A Long Weekend Archives - Page 3 of 12

5 Must-Do Activities in Athens, GA

03/18/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

VISIT THE BUTTS-MEHRE HERITAGE HALL ON THE University of Georgia Campus. That’s where the Georgia athletic department showcases its awards in every sport. Look at the career of Vince Dooley and the Heisman Trophy won by Herschel Walker in 1982, in addition to the championships won by the university’s basketball, baseball, tennis and other teams. Admission is free, and the displays are beautifully presented.

TAKE A MUSIC HISTORY TOUR WITH PAUL AND LEARN ABOUT THE BEGINNINGS OF R.E.M. AND THE B52s. This tour leaves from the Athens Welcome Center, and Paul is an encyclopedia of information about groups from the late 70’s and 80’s who got their start in Athens, GA. It is a walking tour which makes even more of an impression.

EXPLORE THE SHOPS IN DOWNTOWN ATHENS. From the vinyl record collection at Wuxtry Records to the many boutiques, University of Georgia fan items and gift shops, you will want to allow several hours to find just the right items to take back home with you.

EAT AT THE GRILL, 171 COLLEGE AVENUE. Burgers, hot dogs shakes and lots of surprising sides and toppings are served with a nostalgic decor, featuring Coca-Cola memorabilia and a vintage jukebox. Watching all the UGA students come and go will make you feel young, and the prices will make you happy.

TAKE AN ATHENS HERITAGE TOUR BEGINNING AT THE WELCOME CENTER. The Welcome Center is housed in the Church-Waddel-Brumby House built in 1820. Your heritage tour will begin with a commentary on the rooms and artifacts in the home, then will continue via van and guide through the streets of Athens. You’ll see examples of outstanding architecture, including the lovely antebellum homes on fraternity and sorority row.

And for a bonus activity, try an UGA hunt and see how many painted bulldogs you can see around town.

Ha! For some reason, these are all numbered #1. Could it be that they are equally important? You decide.

When Your Grandchild Leads by Example and Habit

03/01/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

As I described in last Friday’s post, we recently spent three days in the Smoky Mountains with our oldest grandchild, Allie, who is in her final semester of high school. The goal was quality time, so we did everything possible to achieve it.

On Saturday night, while keeping logs on the fire, watching a movie and eating S’mores, we devised a plan for Sunday morning. We settled on each of us having extended individual quiet times and then listening to one of her Uncle Matt’s sermons via his church’s website. All members of the Pearson clan are accustomed to getting up on Sunday morning and heading out to our various churches for Bible study and worship, but we were away from our normal routine. Isn’t that what we generally face when we’re on vacation?

Steve and I were fine with the plan until Allie emerged from her room on Sunday morning with her hair fixed cute, her make-up applied and wearing a pretty dress. When we commented about how nice she looked, she said, “Well, it IS Sunday morning.” Yes, indeed.

That did it. We needed to find a church service and go to worship together. We googled First Baptist Gatlinburg, FBC Pigeon Forge and FBC Sevierville. After factoring in distance, service times, descriptions of worship styles and plans for later in the afternoon, we decided to attend the 11:00 service at FBC Sevierville. It proved to be a great choice.

First of all, FBC Sevierville has a well-conceived and implemented plan for first time guests. The signs instructed us to put our flasher lights on. It was raining, but when Steve stopped to let Allie and me out near the entrance, a greeter with a huge umbrella was johnny-on-the-spot and escorted us all the way to the door. He may have gotten wet, but he made sure we did NOT.

Inside the door, we were greeted warmly, our questions were answered, and we received a nice guest bag. Seats in an unembarrassing place (a.k.a. not on the front pews) were available, and we slipped in as the music began.

Oh, the music. That, of course, is my heart language — especially sacred praise and worship music that is sung and played in an excellent way. An orchestra with at least 25 instruments was on stage in front of a choir of about 50 singers. The selections were a mixture of traditional with more recent songs, and the choir sang a stunningly beautiful arrangement of “How Great Thou Art.” I couldn’t help it. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

The preacher’s message focused on the words “ALL” in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.

