Mountain View
Doc Lawrence
Statesboro Avocado Soup
When celebrating Father's Day, it's a tradition to honor Dad with a feast filled with his favorite dishes. This special meal is not just about the food, but also about spending quality time with loved ones. It's a time to show appreciation for all that fathers do and to create lasting memories together.
Sweet Georgia Honey
"She’s as Sweet as Tupelo Honey, Just Like an Angel, baby, from the Bee" Tupelo honey belongs to us. It’s only commercially produced in a specific geographic region of South Georgia and the Florida panhandle where the White Tupelo tree thrives. During the annual Tupelo Honey festival at Wewahitchka, Florida, beekeepers compete to determine which state has the the best Tupelo honey.
Natural Beauty: Olivia's Georgia Flowers
Stone Mountain, Ga- Eric Legee, the celebrated, cerebral folk artist who lives and paints in Rabun Gap, Georgia, observed that “[t]he artist who paints flowers spreads beauty and happiness. Each brushstroke captures the delicate petals and vibrant hues of blossoms, bringing joy and inspiration to those who view the artwork.” Olivia Thomason, a renowned Georgia folk artist who paints from her studio in this historic village just east of Atlanta, has for many years been painting her interpretaions of roses, lilies, magnolias, zinnias and local wildflowers. Many of her florals adorn the walls of homes here and throughout the country. They confirm her ability to convey the essence of nature's beauty onto canvas.
Memorial Day BBQ: Big Jim's Rockin' Ribs
Traditionally, the Memorial Day holiday weekend is the year’s first barbecue event at my home. Family and friends here and throughout the nation gather to enjoy great food, appropriate drinks and stimulating conversation. Of course, there’s solemnity: my family, like millions of others, served America in the uniforms of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and as wartime nurses. We are grateful for their sacrifices and encourage sharing stories about them when we gather.
Cherishing Mothers: Celebrating Love, Sacrifices, and Appreciation on Mother's Day
Mother's Day is much more than a celebration of mothers—it’s a day to honor and appreciate the women who have played a significant role in our lives. It is a time to reflect on the love, sacrifices, and unwavering support that mothers provide. Mother's Day serves as a reminder to express our gratitude and love for these incredible women who have nurtured and shaped us into the individuals we are today.
Atlanta's Dining Heritage: Joe Dale's to Paschal's - A Retrospective of Iconic Restaurants
The call from a big media editor triggered memories of delicious meals, gregarious hosts and terrifically interesting venues. “What do you remember about Atlanta’s older restaurants? Were any truly distinctive?” she asked. I remembered enough to start a conversation and even surprised myself that some were still around. The idea was to produce a retrospective: Good places to dine in an earlier version of Atlanta, perhaps making the case that the city has enjoyed a rich dining heritage long before today’s boom with the revolving door of restaurant openings and closings.
Delicious Red Beans & Rice + Praline Bread Pudding
My first red beans and rice experience was in New Orleans. It was by accident I entered Buster Holmes restaurant in the French Quarter, a naive, hungry 17 year-old college freshman unaware that this humble place was legendary for its food, specifically for flavors and authenticity.
Slotin Folk Art Auction: Self-Taught Art Masters
Georgia like most of the South is blessed with an abundance of folk artists: painters, woodcarvers, muralists, potters, quilters and more whose vernacular works incorporate a wide variety of themes from Biblical to pagan and popular culture. The folk art traditions mirror the evolution of so much of America’s music that was born in the South. Gospel, Blues, Country, Jazz, Bluegrass, Rock and Roll are multicultural marvels, blending African-American and European music into a synthesis uniquely Southern and American.
The Masters: Golf and the $1.50 Pimento Cheese Sandwich
Augusta, Georgia~ The Masters is golf's counterpart to the World Series and the Super Bowl. Azaleas border manicured greens and majestic pines remind guests they are in Georgia. Tradition is hallowed and deeply manitained: the Green Jacket, the legacy of Bobby Jones and a welcoming spirit rooted in hospitality. Tickets? Always sold out. Lodging is expensive and nearly unobtainable.
Easter Dinner Down South
Easter dinner is a joyous celebration that brings together loved ones to partake in delicious food and cherish each other's company. It symbolizes the resurrection and renewal of life, making it a time for reflection and gratitude. The dining table becomes a focal point for sharing stories, laughter, and creating lasting memories with family and friends. The feast invokes a sense of tradition and togetherness. It's a time when generations gather around the table, sharing not just food but also stories, laughter, and love. As the aroma of delicious dishes fills the air, the spirit of Easter infuses the room with warmth and gratitude, creating a sense of unity that transcends time and space.
Easter Egg Hunt: Fun, Food, and Festivities in Stone Mountain Village
Stone Mountain, Ga-The annual Easter Egg Hunt, a highly- anticipated community event, takes place on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Hosted by Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church, popularly known as “The Village Church,” in partnership with Stone Mountain Baptist Church, the fun begins at 10 a.m. through noon, “rain or shine,” and includes a traditional Easter Egg Hunt, grilled hot dogs, crafts, games and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
The Irish Priest Who Saved The Churches-A St. Patrick's Day Story
Atlanta’s Church of the Immaculate Conception is just a block away from Georgia’s Capitol. I began visiting there many year’s ago, a St. Patrick’s Day ritual to pay homage to Father Thomas O’Reilly, the Irish preist who saved Atlanta’s Churches from General Sherman’s torches in 1864.
Visions On Canvas-Olivia Thomason Paints The South
The visionary nature of folk art allows it to transcend boundaries and resonate with diverse audiences, captivating viewers with its authenticity and emotional depth. Some of the most skilled channel their inner visions and beliefs into their creations, communicating universal truths that often evoke profound emotions in others.
Hemingway's Culinary Legacy: Paella, Flan & Good Wine
These recipes are influenced by the life and works of Ernest Hemingway. Not enough has been told about his very sophisticated palate. The cuisine of France, Spain, Italy, Cuba and, of course, America fascinated him. Whether a Parisian sidewalk café, the Paris Ritz, a Madrid restaurant or one of his favorites in Key West, Havana or at one of his homes, the feast would be bountiful and outstanding wines would be served.
Work Like You Don't Need The Money-A Baseball Story
“Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching.” Satchel Paige. Baseball, I believe, is the game that most closely fits the American cultural landscape. Its roots run deep even back to the Civil War when legend has it that Confederate prisoners actually played the game with their captors.
Baseball Memories: The Atlanta Crackers and Ponce de Leon Park
“Of course, there are those who learn after the first few times. They grow out of sports. And there are others who were born with the wisdom to know that nothing lasts. These are the truly tough among us, the ones who can live without illusion, or without even the hope of illusion. I am not that grown-up or up-to-date. I am a simpler creature, tied to more primitive patterns and cycles. I need to think something lasts forever, and it might as well be that state of being that is a game; it might as well be that, in a green field, in the sun.” Bart Giamatti.
Doc Lawrence
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Veteran journalist, editor and publisher (Nationwide News), and published author specializing in food, wine, drinks, visual and performing arts, travel and cultural tourism. Screenplay creator, "Requiem for a Wine Taster," in production.
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