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April Association Meetings Schedule

Saturday,  April 28th

 9:00 A.M.          Gulf Shores Plantation (Phase I)                              Dome Meeting Room

 9:00 A.M.          Royal Gulf Beach & Racquet Club (Phase II)             High-rise Lobby

11:00 A.M.         Resort Conference Centre (Phase III)                      Dome Meeting Room

 2:00 P.M.          Plantation Palms                                                   Connections

Fort Morgan Ferry Landing To Recieve Upgrade

The Federal Highway Department has appropriated $158,000 for improvements to the ferry landings at Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island.

According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, the Fort Morgan ferry landing will be getting a lighted pedestrian walkway that leads to the ferry ramp.

“The goal is to provide a pedestrian walkway that is separated from parking areas,” said Highway Department spokesman Tony Harris. “This is for people who want to park their vehicles and then ride the ferry.”

The new walkway could be completed by this fall.

 According to Highway Department statistics, in 2011, the two ferries transported 76,776 vehicles on one-way crossings and 229,890 passengers. The ferries made 7,012 one-way trips.

During the spring and summer peak times the Fort Morgan Ferry runs  eight times daily, beginning at 8 A.M. and ending at 7:15 P.M.  The Fort Gaines Ferry runs seven times daily, beginning at 8:45 A.M. and ending at 5:45 P.M.

For about the past two weeks, there’s been a mixture of both groups, but the height of Spring Break will be the week prior and week after Easter.  Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Beach is scheduled for Friday, April 6th (weather permitting). Eggs are being stuffed and baskets are ready. There’ll be lots of prizes on hand and every child will get a “goodie.”

Ike’s Beach Service is back at the Plantation and is set up front of Palms. Kudo’s from MHI to Ike’s for donating boogie boards and other fun stuff as prizes for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Americans Still Looking For Best Deal

Americans are planning to travel more and spend less this spring, according to a recent poll of spring travel intentions by D.K. Shifflet & Associates, Ltd.

“Flash sales and daily deals are catching on with the American consumer,” said Chris Klauda, Shifflet & Associate Vice President. “It’s up to travel marketers to convince unsure Americans to travel to their destinations, accommodations and attractions with a great value offering.”

 It is also notable that a significant proportion of Americans remain unsure about their leisure travel intentions.

Looking ahead, Easter will be the first test of the impact of the cost of gas on leisure travel. Predictions are that this year will differ for past years in that the price per gallon may rise to over $5 or even $6.

As the cost of a drive vacation skyrockets, the most obvious impact and immediate concern is the impact on leisure. Experts say that there are no indicators that the price of gas will fall very quickly.

Spring Events

March 31 – April 12 Spring Bird Banding Session, Fort Morgan

April 27 – 27th Annual Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party, Flora-Bama Lounge

May 5 & 6 – Orange Beach Wine Festival, Caribe The Resort

May 18 – 20 – The Hangout Music Festival, Gulf Shores Public Beach

March 10 & 11 – Orange Beach Festival of Art, Waterfront Park, Orange Beach Art Center

March 16 – 18 – 60th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival, Downtown Fairhope

March 31 - The Original German Sausge Festival, Elberta Town Park

March 31 – April 12 – Spring Bird Banding Session 2012, Fort Morgan

Nora Mandoki, Marilyn Kessler, Pedro Mandoki

Snowbird season is in full swing at the Plantation and Mandoki Hospitality has put out the welcome mat to let our winter visitors know we’re glad they are here. On January 12th over one hundred-fifty homeowners and winter guests gathered at Connections for our January snowbird party. The lively crowd enjoyed a buffet of heavy hors d’ouvres and an open bar. Five lucky winners received a copy of our cookbook, Beach Favorites From Gulf Shores Plantation, and a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

Mardi Gras Madness arrives at the beach on February 17th and continues through February 21st. If you haven’t experienced Mardi Gras revelry, bring the family and enjoy the celebration. Parade schedule follows:

February 17, Mystical Order of Mirams Parade, Orange Beach

February 18, Mystics of Pleasure Parade, Orange Beach

February 20,  The Wharf Kids Mardi Gras Parade

February 20, The Wharf Mardi Gras Parade

February 21, Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade

February 21, Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade

The only snow we’ll see, however, is snow as in “snowbirds.” January 1st is traditionally the heaviest arrival date for winter guests and this week will be fun as we welcome new visitors and catch up with returning  friends.

Our first winter guest party of the 2011-12 season was held December 20th at Connections. Refreshments included boiled shrimp, sandwiches, meatballs, spinach dip, and a choice of desserts accompanied by an open bar. Door prizes were MHI cookbooks, “Beach Favorites From Gulf Shores Plantation,” and holiday dish towels.

2012 Annual Homeowners Meetings Schedule

Saturday, January 14th

9:00 A.M.     Gulf Shores Plantation (Phase I), Dome Conference Room

9:00 A.M.*    Royal Gulf Beach & Racquet Club (Phase II), Kiva Dunes

                    *Breakfast starts at 8:00 A.M., Meeting starts at 9:00 A.M.

1:00 P.M.     Resort Conference Centre (Phase III), Dome Conference Room

Monday, January 16th

9:00 A.M.     Plantation Palms, Connections

You’re Invited

Please join us on January 14th at 5:00 P.M. in Connections as we kick off our 26th year at the Plantation. We’ll be serving drinks and hors d’ouvres and Pedro Mandoki and the MHI management staff will be on hand to answer questions about our rental program and the services we provide for Plantation homeowners.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Attention: Senior Bowl Fans

The 2012 Under Armour Senior Bowl will be held January 28 at Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kick-off is at 3:00 pm.

