About us – Page 6 – Sunset Properties Blog

September 4, 2015

Alex Goes To College!!!

Earlier this year we had an opportunity to apply for a scholarship to send a staff member to Southeastern Tourism Society Marketing College. This scholarship gave our Alex the opportunity to meet and learn from marketing professionals that specialize in tourism. Alex is our newest full time staff member she has been with us almost three years. Alex came to us with fantastic knowledge of social media and wonderful customer service skills. With these skills we immediately put her covering our marketing. Over the years she has learned and grown so much knowledge. She brightens each and every day and puts her heart and soul into her job. We believed nominating her for this scholarship was a must. Alex naturally was doing great with our marketing so with some professional advancement training we knew she would grow in her job by leaps and bounds.

In her classes Alex learned the difference between marketing and advertising, secrets of Travel packaging, how to brand our area as a destination, marketing in the digital world, top trends and economic impact of tourism, how to market with festivals and events and creating brochures. Already Alex has put her knowledge to work and is improving and making changes in our marketing strategies.

Alex joined other marketing specialists from all over the southeast in this week long intensive study to market tourism industry businesses and tourist destinations. She made some great friends and contacts in this field and is looking forward to next year and the knowledge will be added to the foundation she received in this first round of classes.

August 28, 2015

Beach Vacation From the Rental Company’s Point of View

For the longest time no one I knew friends, family, strangers believed that my job was an actual real job as an assistant manager for a property management company at the beach. Everyone thought I just checked a few people in each day then had the rest of the time to go and play in the sugar white sand and emerald green water. There are so many more things involved. Some are fun, some very time consuming, some frustrate you to no end and others give you a laugh every time you think of them. More often than not we are playing a counselor in some form or fashion listening to people who really need a getaway from their everyday life.

My first funny experience was a couple of guys who just walked in off of the street. They were already feeling really good and continued to drink once they checked in. They went up to their room and came right back down because they did not remember what their room number was and their keys were coded. I told them their room number and even wrote it down for them. I ran into them again at the elevator later and once again they unsure which room to go to. I had them wait right there while I grabbed a sharpie and wrote their room number on their hands. They were sure not to get lost now.

The very time consuming situations come into play when people simply refuse to read the information that we send them. This leads to very long phone conversations about what to bring and what there is to do in the area. Not to mention we have to deal with the angry calls from people who did not know what they rented or where they are going, or where to get the keys for their rental. Take ten minutes and read or watch the videos they will save much confusion.

The most frustrating thing that I have had to deal with is the guest that calls with lots of complaints but does not allow us to attempt to fix them. We try very hard to send you into a property where everything works and it is clean and beautiful for your stay. However if we miss something please give us a chance to make it right. It typically only takes a moment and we can make your stay that much more enjoyable.

One of those situations that will make you laugh every time you think of it is different for each of us. For me it is some of the funny things kids say when they are so excited at check in. Or the dogs enjoying their first trip to the beach and playing in the water. For my bosses it is the people who called and being very serious asked them to turn the waves down that they were too loud and they could not sleep. Sometimes the requests we get are over the top and there is absolutely nothing we can do. Sometimes we are so frustrated we want to run screaming out the door but most of the time we love our job just like you. Helping people have a wonderful vacation well its one of the best, most challenging jobs I have ever had.

July 24, 2014

First Floor and Fantastic!!! Indies 104

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath condominium is equipped with every comfort and convenience you would need for the perfect vacation. This condo is located in the perfect spot to have easy pool access and great views of the water. Free wireless internet access is available for each guest in this unit. The

kitchen is fully equipped and features granite counter tops, GE Profile appliances and a full-size pantry. The kitchen is open to the living and dining room. The living room features comfortable seating, flat screen TV with awesome views of the Gulf of Mexico. The dining room features seating for 4 at the dining room

table and seating for 4 at the breakfast bar. The over-sized master bedroom features views of the Gulf of Mexico out the sliding glass door, a king size bed, flat screen TV, DVD, walk-in closet, private master bath w/double vanity sink and garden tub. The 2nd bedroom features also

features a king bed, flat screen TV, DVD, and views of Mobile Bay. The 3rd bedroom sleeps 3 with a bunk bed that has a full on bottom and a bed on top, flat screen TV, and DVD. There is also a sleeper sofa that sleeps 2 more comfortably.

