Mountain View
Doc Lawrence
Hemingway's Gourmet Adventures
This story is a collaboration with the late Jim O’Kon. A renowned architect and designer whose masterpieces included The Carter Presidential Library and Disney World. Jim, as a teenager, actually met Ernest Hemingway in Havana. His wonderful book, "Sitting in Hemingway’s Chair", which I edited and reviewed, is my most authoratative resource for all things about the legendary writer.
Miss Carrie's Thanksgiving Feast
Our mother was a self-taught Southern cook who did not use cookbooks but prepared feasts few could equal. Addresed as "Miss Carrie," her culinary skills were truly remarkable. She possessed an innate talent that allowed her to master the art of Southern cooking. The feasts she confidently prepared were exceptional, surpassing the caliber of many renowned restaurants that specialize in Southern food. Her dedication and commitment to the craft were evident in each and every dish she created.
A Delicious Journey: Deep South Dining
It's called The Gourmet Highway and it encompasses renowned Deep South culinary centers, including New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta and Charleston. Each city boasts a distinctive food tradition, making it a gastronomic delight for diverse palates.
Chefs Aboard: An Artist Salutes Fine Dining
ATLANTA-For a few hours, a culinary news item mercifully replaced war and crime stories. 45 Atlanta area restaurants are now included in the prestigous Michelin Guide Book, a coveted listing that adds even more luster to the region’s growing reputation as a fine dining force in the Southeast.
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.
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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