There will be drinks and hors d’ouvres and Pedro Mandoki and the Mandoki Hospitality Management Staff will be on hand to answer questions about our rental program and the services we provide for Plantation homeowners.

We look forward to seeing you there!

2012 Annual Homeowners Meetings Schedule

Saturday, January 14th

9:oo A.M.     Gulf Shores Plantation (Phase I), Dome Conference Room

9:00 A.M.*    Royal Gulf Beach & Racquet Club (Phase II), Kiva Dunes,

                   *Breakfast starts at 8:00 A.M., Meeting starts at 9:00 A.M.

1:00 P.M.      Resort Conference Centre (Phase III), Dome Conference Roon

Monday, January 16th

9:00 A.M.        Plantation Palms, Connections

As a token of our appreciation for their continued loyalty and support of our company, MHI offered owners who participate in our Rental Program the chance to win. 

Pedro Mandoki draws the winning entry.

Tickets were provided to us by Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism.

1. Short Appraisal: Even if your agent convinces a prospect to buy at your inflated price, the deal may go sour when the appraiser comes a’calling. Over 90% of buyers use some kind of financing, and that requires an independent mortgage appraiser, and the lender will only loan against the figure that appraiser produces.

2. Won’t Show: If the price is too high, you won’t be able to get prospects through the door to even look at the property, no matter what you have done to the interior.

3. Reputation: When a new listing hits the market, agents check it out against the needs of their clients. If your property gets a rep for being overpriced, getting the market’s attention later may take some extreme actions.

4. Helping the Competition: Your overpriced property will make your competitors’ properties look like real bargains, so you are actually helping your competitors’ properties sell FIRST!

5. Days On Market: The longer your house sits on the market, the more “Days On Market” show up on the MLS, and the longer it has to become “stigmatized.” Ever see a home or condo unit that seems to have been for sale forever? Did you wonder what might be wrong with it?

6. Negotiation Purgatory: The longer it’s on the market, the harder the buyers are going to negotiate.

7. Missed buyers: You will lose many buyers who are outside of your price point, but who are buyers looking in the price range in which your property will eventually sell. They’re off to buy your competitor’s property!

If you already have your unit listed for sale and have not had a lot of action on it, there is an opportunity to review your pricing strategy- we’re in low season right now and will be there through January. If you are considering selling your unit, be sure to consult with an agent who is familiar with your unique market and its current values in order to assist you with pricesetting… and no one knows the Plantation like Joe Savage and Mandoki Realty.

Upcoming Events

If you’re an owner who wouldn’t miss out on the holiday festivities here on the coast, here is the schedule of local Yuletide events. Join us as we celebrate this most wonderful time of year!

Trim-A-Tree: through December 23 – Performing Arts Association, Foley. Unique original ornaments, decorations, pottery, jewelry, and fine art created by more than 250 artists and craftsmen from throughout the southeast. Sold on consignment.

Bellingrath’s Magic Christmas in Lights: November 25 – December 31 (Closed Christmas Day), Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore. A coastal tradition. More than three million lights in over 950 displays throughout the 65 acre Garden estate. The home is decorated in holiday finery and poinsettias encompass the Gardens. Nightly choral performances are held on the home’s south terrace.

2nd Annual Christmas Parade & Christmas at the Beach in Gulf Shores: December 3. 2 pm. Parade begins at Gulf Shores Parkway (Highway 59) and Clubhouse Drive and travels south to East Beach Boulevard, ending at the Gulf Shores Public Beach. Floats, throws, music, Gulf Shores schools, clubs, organizations, businesses, and all the classic parade features.

26th Annual Nautical Night of Lights: December 10 – Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf Shores to Orange Beach. 6 pm. Parade departs from Lulu’s and travels the Waterway, ending at Zeke’s Landing.

Orange Beach Christmas Show: December 10 & 11 – Orange Beach Events Center at The Wharf. 10 am – 5 pm. Come enjoy a full day of arts, crafts, decorations, and holiday baked goods.

October 29: The Original German Sausage Festival, Elberta Town Park. Hours: 8 am to 5 pm This is the only place you can get real German Sausage made from a secret recipe developed by the founding fathers of Elberta.  Although the recipe has changed somewhat over the years, the original secret recipe for Elberta’s famous sausage is credited to Alfred Stucki who managed Elberta’s Locker Plant from 1953 until his death in 1973. Arts & crafts, live music, carnival rides and more. The Bier Garten offers a large selection of imported beers.

November 10 – 20: Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival, Various venues. Eleven days and nights of musical maject from legendary songwriters and those new to the business. Locations include The Flora-Bama, LuLu’s, Tacky Jack’s, The Hangout and Rafters.

November 11 & 12: The Blue Angels Homecoming Show, Pensacola NAs. Gates open at 8 am. Aircraft displays, food & beverages, Kids’ Zone, virtual reality experiences, bungee jumping and more. The air show begins at 9:45 am with the Blue Angels slated to fly around 2 pm. Pilots will sign autographs after the show. Attendees may bring chairs, but no coolers, backpacks, food, drink or pets. It is recommended that you bring ear protection.