It was a great passage for two retirees and a high school senior to hear AGAIN. You have to believe God had orchestrated our steps that morning.

After the closing prayer, a pipe organ with a skillful organist at the bench cranked out a spirited, classical postlude. Yes, I said a PIPE ORGAN! When was the last time I had heard one? Was it when I got to play one every Sunday at Central Baptist in Decatur? Those sounds might not have meant much to Steve or to Allie, but they meant the world to me. It was as if God was letting me know He saw me and wanted to meet with me that morning.

If Allie hadn’t packed her pretty dress . . . If Allie hadn’t said, “Well, it IS Sunday morning” . . . . We would have missed it. I would have missed it.

Extended quiet times would have been great. Hearing Matt preach via the computer would have been great. But, I thank God for allowing Allie, because of her lifetime of habits, to nudge us toward corporate worship that Sunday morning.

My 4 Must-Eats in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

02/25/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Pancakes, trout, fritters and apple butter are the first food items to pop into my mind when I think about spending a few days in Gatlinburg, but the specifics of WHERE to consume those items is a key consideration, as well.

CROCKETT’S BREAKFAST CAMP

Crockett’s Breakfast Camp right on the main drag (a.k.a. Parkway through town) in Gatlinburg was a must-try on my list during a recent visit. Judging from the line wound around the building, it was on many other people’s list, too. Crockett’s only opened 5 years ago, and this was my first visit. Obviously, they wowed people quickly.

The good news was that a parking lot for a mere $2.00 for 2 hours sits across the street from Crockett’s. And another piece of good news is that you can call ahead or even sign up via email to get put on the waiting list. The bad news is that we didn’t know about that until we were enduring an hour and 15-minute wait.

The very good news is that the food is WONDERFUL. This is where Steve and I got our “trout fix” while we were in the area. Breakfast of pecan-crusted trout, scrambled eggs, grits, sausage gravy, hashbrowns and a thick, fluffy biscuit arrived in a black skillet with a side dish loaded with corn pone — possibly the best I’ve ever eaten.

I highly recommend Crockett’s. Just take my advice and put your name on the list before you arrive. And, by the way, it closes at 1:00 p.m. — strictly a breakfast-brunch place

APPLEWOOD FARMHOUSE RESTAURANT

Apple fritters generously dusted with confectioner’s sugar and a side of apple butter start every meal, along with a small glass of Applewood Julep (a refreshing juice concoction). A cup of hot soup and mashed potatoes come with every entree, and the choices are typical Southern specialties, such as meat loaf, turkey and dressing, chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie and the like. Portions are very generous, too.

In the past, we’ve always arrived along with hundreds of other hungry diners, and once we got our name on the list, we could wander around the big Apple Barn and other shops on the premises. This time — in mid-February — we walked right in and were seated immediately. The food was good, but somehow, I missed the crowds and the Apple Barn was closed when we visited. Bummer. I would have been sorely tempted to bring a few jars of their apple butter home with me.

Both Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and Applewood Farmhouse Grill are on the property. I suggest you go to the one with the shortest wait time. The menus for each appear to be interchangeable.

THE OLD MILL in Pigeon Forge

In terms of just pure deliciousness, this is probably my very favorite. We arrived about 12:30 p.m. and had a 40-minute wait, but the nearby shops were open, and the weather was nice. All the better to get our appetites fully stirred.

Corn fritters with maple butter and a cup of hot chowder start the meal at The Old Mill. The service was great, and the food was everything we expected. Oh yes, the pecan pie is to-die-for. I confess that I brought home a package of fixings for more of the corn chowder and some jalapeno cornbread mix and chow-chow for a cozy supper in the near future. The Old Mill will remain on my MUST LIST.

PANCAKE PANTRY

The line is ALWAYS down the sidewalk at the Pancake Pantry. They don’t take reservations, so you just know that unless you “hit it just right,” you’re going to have to wait. The variety of pancakes, hoecakes and crepes is dizzying, but there is bound to be something for everyone.

