of room in a 5-bedroom Orange Beach property.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Love to read? You’re in the right place at the right time.

Stock up on great reading at the Orange Beach Public Library Book Sale this Friday and Saturday.

The Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library host a sale each January, and this year it’s Friday and Saturday, January 13 and 14. (Yes, this weekend!)

Of course, you’re aware of the tremendous variety of reading material found at a library. The sale will naturally reflect that, so no matter what you enjoy reading, you won’t be able to leave empty-handed. The challenge will be how many books you can carry—but multiple armloads are encouraged!

Browse to your heart’s content Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. But don’t go to the library. Instead, you’ll find the book sale at the Orange Beach Community Center, 27235 Canal Rd., just east of Hwy. 161. If you have questions, give the library a call at 251-981-2923.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

Seldom will you find a two-day festival with such variety—variety of entertainment, variety of educational and historical exhibits, variety of cultures, variety of time periods, variety of edible delights. But that’s exactly what you and your family will be treated to at the 11^th Annual Heritage Harbor Days on November 5 and 6, 2011.

Huge variety of fun! Heritage Harbor Days in Foley, Alabama, November 5 and 6, 2011.

At Heritage Park in Foley (corner of Highways 59 and 98), discover antique tractors from family farms, take a ride on the L&N Depot event train, and thrill the children with a photo opportunity with Thomas the Tank Engine (Saturday only, 10:00, 11:30 and 2:00). Hear stories of the wagon-train days as you sample food prepared in a chuckwagon by cowboy poet/humorist/cook Kent Rollins. Watch for Davy Crockett, who will share tales of his adventures as he walks about the festival grounds.

Visit the many “buildings” of Heritage Village, an open replica of early 20^th-century Foley. Explore a school, doctor’s office, home, general store, sewing shop and candle maker’s work area. Gather in the town square for music of the era and storytelling about Foley’s yesteryear.

Stage acts are scheduled non-stop on two main stages plus the Children’s Village. Banjos, bodhrins, fiddles and spoons share the stage with the Mexican Folkloric Dancers and Native American Dancers. Bluegrass and folk songs are interspersed with popular music of today, including Broadway, and the Navy Band will highlight patriotic music. Sunday’s Children’s Village stage line-up brings storytellers, dancers, martial arts, pageantry and batons. Check out the full entertainment line-up at the festival website.

Watch the experts shuck oysters and teach you how to eat them. Once you’ve mastered that skill, round out mealtime with favorite yummies such as gyros, po-boys, kabobs, corn dogs, funnel cakes, lemonade, waffle-cone ice cream treats, kettle corn, pork rinds and much more.

Experience the history of Foley at Heritage Village during Heritage Harbor Days.

Many local arts and crafts experts will be offering their handiwork, so be prepared to make at least a couple of trips back to your car with gifts for yourself, your friends and your family. And just when you think you’ve experienced all there is at the festival, the organizers toss one more popular family activity your way: Fireworks at dusk on Sunday create a perfect, timeless way to close out the experience-packed weekend.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola (NAS) is hosting a speaker with a harrowing story to share as part of their Discovery Saturday series on October 22, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

Hear the harrowing tale of survival as one of America's longest-held POWs: Naval Aviation Museum, Saturday, October 22, 2011.

In 1964, Former Navy Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. was the first American pilot to be shot down and held captive by the North Vietnamese. And he is among those Americans imprisoned the longest: 8½ years.

Allow him to take you through his ordeal, from ejecting out of his failing plane to his capture, from solitary confinement to attempted brainwashing, from the Hanoi March and life at the “Hanoi Hilton” to numerous beatings and degrees of torture. And then consider his perspectives on the war, the anti-war protests and more.

Rather than spoil the story for you, head to NAS to learn about it from Commander Alvarez—recipient of the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Purple Heart medals—who has co-authored two books describing his experiences: Chained Eagle and Code of Conduct. Admission is free to the museum and to the presentation.

Since you’ll already be there, you will certainly want to plan for a few hours to discover the amazing wealth of fascinating displays and IMAX movies at the museum, open 9–5 every day.

Actually, you could very easily spend a couple of days enjoying all that the museum has to offer, so why not extend your visit and include a little extra time for the beach? Stay in a beach house in Perdido Key, or maybe a Perdido Key condo would be your preference. You’ll find yourself just a few minutes from the museum, restaurants, shopping and more.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

For four hours on Saturday, October 1, 2011, you can claim German heritage—or at least get a peek at some aspects of it—by attending the 2^nd Annual Perdido Key Oktoberfest.

Sample beer and traditional German foods at Perdido Key Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 1, 2011.

A $15 ticket will allow access to an unlimited sampling of specialty, brewed and imported beers, and you get to keep the official Oktoberfest beer mug. Or with the $25 package, you will also go home with an official event T-shirt. Not interested in the beer sampling? No problem—your admission is free.

Immerse yourself in traditional German foods and the upbeat music of the Oompah band. For even more fun, dress in your best German folk outfit and you could win the grand prize!

You’ll find the festivities in full swing between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. under the tent at the The Oyster Bar on Perdido Key, 13700 River Road, on the northeast side of the bridge. For more information, call 850-492-4660.

Do you need somewhere to stay this weekend? Meyer Vacation Rentals offers many wonderful possibilities across the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast. Take a look at the 1-bedroom properties in Perdido Key that are perfect for couples. Or maybe a 4-bedroom Perdido Key property will best suit your family for a weekend or week of family fun that includes Oktoberfest and the beach.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.