Mountain View
Doc Lawrence
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.
The American Wine Dinner
Over the years I attended three events that qualified as genuine wine dinners. One was a celebration of Julia Child’s 90th birthday at the Arizona Biltmore. Another was dinner with Masters of Wine at Arnaud’s in New Orleans and the other was a Bordeaux dinner at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach.
A New Pastor For A Historic Stone Mountain Church
Stone Mountain, Ga.--Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church, popularly known as “The Village Church,” has been in existence for over 150 years and now has a young, energetic and highly qualified new pastor, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Jackson. The announcement of this appointment was made by Pat Sabatelle, an authorized spokesperson for the church.
Peace in the Cotton Patch
“You may have never heard the name, but this mostly unknown place has a significance that stretches around the globe and across time.” Andrew Young , former UN Ambassador. Americus, Ga. With its extended horizons, South Georgia qualifies as a version of big sky country. Farmers say that nearly every plant will grow and prosper in the fertile soil. The Florida Aquifer, the world’s largest, runs under the fields, assuring abundant water. The region has produced some legends from Ray Charles, Jazz vocalist Joe Williams, Nobel Laureate Jimmy Carter and a man not so widely known, Reverend Clarence Jordan, the principal founder of Koinonia Farm.
"Deer Camp" Delivers-A Hilarious Musical Comedy
This highly entertaining comedy celebrates camaraderie, the magical bond that cements friendships. “Deer Camp,” written by Gene Jurek with music by Doug Spartz, is the current production at Stone Mountain Village’s Art Station Theatre, and examines four men during their annual trek to a cold weather deer camp.
Olivia Thomason's Painted Memories-The Saga of a Folk Art Queen
STONE MOUNTAIN GA. Driven, inspired, energetic, humorous, often spiritual. These words don’t begin to describe the motivation for Olivia Thomason’s creations. For nearly a half century she has painted scenes of her beloved South based on memories. Her brightly colored surfaces celebrate everything from family dinners, farming, fishing, youth baseball to creek baptisms, worship services, outdoor political rallies and urban balloon races.
Mayonnaise-Which Tastes Best?
If food preferences are an indication, we may be more divided as a people than popularly imagined. Who would think that mayonnaise, of all things, would stir raw emotions and threaten friendships? Welcome to the mayonnaise wars, a sometimes heated (but almost always courteous) debate about what good people with a sophisticated palate prefer on their salads and sandwiches.
Marguerite Durham-Visionary Folk Art
Her fans range from Hollywood superstars to gallery owners and art collectors. I’ve been an admirer of Marguerite Durham’s stunning paintings since I first saw them almost two decades ago at Olivia Thomason’s legendary folk art gallery near Emory University, The Primitive Eye.
Soul Food Headquarters-Collard Green Cafe
“I was born to cook,” says ebullient James Paige, and as the old saying goes, “it ain’t bragging if you can back it up.” Paige, whose Collard Green Cafe has been a fixture in the Atlanta region for many years, is quite comfortable with his current location on busy Mountain Industrial Boulevard next to Sam’s Club.
Cool Lunch on a Warm Afternoon
LeRuth's of New Orleans RememberedPhoto byDown South Today. 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.
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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