I ordered Austrian Apple Walnut Crepes, Allie had Swiss chocolate chip pancakes and Steve (Mr. Healthy) had the Whole Wheat pancakes. Service was quick and friendly, and the food was good.

I just have a couple of gripes to share. We had to pay $10.00 to park nearby, and Pancake Pantry only accepts cash. Yes, CASH! Who carries cash these days? Yes, they have a handy-dandy ATM machine inside, but that tacks on a $3.00 fee. Moral of the story? Be prepared.

The Pancake Pantry opened in 1960 and was the very FIRST pancake house in Gatlinburg. It has worked hard to become such a popular destination. But, I will probably try one of the other MANY pancake cafes that are scattered around now when I return. All of the ones I saw had large FREE parking lots, and I’m fairly certain they take credit cards.

So those were on my list last weekend. Our granddaughter Allie was with us, and all of the places were new to her. Without any prompting from me, she proclaimed The Old Mill as her favorite on our way home.

What about you? Which restaurants are always on your radar and considered worth the wait for you when you visit Gatlinburg?

Bay Town Inn: Comfort and Convenience on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

02/18/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

With most hotel rooms, you walk into an almost cookie-cutter layout. Bathroom near the door, a nook for hanging your clothes, the bed straight ahead, a desk area (if you’re lucky), a chair (again, if you’re lucky), a TV and MAYBE a microwave, small fridge (empty) and a coffeemaker.

With most bed and breakfast inns, you have a bedroom and bathroom and come into a large common dining room for breakfast with the inn’s other guests. Yes. This breakfast is often fabulous, but some people aren’t keen on having to make conversation with strangers first thing in the morning.

The units at Bay Town Inn are more like small condos than hotel rooms, and breakfast is brought to YOU, rather than you having to go to IT. Sweet!

The 10 guest suites are 500 square feet each in size. You walk into a living/dining area with a couch, kitchen, full bathroom with tub/shower combo, a bedroom with a king bed and a closet where you will find 2 waffle-weave robes. There is a TV in the living room and another in the bedroom. The fridge in the kitchen has a choice of waters, soft drinks, juices and yogurts — all complimentary. On the kitchen counter, you’ll see a welcome treat then a basket of granola bars, coffee, microwave popcorn, and in the cabinets, you’ll find dishes and cutlery.

Each day of your stay a bag of fresh muffins will be hanging outside your door to go along with your yogurt, juice and granola bars for a simple continental breakfast. On the weekends, a full cooked breakfast is delivered hot and fresh to your suite.

The grounds are beautifully-landscaped, and a pool is open for guests to enjoy when the weather is warm enough. Each suite has a designated parking spot.

Another great perk is the inn’s location. Bay Town Inn is almost directly across from the harbor, is next door to 200 North Beach (a wonderful restaurant) with more shops and eateries within an easy walk.

Steve and I had an opportunity to visit with the inn’s owner, Nikki Nicholson Moon. She has a remarkable — even miraculous — story of survival during Hurricane Katrina. Be sure to notice the carved angel tree across the street from the inn. That tree saved her life!

It is easy to see why Ms. Moon has so many repeat customers. There are even groups of friends who reserve rooms every year, so they can enjoy the inn and the events in Bay St. Louis together. I encourage you to check it out.

4 Surprising Sights in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

02/04/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I arrived in Bay St. Louis expecting mild weather, Gulf breezes and fresh seafood. To be sure, those things were present even in frigid January. In reality, “mild” turned out to be a little cooler than I wanted and the breezes came from the Bay rather than from the Gulf, but oh, that seafood! It was wonderful everywhere we ate. Fish, oysters, scallops and shrimp with bread pudding for dessert? I doubt there’s a better meal anywhere. So, I found what I expected to find, but there were some delightful surprises.