This property sleeps up to 9. The generously large balcony looks directly over the Gulf of Mexico and features comfortable patio furniture. The condo’s interior is decorated with comfortable high-end furniture. Appliances include cordless phones, high-speed internet, stainless steel refrigerator w/ ice maker, dishwasher, microwave, stove and cook top, washer/dryer, coffee maker, toaster, blender, mixer and all of the cookware you could ever need. No smoking and no pets allowed. Come sit on the balcony and watch the beautiful sunsets.

May 2, 2014

In Memory of a Fallen Hero

April 24 of this year the new flag and flag pole at The Indies was dedicated to SSGT Don Franklin Worley for his service in Laos during the Vietnam War.

SSGT Worley, was part of a secret project that was not recognized until the 90’s by the federal government. His remains were never returned to his family nor were any of those who served with him. Finally as a recognized Veteran, SSGT Worley was honored with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his bravery and service in Laos.

SSGT Worley is the father of Mark Worley one of the contract maintenance men who works at The Dunes, The Indies, Navy Cove, and in The Dunes Subdivision through Sunset Properties. Mark was 10 and his brother Greg was 6 and sister Tammy was 4 when their father was lost at war. Mark is now part of our

family here in Fort Morgan and The Indies board led by Mr. Lee Hicks wanted to honor this fallen hero. This ceremony brought together owners, workers and management from the different individual entities in our community. It was truly a community building service. Mark worked for years petitioning to have his father recognized by the government and to have his name added to the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

In the Ceremony hosted by Lee Hicks an Indies owners the flag was raised to half-mast as he spoke of the war and SSGT Worley’s service and family. Another owner, in the subdivision, Robert Vaughan, played his bugle in honor of SSGT Worley at this sunset ceremony.

A head stone was placed at the bottom of the flag pole in memory and honor of SSGT Don Worley. Please take a moment to pay your respects to SSGT Don Franklin Worley next time you are here as part of the Dunes Community!

January 10, 2013

Christmas To Mardi Gras At The Beach!

Each year we decorate our office and Christmas tree in a very beautiful and frankly elaborate way not only for us but our neighbors, friends and guests. To me it is fun to have the lights up and all of the decorations. I get to really enjoy Christmas even though I am rarely at home to see my own tree. After the New Year rings in our tree converts to a Mardi Gras tree. I didn’t realize many people do not know anything about Mardi Gras.

So for a very brief explanation Mardi Gras! It was brought to the U.S. By the French. This is a celebration of, well, excess! This is a holiday that grew from a Catholic celebration of having rich food and celebrations prior to giving up those things for lent. The Mardi Gras tradition actually started just across the Bay in Mobile. It has changed greatly over the years and morphed into months of balls given by societies or Krews and Parades. Locally, we typically have a Mardi Gras Parade in each city until you get to Mobile where they have days of parades and the kids get out of school to enjoy the festivities. Mardi Gras Activities are Family Friendly at the beach. So if you have a weekend to getaway come down and enjoy the parades around town. At the Sunset Properties office we are much more relaxed we have our pretty tree and we never turn down sweets around here! We hope to see you soon. Below is the parade schedule for the area!

LuLu’s Krewe De Lu Roux Mardi Gras Ball
Feb 6, 2013 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
LuLu’s at Homeport Marina

Mystical Order of Mirams Parade
Feb 8, 2013 6:30 PM
Begins at Wintzell’s

Mystics of Pleasure Mardi Gras Parade
Feb 9, 2013 5:30 PM
Begins at Wintzell’s and ends at Zeke’s Marina

Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
Feb 12, 2013 10:00 AM
Begins at Hwy 59 from bottom of Intracoastal Canal Bridge and ends at Main.

Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade
Feb 12, 2013 2:00 PM
Begins at Wintzell’s and ends at Hwy 161, Orange Beach

LuLu’s 9th Anniversary Celebration and Mardi Gras Boat Parade
Feb 12, 2013 3:00 PM
Intracoastal Canal-Begins at The Wharf and ends at Lulu’s.

June 22, 2012

Sunset Properties’ Becky Is Heading Back To School

Our beloved office manager Becky has started out on a new adventure. She told me it was always her dream to earn a college degree! We think Becky is wonderful as is but this is her dream and Sunset Properties owners try to support our dreams as much as possible. After much searching and discussion with the powers that be, Becky has begun her classes at Columbia Southern University!

Columbia Southern is one of the nation’s first completely online universities, established to meet the demand for alternatives to the traditional university experience. All degree programs are offered completely online, giving you the flexibility to fit your education around career and family commitments.

