The Ransom of Red Chief self defense plan

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / May 25, 2016 /

This story can be found in my book, “The Majorettes are back in town” Putting aside the current politically correct, social and ethical storm of the bathroom gender issue, we should step back for a moment and realize that from the instant children were invented, mothers have always worried that some type of boogey man…

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Betsy’s charismatic cottage

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / May 23, 2016 /

  After years of fast-paced action raising two boys and operating a large real-estate office with her husband in South Florida, Betsy Adams settled into what has to be, one of the most charming cottages in Fairhope, Alabama.   What started out as a plain, two bedroom house soon became a cozy home that’s just…

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Lane cake’s a ‘Lame’ cake for our state dessert

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / May 18, 2016 /

In my never ending quest to sprinkle a touch of class on our dinner table conversation, I approached the topic of current events and informed my son and husband that the Lane cake had recently been named the official State Dessert of Alabama, to which my son replied, “Lame cake?” and my husband said, “Is…

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No Privacy!

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / May 11, 2016 /

  Let’s face it. Privacy is dead. Our laundry is being aired whether dirty or not, and we can’t always pin the blame on social media. The last haven of modesty and decorum has slowly eroded to the point that now, even the doctor’s office is a berth of lax security and breech of trust…

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Bye Bye Birdie on the Bluff

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / May 9, 2016 /

Well, Conrad Birdie definitely had the chicks a-screaming on the Fairhope Bluff as Bye Bye Birdie played for three straight nights to huge crowds in Henry George Park.   To top off the stellar performances was the five-star weather we’ve been enjoying here on the Gulf Coast. Picnic blankets and lawn chairs crowded together to…

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Tips for a perfectly proper audience

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / May 4, 2016 /

This story can be found in the book, “The Majorettes are back in town and other things to love about the South.” Well, well, well … what have we here? Could it be a springtime graduation or recital? How about an end-of-the-year awards ceremony? It’s a good thing the Alabama chapter of the Committee for…

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My secret love of . . . gas station food

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / April 23, 2016 /

Forgive me, for I have sinned against the handbook of fancy Southern ladylike behavior. I can’t help myself, but I love sneaking off and eating . . . gas station food.   I’m not referring to the new trend in gas stations where they’ve installed real restaurants with professional chefs. Such places have sprung up…

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Is it still acceptable to give parenting advice?

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / April 15, 2016 /

I could have drastically changed her life for the better in five minutes, but modern, politically correct rules prevented me from interfering, so instead, I kept quiet and helplessly watched as she got the ever-living daylights beat out of her by her four-year old son.   Looking totally clueless to his actions, the mother ignored…

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Yarn bombing in Fairhope!

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / April 13, 2016 /

Now that it’s official, I can let you in on a big surprise . . .   Fairhope is in the direct path of a yarn bomb!   In yet another clever effort to art-you-up-one-side-and-down-the-other, the Eastern Shore Art Center — ESAC, in conjunction with the Committee for Public Art — COPA, will sponsor “Art…

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Dianne Bentley is a class act

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / April 6, 2016 /

While Alabama’s Governor and his former advisor are caught in the turmoil of their recent naughtiness, there’s at least one character in this tragic tale that has come out smelling like a rose. Former First Lady Dianne Bentley is the example of a classy Southern lady who has remained steadfast in the midst of the…

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