ANGELS

As I mentioned in last Friday’s post, angels are very important to folks in and around Bay St. Louis. A chainsaw-tree-carver named Dayle K. Lewis brought his skills to Bay St. Louis as a way to encourage those who were trying to rebuild their lives after Katrina. Two of his works can be seen along the waterfront, while two others are in a city cemetery. All are remarkable.

ALICE MOSELEY AND HER LITTLE BLUE HOUSE

The best way I know to describe Alice Moseley’s artwork is “a Southern version of Grandma Moses in style and subject matter.” She painted the world as she wanted it to be, rather than as it actually was.

Mrs. Moseley was actually born in Birmingham, AL, and her first career was as a schoolteacher. She didn’t start painting until the age of 65 and didn’t discover Bay St. Louis until she was 79. As soon as she saw it, she was determined to move there. Her little blue house sits across the street from the Bay St. Louis train depot, which now houses the Visitors Center, a Mardi Gras museum, and a museum of her work. She died in 2004 at the age of 94.

I wish I’d known about her when I was teaching elementary art.

I love the title she gave this painting: “The House is Blue, but the Old Lady ain’t.”

ST. ROSE DE LIMA CHURCH

This church began as a school for African American children in 1868, and in 1925, it became a church. Nowadays, the 9:00 a.m. mass on Sunday mornings brings in a packed house of both blacks and whites. The church’s Gospel Choir and Men’s Choir are considered to be among the best in the South.

Both the pulpit and the large mural in the front of the sanctuary are striking. In most Catholic churches, Jesus is portrayed as the Suffering Savior on the cross. In St. Rose de Lima Church, the mural shows an African Christ being resurrected through a large oak tree. The pulpit was fashioned from a felled oak tree with its roots supporting the top piece.

INFINITY SPACE CENTER

Living only about 35 minutes from the Alabama Space and Rocket Center, I had failed to consider the other space-related facilities in our part of the country. As I learned from our tour guide, when the Huntsville engineers started testing rocket engines in the late 50’s and early 60’s, pictures were being jarred off the walls and dishes were breaking. There wasn’t a large enough buffer zone between the testing and area residences.

Werner Von Braun and his associates bought up five small communities in South Mississippi, relocated the people and built the John C. Stennis Space Center, NASA’s largest rocket engine test facility. INFINITY Space Center is its affiliated visitor center and science museum. Hundreds of area school children plus thousands of other visitors pass through each year to enjoy the exhibits and the new 3D movie theater.

I will be sharing more about the current status of Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Mississippi — 13 1/2 years after Katrina — but, for now, let me encourage you to plan a day or more in this beautiful area and support the amazing work that area leaders and residents have carried out. You’ll be impressed, and they will appreciate the affirmation.

Looking Back at my 2018 Travels and Recommendations

01/07/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t just looked back at my calendar and all of the photos I took. During 2018, I visited 23 destinations, finished construction/decisions/moving involved with our new house and hosted the 11th Annual Cousins Camp. You might think I’d be ready to stay home for awhile, and yes. I truly do savor days for writing, thinking and “just being.” But, those of you who know me best, know that I always LOVE planning. So, happily my calendar is filling up with more amazing places to explore in 2019.

A few of the trips I made in 2018 were purely for fun, but 100% have or will end up as blog posts or articles in other publications. And, 100% of the places I visited can be wholeheartedly recommended for you. The vast majority were in my heartland, a.k.a. The Deep South, but I also got on a few airplanes along the way.

I began the year with Steve on Captiva Island, near Fort Myers, FL, and we ended our travel year seeing New York City at Christmas time. In between, there were fabulous restaurants, hotels, museums, attractions of all kinds and stunning displays of nature. Here are some highlights, pretty much in order as I saw them through the year. Maybe one or more of them will capture your attention and draw you in for a closer look. Please stick with me as we explore more hidden, and not-so-hidden, gems in 2019.

Shellhunting with the shorebirds on tranquil Captiva Island, near Fort Myers, FL in January of 2018.

The iconic tree in Rockefeller Center, New York City, December 2018.

February is a wonderful time to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. There are many activities and advantage for snowbirds, and of course, the seafood is always fresh and delicious.