With CSU, Becky can take schedule shifting and time management conflicts out of the equation. Open enrollment and self-paced programs make rearranging her life to attend a class or take a test a thing of the past. With Becky’s unpredictable schedule and multiple jobs, CSU is a perfect fit for her to advance her career and knowledge. With CSU’s 24-hour access to course assignments, online forums, web lectures, interactive software, and audio and visual examples she is excited about the opportunity to earn her degree.

Becky is spending her evenings and early mornings reading and studying and her coursework and taking test. In not to terribly long she will have an Associates Degree in Business with an emphasis in Travel Tourism. So now she will have the knowledge she has earned in real life and the book knowledge she is gaining to make your stay one of you favorite memories. We are so proud of our Becky! Be sure to cheer Becky on as she works toward her Dream!!!

June 3, 2012

May in Pictures from Sunset Properties!

We wanted to share the happenings this past May in a different way! We hope you enjoy these photos! See you soon…

Manta Rays migrating down The Dunes beach

: Sterling and Mickey

Becky and Tony at Graduation — Becky at Tony's Graduation

Some of the biggest fish caught we've seen in some time. Thanks Kendall!

Jim showed us one of the beautiful benefits of fishing

Tara and Teresa at The Hangout Music Festival

May 8, 2012

How To Live In Ft. Morgan

At least once a week, someone tells me they are hoping to move to this area. They love the Country at the Beach! It is one of their life goals to live here! There are a few things to consider, however, before you make the move. Ideas that you must embrace and make your own to really be a part of the Ft. Morgan Community.

First, you must really like sand! It gets everywhere, on everything, and is just simply everywhere. You must truly think of sand as your friend. It has created your beautiful beach and without it things just wouldn’t be the same in your favorite place to walk, fish, swim, relax and play. So say it with me. I love SAND! Just keep repeating that. Okay, now that you have that simple basic truth down, you have let go of the idea that your new home will be immaculate and sand free, you are well on your way to embracing the relaxed lifestyle of island life. I’m not saying embrace filth! I’m saying that it is not an end of the world crisis if a little sand is around.

Take a deep breath, that first one is really the hardest one! Okay now look at your cell phone, tablet, maybe even laptop. Hug your wireless device. Pay lots of attention to it. Spend all the time you could possibly want with your wireless device where you live now! Once you get to Ft. Morgan they will be used less, and at times useless! Not to mention in constant harms way. With water all around and sand everwhere, these things tend to have a short life here. If fact people have so much fun without them (once they are used to the idea they don’t work well) that they forget them. I mail back or have people turn more cell phones into lost and found each year.

Slow Down enjoy the sunset — Slow down enjoy the sunset

The real trick to living here is taking everything in stride! Remember all things happen for reason. If it rains one day at the beach, you notice the locals love it! That’s because it doesn’t happen often and we know how much our area needs it. The wind blows so hard you feel sand blasted and that’s ok! This is one of the natural ways the beach is cleaned. There is seaweed everywhere on the beach and now its down your swim suit because you wanted to swim. The seaweed is important to our local sea creatures, it acts a nursery to our beaches, and it helps build our protective sand dunes when it washes on shore.

Are you seeing a theme here??? Start enjoying the things around you and let go of the things that are a part of the modern world. In this place of remote beauty we hold on tightly to our natural world and history and don’t take much else really seriously! We use our precious time to enjoy family, friends, sunsets, food, fishing and fun. If this still sounds good to you, pack your bags! Bring your necessities and don’t forget your comfy clothes and shoes! We’ll see you soon.

March 14, 2012

Princess Half Marathon

The Sunset Properties Princesses are at it again! The weekend of February 25th Karen, Tara, Katie and Gwen headed to Disney World to participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon.

While this race is a lot of fun, participants get to take photos with the Disney characters as they run the course–but in reality, the main reason for participating in this race is to raise awareness and funds for leukemia, lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease.

This year’s run was a little more special to us because we ran in honor of one of our condo owner’s, Mrs. Adryn Davis. Mrs. Davis a beloved wife, mother, sister, and daughter lost her battle with leukemia earlier this year. Our hope was to take this trip to celebrate and honor the life of Mrs. Davis who was a true Princess in our eyes!

For more news about the Disney Half Marathon or Sunset Properties, please follow our blog or call use at 1.888.877.9270!

August 11, 2011

2011 Sunset Properties Photo Contest Winners

We wanted to say a special Congratulations to our Winners and Honorable Mentions for our 2011 Photo Contest. We appriciate your time an efforts in entering this contest and sharing your beautiful memories and great talent! Enjoy these great photos below.

1st Place: Jessica Mooney ” Baby Jake”