Town of Dauphin Island 2020-24 Administration Sworn Into Office
Mayor Jeff Collier and newly-elected Council Members Gene Fox, Trey Alderman, Earle Connell, Rich Colberg and Clinton Collier each took the oath of office on Monday, November 2 and will serve the Dauphin Island community for the next four years. Dauphin Island was one of only several municipalities in south Alabama where only one candidate ran in each position, thus avoiding the need for an election. Dauphin Island incorporated in 1988.
Veterans Day Ceremony Set
The DI Veterans Association (DIVA) has scheduled its annual Veterans Day ceremony at Water Tower Plaza at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. As part of the program, the name of retired Navy Chief Petty Officer George H. Grant will be added to the Memorial Wall. Please plan to attend this solemn and patriotic event. Note: DIVA will not be holding it’s annual benefit auction this year.
A Memorable Hurricane Sally Story
(Note: The following letter was sent by Sharon Schneider & Bert Eversole, visitors from Metamora, Indiana) We just wanted to give a huge thank you to Michael (Officer Mike Connick) and Danny (Public Safety Officer Danny Gothard) for putting their lives at risk to save ours during Hurricane Sally (they were renting a house on Port Royal Street). The worst began at 1am when we were awoken by a loud banging sound and we jumped up to find the attic door opening and slamming down. At this point, we noticed how bad things were getting with the wind blowing furiously and the dock already appearing to be torn apart by the wind and waves. We got our shoes and jackets on, had cell phones in hand, ready for whatever may happen and began to discuss what to do. Things stayed the same for the next hour or so, when suddenly we heard a loud crash! We jumped up, opened the bedroom door and saw the living room ceiling falling in and the roof being torn off. The house was shaking violently, wind and rain were coming in and pieces of the roof and house were continuing to crumble. Not knowing if the house was going to keep standing, we called the island police for help. After several failed attempts to get through, we called 911. That dispatcher asked if we needed to be rescued by car or boat but not being able to see anything in front of the house, we had no idea. She was able to contact the island police and help was finally being sent, which was Michael and Danny. We had the most excruciating 30 minutes of our lives, huddled together on the bedroom floor, not knowing if they could make it to us, and if so, would it be in time? Seeing the lights from the fire truck was a momentary relief. As Michael & Danny made it up the outside steps, Bert went to the sliding glass doors to remove debris that had fallen so that they could get in and struggled to open it against the force of the wind. As it opened, the wind came through the house with such force that glass shattered all over the living room floor. As they rounded the corner to make their way into the house, Michael said another piece of the roof blew off over their heads. Once inside, they assessed the situation and tried to figure out an exit strategy for the four of us, even contemplating kicking out the glass door that was bowed in. The decision was made for Danny and Bert to open the door together and go out in a four-person chain with Danny in the lead and Michael in the rear. Once we exited the house, the wind and rain were so loud and blinding that it made it near impossible to navigate the steps down to the driveway. Getting to the bottom, we waded through knee deep flood waters to get to the fire truck, where we finally felt some safety. This story has a happy ending, however if not for the bravery and sacrifice of Michael and Danny, it could have had a much different ending. We truly owe our lives to them and will forever be grateful. (Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention…the couple got engaged approximately 12 hours prior to being rescued!).
Council Adopts 2020-21 Budget
The town council recently approved its FY2020-21 balanced budget totaling $4,378,247. Leading revenue producers include sales tax ($1,191,147), lodging tax ($950,000), and ad valorem (property) tax ($500,000) while salaries (approx. $1.6 million) make up the largest single expense item. The budget also includes a pay increase for all full & part-time town employees. In a year cluttered with financial challenges including the ongoing pandemic and impacts from multiple tropical systems, our 2019-20 budget faired remarkably well. Hopefully, the year ahead will prove to be smooth sailing!