A search for the many painted mules in Jasper, AL is a fun pursuit. While there, the shopping and dining options are plentiful.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum is an important destination. While in town, try some of the great restaurants — Highlands Bar and Grill, Galley and Garden, Chez Fonfon, etc. — and take the elevator to the top of the Vulcan.

It was so much fun to share a “Gone with the Girls” tour with my daughter and granddaughter. Clay and Henry Counties and their towns of Jonesboro, Locust Grove and McDonough (just a few miles south of Atlanta) are full of great eateries. shops and attractions, among them is the Road to Tara Museum.

Oxford, Mississippi is home to the University of Mississippi, 4 restaurants owned by John Currence and Rowan Oak, home of novelist William Faulkner. What a great town!

In addition to famous recording studios, boutique hotels, the University of North Alabama and good Southern eats, be sure to visit the store and workshop of Natalie Chanin and get a close look at her fabulous textile artistry.

The historic and beautiful Dunhill is a great place to stay in downtown Charlotte. The rooms are comfortable, the location is great, and The Asbury, adjoining restaurant, has award-winning chefs.

Biltmore House and Gardens is a MUST when visiting Asheville, N.C. Also, consider one of the delightful B & Bs in the area.

While visiting the Old 96 District of South Carolina, I highly recommend staying at The Inn on the Square in Greenwood, S.C.

Historic Brattonsville is an informative attraction in the Olde English District of South Carolina, between Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC.

Canton OH is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and SO MUCH MORE!!

Downtown Cleveland is filled with sports venues, hotels and restaurants. A little further out are attractions for history, art and music lovers, and don’t forget the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Columbia, TN has a great historic downtown, the James K. Polk Home and the Blythewood Inn Bed and Breakfast. Be sure to plan a stop when you’re in the Nashville area.

Gadsden, AL has Noccalula Falls within its city limits, plus a wonderful Main Street with shops, restaurants and a very active cultural center.

Corinth, Mississippi is the site of important Civil War history. Here is a poignant fountain outside the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

The Palm Court, ornate restaurant inside the Plaza Hotel in New York City, is where one of America’s most famous Afternoon Tea parties takes place.

Go. See. Eat. Experience. There’s a great, big, fascinating world out there.

(Just scroll back through my blog posts to read about these places in greater detail).

Corinth, Mississippi: 5 Great Reasons to Take a Short Detour off of Highway 72

12/31/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Corinth, Mississippi is SO MUCH MORE than a convenient pit stop between North Alabama and Memphis. Yes, Highway 72 has numerous fast food chains and gas stations, but this fun Southern town has a great deal more to offer if you’ll give it a few hours (or a day or two) of your time. For that matter, you could even make it your actual destination and have a wonderful time.

CIVIL WAR HISTORY

Corinth and its immediate surroundings are steeped in significance related to the Civil War. I strongly recommend a tour of the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center at 501 W. Linden Street. There you’ll find a modern, 15,000 ft. facility with exhibits, a video about the Battle of Corinth and a very impressive water feature.

The Verandah Curless House, 705 Jackson Street, is Corinth’s only historic house museum and was the headquarters for several generals during the war. The plan for the Confederate attack on Union troops at Shiloh was set into motion at this house.

Corinth Contraband Camp at 902 N. Parkway was the site where newly-freed ex-slaves were given refuge. The American Missionary Association assisted in this effort. Sculptures on the property evoke an emotional response.

Shiloh National Military Park is a short drive away at 1055 Pittsburg Landing Road, in Shiloh, Tennessee. It is a must-see if you have a serious interest in the Civil War. Seeing the terrain and conditions firsthand add to your understanding of who and why the circumstances happened as they did.

At the entrance to the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center

SLUGBURGERS and Lots of Great Food

Borroum’s Drug Store on the courthouse square at 604 E. Waldron Street, has the distinction of being the oldest drug store in the State of Mississippi still under continuous operation. But, in addition to a chance to see artifacts and relics from Native Americans and the Civil War, you can have a soda or a milkshake at their vintage soda fountain or try their signature Slugburger.

