Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro celebrates 40 years this Labor day weekend.

Here are the plans for the world renown Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, Alabama. Mountain Laurel Inn B&B is 40 minutes away.

* Drawings every hour *
* Balloon-shaper for the kids
* Free popcorn and DJ music


Share Your Treasure Stories!

* Bring in your favorite treasure found at UBC (or a photo) to share with us
* Gifts, prizes and exclusive hour of Labor Day shopping for participants
* Friday and Saturday 11:00-1:00


Walk The Red Carpet!

* Walk the red carpet in your favorite outfit bought at UBC.
* Could be formal, business attire, casual outfit, or even a costume!
* Gifts, prizes and exclusive hour of Labor Day shopping for participants
* Saturday 1:00-3:00


Their website is also fun and inviting. My favorite page is interesting finds at http://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/interestingstuff.html

Orbix Hot Glass Studio in Fort Payne next to Little River Canyon

Gallery Schedule & Class/Event Description/Schedule
Fall/Holiday 2010
________________________________________________________________________

Fall/Holiday Hours

Gallery: Monday thru Saturday 10am – 4pm
(or by appointment)
Hot Shop Hours: These times vary; call in advance


Holiday Schedule
Thanksgiving; Closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25); Open Friday Nov. 26th and Saturday Nov. 27th

Christmas: Open Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) from 8 am to 11 am
Closed Christmas Day (Dec. 25th thru Dec. 27th)
Open Dec. 28 (Tues.) thru Dec. 30th 8 am to 4 pm
Open New Years Eve (Dec. 31) 8 am to 12 pm
Closed New Years Day (January 1st)

Note: Gallery is open on days that classes are held

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Open Studio: Fall 2010 Saturday October 23rd 9am – 5pm
This annual event is the highlight of the Fall at Orbix Hot Glass. Glass-blowing demonstrations take place all day and there are opportunities for you and your family to blow a Christmas ornament. Groups of ten or more are asked to please call and schedule a Blow Your Own Ornament session on a separate date OR to call ahead so we can give you a time slot on this date before ten o’clock or after two o’clock. We will be serving our usual yummy refreshments! Come enjoy the beauty of Lookout Mountain in October and the fun that we always have at our open studio events. Don’t forget to bring your cameras!


Blow Your Own Ornament: Saturday, Oct. 23rd 9am – 5pm
Saturday, Nov. 20th 9 am – 5pm
Saturday, Nov. 27th 9 am – 5pm
Saturday, Dec. 4th 9am – 5pm
Saturday, Dec. 11th 9am – 5pm
Saturday, Dec. 18th 9 am – 5pm
Wed., Dec. 22nd 9am – 5pm

This has become very popular here at Orbix Hot Glass! Come design and literally “blow” your own ornament with the help of one of our glass artists. For this we welcome people of all ages (okay you have to be at least 5 years old). No advance reservations required---just come in and sign up. Cost - $35/ornament.

For groups or individuals wishing to make ten or more ornaments, we ask that you call and schedule a special session on a separate date. OR If you plan on attending on one of the above dates with ten or more people, please call ahead so we can schedule you a time slot before ten o’clock or after two o’clock.



Paperweight Class: Friday, Sept. 24th 5pm – 9pm
Friday, Oct. 8th 5pm – 9pm
Saturday, Oct. 30th 9am – 1pm
Friday, Nov. 12th 5pm – 9pm


This class is designed for those who really just want see what molten glass is all about. Feel the heat, gather from the furnace, sculpt the glass into you own design. It is ultimately about the experience, some experimentation and a couple nice paperweights to take home or to the office to show your friends.

Class size at the largest will be five students so everyone has adequate time at the bench working.

There will be material provided before the class for you to review and become familiar with concerning safety and basic glassblowing vocabulary. Please join us for some in-depth discovery. Cost - $130. 3-5 students; reservations required; 50% non-refundable deposit


Frit Bowl Classes: Saturday, Oct. 9th 9am – 1pm
Saturday, Nov. 13th 9am – 1pm

This is a new class we are offering!! Ok, so maybe you’ve made paperweights but want to step it up a bit and expand your experience working with molten glass. If so, this class is for you. Our team of glass artists will work with you to help you make a bowl that you can proudly display or give as a gift to someone special. Cost $140 per person. Class size is limited to four people and reservations are required; 50% non-refundable deposit.


Studio Tours/Group Events
Looking for a unique event for your club or a group of friends? Come watch one of our glass artists give a private glassblowing demonstration. They’ll answer all your questions about the process (cameras are encouraged!) and you can view the end result of their hard work in our gallery. Cost is $160 for an hour. Maximum group is 30 people. 50% non-refundable deposit required.

Another option for groups is to schedule a date to come Blow Your Own Ornament (see above section for description) Cost - $35/ornament; Minimum of ten ornaments must be blown; $80 non-refundable deposit required


When you check in at Mountain Laurel Inn B&B, we will gladly give you directions to Orbix Hot Glass Studio from the bed and breakfast in Mentone. Contact Orbix at 256.523.3188 to sign up for the classes.

"Cool" Ideas for enjoying time in Mentone, Alabama at Mountain Laurel Inn B&B

Ten ideas for Cool Adventures while staying at Mountain Laurel Inn B&B

1. Hike the ten minute walk to DeSoto Falls from your room at Mountain Laurel Inn.

2. Take a dip in Little River at DeSoto State Park or Eberhart Point on Little River Canyon.

3. Get a dip of ice cream at Mentone Cones in Historic Mentone by the Log Cabin Village.

4. Explore a cool 60 degree environment at wonderful Sequoyah Caverns.

5. Watch the sunset over Brow Park on Cool Street in Mentone.

6. Discover a "miracle" at Miracle Pottery and see a potter at work.

7. Enter into the holy sanctuary at Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel and see a man's dream come true of building a church on a 20 foot boulder.

