The Heritage Harbor Days festivals of previous years have brought sister cities to Foley from as faraway as Guymon, Okla., Grapevine, Texas, and Ozark, Mo.

But this year's 7th Annual Heritage Harbor Days will welcome a city that, in one regard, is just barely out of the state of Alabama.

Winchester, Tenn., hometown of the late Dinah Shore, will be coming to Foley from Nov. 2-4, 2007, to share its culture with citizens of Foley and South Baldwin.

According to a press release issued recently by the Foley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Winchester is known for its friendliness and hospitality. The city, surrounded by mountains, dogwoods, lakes and rolling farm land, is southeast of Nashville and just minutes away from Huntsville.

FCVB recently hosted a delegation from Winchester and gave the visitors a sneak preview of what's in store for them in November. The Winchester delegation, which numbered 15, according to FCVB Executive Director Kathy Danielson, met with the Heritage Harbor Days Steering Committee and toured the L&N Depot, Model Train Display and Hotel Magnolia. The two-day visit concluded with a seafood dinner and program at Orange Blossom Square.

"We had a ball," said Danielson, who noted the cultural sharing with Winchester came together after she made a "cold call" to Winchester after reading about their Dogwood Festival on the Internet.

As Danielson puts it, the person she contacted on that call said, "We want to be your next city," before the call ended.

"I think they (Winchester) rival Ozark (Mo.) in their community spirit," Danielson said. She describes Winchester as being "nestled in the foothills of the Tennessee mountains" and having many dogwood tree nurseries. As a matter of fact, Winchester has patented dogwoods, according to Danielson.

Members of the FCVB Board and other officials made a trip to Winchester in late March or early April. As part of the cultural exchange with Winchester, after they visit Foley this November, Foley will take its traditional 150 or so from this area and visit Winchester in April 2008 and be a part of their Dogwood Festival.

While the details of Winchester's three-day visit later this year are still being worked out, Danielson said Tennessee walking horses and country music will no doubt be a part of the events. And a visit to Foley by the "Alabama Blues Brothers," Alabama brothers who entertain with a tribute to the original Blues Brothers, is in the offering as well.