Mountain View
Doc Lawrence
The Jack & Bell Buckle: BBQ, Whiskey & Hospitality
For one weekend every year, the smallest town in whiskey becomes the biggest scene in barbecue. More than 40,000 folks travel to lovely Lynchburg, Tennessee to enjoy watching barbecue teams from around the world compete in The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue, popularly known as “The Jack.”
Georgia's Delicious Brunswick Stew + Classic Recipe
Each January for the past 13 years the annual Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee has been held at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Georgia’s charming coastal city of Brunswick. Cooking teams compete to see who has the best stew. Not just any stew but Brunswick Stew, described on a historical monument in the city as a dish created there. The weekend event features live music, a parade, a classic car show, and “sampling the ‘Best Brunswick Stew’ in the nation.”
Faith & Blue: Uniting Church, Police and Community
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. Faith & Blue was inaugurated in 2020 by Movement Forward, Inc., working in cooperation with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the U.S. Department of Justice. The idea was a simple but powerful one — the ties that bind police officers and residents must be reinforced if we are to build and maintain neighborhoods where everyone feels safe, secure and included.
Tunes By The Tracks & Village Church Cookout-This Weekend
This is festival season when we go outside and celebrate all our blessings with food, music, friendship and lots of goodwill. Here, in Stone Mountain Village, we really do this well. Friday nights, there’s Tunes by the Tracks, a party that features live outdoor music where you can tap your toes, sing along and even dance. It begins at 7 pm but you really should come earlier to park and find a spot so you can enjoy everything. Lawn chairs are handy, so bring them for extra comfort.
Shrimp Remoulade (with Recipe)
Someone asked William Faulkner after he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature why he only wrote about the South? “It’s all I know,” replied the author. Food traditions necessarily connect to place and heritage and mine is Southern. However, life has presented opportunities like travel that broadened the palate.
The Honky Tonk-Blues, BBQ & Joy
And we’ll go Honky Tonkin’ ‘round this town.”. Listening to Hank Williams' “Honky Tonkin’” or the Rolling Stones classic “Honky Tonk Women” brings memories of places where some of the best music I’ve ever heard was enjoyed along with copious pours of cold beer. Ray Lee’s Blue Lantern and Knotty Pines in Atlanta, Pal’s Drive In near Thomasville, Georgia, countless places in or near Nashville, bars and clubs in rural Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama along the “Chitlin’ Circuit.”
Stone Mountain & Dr. King's Legacy
Dr. King's historic speech delivered in Washington 60 years ago prominently highlighted the significance of Stone Mountain. This iconic landmark stood as a symbol of the challenges we, as a society, were facing. The mention of Stone Mountain by Dr. King was a powerful metaphor that still resonates deeply.
Fairs, Festivals, Football and Cool Mountain Air
Dog Days, mercifully, are winding down. Just ahead are the gifts of late summer, the celebrations and gatherings rooted in tradition. And, along with these, college football kicks off another season of pageantry, competition, and feasting we call Tailgating.
Howard Finster and Paradise Garden-Georgia's Art Legacy
“You are not alone,” he told me. “God loves you and is always with you.” Those words-which I desperately needed to hear- were spoken by the frail man I did not know. Others, however, were fans and lined up to greet him. Many had art works he would sign.
Chef Virginia Willis-Georgia Born, French Trained
A few years back, I met an interesting young lady during a taping session for a network television show. Virginia Willis was the food stylist and I was a guest on Turner South’s “Home Plate” hosted by Chef Marvin Woods. One thing I recall was how many words of praise there was for Ms. Willis, particularly regarding her relationship with Martha Stewart.
Matthews in Tucker-Breakfast and More
“It’s the safest place in Georgia to enjoy a country breakfast,” Frank Spence often observed. He was referring to the early morning diners at Matthews, the legendary landmark cafeteria in Tucker, Georgia where police officers, fire fighters, sheriff deputies, nurses, utility line crews, coaches and many more have enjoyed eggs, grits, country ham, sausage, salmon patties, gravy, homemade biscuits and hot coffee since the1950’s.
Dog Days Survival - Dining Secrets
The intrigue, charm and folklore of the 40-day period during the summer known as “dog days” continues. Rooted in ancient Greek and Roman history, the centuries have contributed much to the lore. Dog days, a time of extreme heat, happened when Sirius, the Dog Star, rose just before or at the same time as the sun.
Music By The Mountain-The Bobby Darin Cabaret
Bobby Darin never really left us. While he died way too young, his music is solidly embedded in our cultural landscape. So talented as a song stylist that he prompted comparisons with Frank Sinatra. Versatile: Darin sang, composed, danced, played instruments, hosted prime time TV shows and starred in movies.
Beat the Heat Lunch-Shrimp, Grouper and Wine
Down South, the weather will remain hot for many more weeks. Food choices work best when balanced with the season. The excitement of autumn with harvest festivals and tailgating looms near the horizon, but for now, the lazy days of summer call for fresh seafood and chilled drinks. Really good seafood is available and creative recipes showcase flavors that entice, offering a reward of satisfaction especially when we prepare these dishes and select the accompanying beverages.
Tailgating-The SEC, ACC and HBCU
It’s the middle of Dog Days when every moment seems to be torture, and Major League Baseball season is just at the half-way point. But check out the magazine racks: the college football pre-season publications are out with rankings, pre-season predictions, lots of color and trivia and more than a little blarney.
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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