News From Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council
FOURTH ANNUAL GULF SEAFOOD GALA – December 5, 2020 6 pm – 9 pm at Isle Dauphine Club-Enjoy an elegant four course sit-down dinner with family and friends at this year’s Gala! Gulf seafood entrée selections prepared by Chef Philip Patronas are Oysters Bienville, Shrimp Isle Dauphine, and pan-seared flounder with cream sauce. Appetizers, sides, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Full cash bar will be available, with table service for all food and drinks. Ticket sales are limited to 100. $100 per person, with tables of 2, 4, 6 and 8 available. COVID-19 protocol will be followed. To reserve a table, send an email to info@dauphinislandarts.org, or call / text 251/490-0294. COCKTAILS AND CANVASES – November 20, 2020 6 pm to 9 pm-Join artist Barbara Teare for this popular painting class! At this month’s C&C, you will be painting a beautiful white heron on a canvas bag to enjoy or give to a friend. $40 including all materials. BYOB. To reserve a space, send an email to info@dauphinislandarts.org. The class is limited to 6. Face coverings and social distancing will be required during the class. INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLORS – December 12, 2020 – 10 am – 12 pm Odie Tucker, watercolor artist and new Island resident, will lead this informative and creative class. You will learn the basics of watercolor art and create your own watercolor painting. $50 per person including all materials. To reserve a space, send an email to info@dauphinislandarts.org. The class is limited to 6. Face coverings and social distancing will be required during the class. NOVEMBER GUEST ARTIST AT DAUPHIN ISLAND GALLERY. We welcome watercolorist Herb Wiley as our Guest Artist for November! Visit the Gallery to view and purchase Herb’s wonderful watercolor art. See Gallery hours below.THE NEEDS IN OUR SERVICE AREA are great and the pandemic has created a major setback for us. Please consider giving today and supporting our efforts, which include free children’s art education, the Dauphin Island Native American Festival, adult art classes, Last Friday Art Night (LFAN), and so much more! You can make a tax-deductible donation by mailing a check payable to DIHAC to P.O. Box 114, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, or donate through our website at www.dauphinislandarts.org. THERE IS A HEALING POWER TO ART, and we want to help bring that healing to our small part of the world. As we continue to practice safety measures to help in decreasing the spread of COVID-19, we are happy that the Dauphin Island Gallery (the Lighthouse building) is open to the public on its normal days and business hours – Thursday-Saturday, 10am-4pm, and Sunday, 12:30pm-4:30pm. DAUPHIN ISLAND HERITAGE AND ARTS COUNCIL is a federal 501(c)3 charitable, non-profit organization, providing educational opportunities in the arts, and working to preserve our coastal heritage. Memberships, donations, and purchases at our Gallery help support our programs.
DI Sea Lab Tidbits
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab added a number of programs to the calendar for all ages. Science Fridays, Ocean Saturdays, Family Camp, and Excursions open the door to understanding the oceans and surrounding habitats we live near. Reserve your spot in any of these programs by visiting disl.edu. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s newest citizen science program, CAMEO, gives you a chance to participate in scientific research. CAMEO stands for Citizen’s Archive for Mobile Bay Estuarine Organisms. Its citizen scientists collect data on a number of common and rare fish and invertebrate species in Mobile Bay by participating in DISL’s education program (Discovery Hall) vessel-based classes for students. As a citizen scientist, you will collect data that can be used to help answer scientific questions about Mobile Bay and through participation, will also learn more about Alabama’s coastal environments. Data collected through the program will enable us to answer questions about, and understand how Mobile Bay is changing over time. To learn more, please check out our webpage. To reach us with additional questions, email us at cameo@disl.edu, or call us at 251-861-2141, 7515.
Arts of Dauphin Island
The Board of Directors and artists of Arts of Dauphin Island hope that everyone came through Hurricane Sally with little or no damage to your homes and property. We were very lucky and did not suffer any damage to our Gallery. The Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are located at 1101 Bienville Blvd. Adult art classes are held every Monday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. There is a $10.00 charge per class and all supplies are furnished. Come join us and learn how to paint with acrylics and meet a great group of folks. Please mark your calendar for these next two FUN EVENTS. Christmas will be here before we know it so on Thursday, November 19th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm we will be hosting an adult “Paint Pouring Party. This is a BYOB and costs $30.00 per person. You will learn to “pour” paint on canvases as well as making “poured” glass Christmas Ornaments. Class is limited to 10 people. On Saturday, November 21st from 1:00pm to 4:00pm we are having a “Family Christmas Ornament” making party. We will be using reclaimed wood from Hurricane Sally for this project. This is a Family event, so load up the kids and come and have fun making one of a kind Christmas ornaments!! There is no charge for this event. Social distancing and face masks will be required at all events. Please contact Margie Delcambre at 251-402-0266 or Marsha Barnett at 251-401-0230 to reserve your spot. We are always looking for new artists and volunteers to join our Gallery Family. If you are interested in joining our gallery or becoming a volunteer call Marsha Barnett at the above number.
Graveline Bay Marsh Restoration
Project The Town has successfully secured funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (NFWF GEBF) to conduct the engineering and design phase to restore approximately 25 acres of back-barrier intertidal marsh habitat in Graveline Bay. This phase will take 12-months and includes public outreach, full engineering and design specifications and drawings, and permitting. This project builds upon previous restoration work by the Town of Dauphin Island.