8. Zipline through the trees at Little River Canyon at night or in the day.

9. Be mesmerized by the Hot Glass Blowers at Orbix Hot Glass Gallery in Lickskillet.

10. Relax on the porch at Mountain Laurel Inn while being serenaded by the cicados and tree frogs (limited engagement so come soon).

What do you think is cool to do in Mentone these hot, dog days of summer?

Mentone Wildflowers and Spring Fling Art Show this weekend

Adventures in Mentone abound this weekend so come rest, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet at Mountain Laurel Inn B&B. Mention this email at time of reservation as May day and receive $20 off your two night stay or receive two Mountain Laurel Inn handmade mugs upon arrival(offer expires 5/8/10).

Wildflowers are blooming, the river is flowing and artists are on the show this weekend. Here are some special events to enjoy on Friday and Saturday.

Friday, April 30th at Orbix Hot Glass Studio: A Paperweight Class This class is designed for those who really just want see what molten glass is all about. Feel the heat, gather from the furnace, sculpt the glass into you own design. It is ultimately about the experience, some experimentation and a couple nice paperweights to take home or to the office to show your friends. Class size at the largest will be five students so everyone has adequate time at the bench working. There will be material provided before the class for you to review and become familiar with concerning safety and basic glassblowing vocabulary. Please join Cal Breed and crew for some in-depth discovery. Reservations Required $130 per person. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 256-523-3188 http://www.orbixhotglass.com/

Saturday and Sunday May 1st and 2nd Spring Fling Art Show and Party The Mentone Area Arts Council and the Mentone Springs Hotel presents a wonderful art show and sale at the Tall Meadow Rue Chapel and Town Square in downtown Mentone. There will be over 40 artists from across the southeast showing off their work. Show times are Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday night will be the “Spring Fling” party. It will be on the lawn of the hotel with music, food, dancing, and great fun. Call & get your tickets for the party in advance. 256-634-4040 There is no charge for the Art Show at Rue Chapel.

Saturday, May 1st Bilingual Spanish-English Hike This easy hike and program is designed for individuals who are fluent and learning Spanish. Little River Canyon Center 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 256-782-5697

Saturday, May 1st 18th Annual Wildflower Saturday at DeSoto State Park There are few places lovelier than DeSoto State Park in May. Join DeSoto’s Brittney Hughes, and several others for this incredible day of flora. Includes multiple botany hikes throughout the day. Meet at the Nature Center 9 a.m., 1 p.m., & 3 p.m. Free to the Public 256-997-5025

Saturday, May 1st Night Zip Line Adventure with True Adventure Sports. This is an adventure of a lifetime. All our zip lines are set up just before the adventure to ford a gorge or cross from one high point to another. Our cable zip line spans 250 feet over a ravine and whisks you on an adventure through the woods where your only light source is a headlamp and tiki torches. Pre-registration required at True Adventure Sports by 6 pm the day before the adventure. Meet at True Adventure Sports $45 per person. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 256-997-9577 www.trueadventuresports.com

Need some time away and someone to fix an award winning breakfast for you? Call or email Mountain Laurel Inn today so you can enjoy a wonderful weekend on Lookout Mountain in Mentone. Bed and Breakfast Reservations - Mentone Alabama Bed and Breakfast Inn Sammie’s waiting for you to come and play.

Orbix Hot Glass on Lookout Mountain in Fort Payne near Mentone.

Open Studio at Orbix Hot Glass -
Spring 2010 Saturday, April 24 9am until 5pm
Twice a year Cal Breed opens his Studio for a day of glass blowing fun!
Demonstrations take place all day and there are opportunities for you and your family to blow an ornament ($35/ornament). Be sure to stop by and see the new “wall flowers”, perfume bottles, one-of-a-kind tumblers (at very affordable prices) and other new items that the Orbix Team has created. We will be serving our usual yummy refreshments. Come enjoy the beauty of Lookout Mountain and Mentone in the Spring, and the fun that we always have at our open studio events. Don’t forget to bring your cameras!
Mountain Laurel Inn B&B has written directions for guests to find Orbix Hot Glass after enjoying their full breakfast. Enjoy the natural beauty of Little River Canyon after visiting the studio.

Orbix Hot Glass
3869 County Road 275
Ft. Payne, AL 35967
256-523-3188

Mentone Educational Resources Foundation has "Leave Me in Mentone" t-shirts for sale at Mountain Laurel Inn B&B

MERF (Mentone Educational Resources Foundation) is a non-profit in Mentone, Alabama that is striving to discover and expand the resources of the community in order to enrich the lives of all involved. Short sleeve and long sleeve "Leave Me In Mentone" t-shirts are sold to fund the varied programs such as tutoring, the community house upkeep, field trips for local students, teacher workshops for Moon Lake Elementary School teachers and weekly senior lunches. T-shirts are for sale at local businesses such as Little River Hardware, Crow's Nest Antiques and Mountain Laurel Inn B&B. Become our fan on facebook and see what we are up to in Mentone, AL.

The Pocket widlfowers on Easter Sunday

Went back to The Pocket at Pigeon Crockford Mountain in Lafayette, Georgia. Wildflowers were blooming. Here are some pics of Virginia Bluebells, Trailing Trillium and the yellow Chrysanthemum(I think). Red buds were also blooming. Great time to take a hike on Lookout Mountain.