Nickels used to be called “slugs,” and these burgers were originally sold for a nickel. They were made from ground pork and beef that had been stretched with flour (during the Depression) and then deep fried. The accepted way to serve them is with a slice of onion, some pickles and mustard. The price is $1.75 now. Actually everything on the menu is very reasonably priced. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped WAY back in time.

Other restaurants and eateries that I heartily recommend in Corinth include smith. (yes, it begins with a lowercase s), Abe’s Grill (go at breakfast time and try their chocolate gravy), Pizza Grocery (housed in a wholesale grocery warehouse built in 1920), Joe’s Diner (another popular breakfast spot), tamales at Dilworth’s (strictly a drive-through) and Vicari (an upscale restaurant downtown). There are plenty of chains in Corinth, but, as always, I urge you to try the locally-owned places.

Chocolate gravy for breakfast at Joe’s Diner

Slugburger and chips at Borroum’s Drug Store

Entrance to smith. in Corinth – upscale restaurant.

FUN SHOPS

Corinth has a surprising number of unique shops for clothing, gifts, home decor, accessories and more. Some to keep in mind are Carli & Co, Lipchic Boutique, Baxter & Me, Rowan House, Hoochies Gifts and Accessories, Taylor Wick & Co and T. Feazell. I want to return soon and spend more time in each of these.

Two I explored and found a couple of things that “had my name written all over them” were Shirley Dawg’s and Sanctuary. Shirley Dawg’s has clothing for men and women, mostly casual and mostly sports-oriented but also high quality. Sanctuary is a beautiful shop of antiques, collectibles and art. They also have signature-scented candles, one of which is sitting on my desk as I type. The business is housed in a former Episcopal church building constructed around 1904. You’ll enjoy looking for evidences that this was once indeed a sanctuary for worship.

VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES

Possibly the most unexpected place I found in Corinth was the motorcycle museum inside Lake Hill Motors right on Highway 72. It is sometimes called the bike museum and displays many of the ones Dwayne McLemore has been collecting for more than 30 years. You’ll be amazed at the variety.

Visit from 8:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday or from 8:00-3:00 on Saturday.

One of the fine motorcycles on display at Lake Hill Motors museum.

CORINTH COCA-COLA MUSEUM

Corinth didn’t invent Coca-Cola, of course, but its bottling company in the town has been in existence for more than 100 years. The museum showcases more than 1000 pieces of authentic Coca-Cola memorabilia. Admission is free. The hours are 8:00 to 4:45 Monday through Friday, but you’ll probably want to email museum@corinthcoke.com to schedule a group tour. I suspect you’ll be treated to a refreshing Coke float while you’re there.

Coke float offered to visitors at the Coca-Cola Museum

I hope these photos and suggestions have convinced you to plan a day or two to explore Corinth, Mississippi. It’s a fascinating town, loaded with attractions, food and history.

Merry Christmas Eve, Everyone!

12/24/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

It’s Christmas Eve. If you haven’t already had all of your holiday parties and family gatherings, then likely today and tomorrow will be packed with food, gifts, excited children, tons of discarded wrapping paper and the inevitable dilemma of storing all the leftovers. Maybe, too, you will take time to attend a Christmas Eve service at your church or read Luke 2 and remember how all of this began, what it meant then and what it continues to mean today.

Before we start to take our own Christmas trees down this year and pack things away until next November, I just wanted to share a few more Christmas trees that we spotted in New York. Maybe you can start hinting to whoever controls the budget at your house that you’d like to see them for yourself in 2019.

A very Merry Christmas to all of you from Steve and me.

Elaborate tree in a store window on 5th Avenue.

A tree comprised of beautiful Louis Vuitton accessories for the fashionable woman.

A tree in the entrance at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, greeting worshippers coming in for Sunday services and the yearly Christmas programs.

A tree beside a Menorah, when Hanukkah and Christmas intersect. These two symbols were in the Food Hall at The Plaza.

Tiny trees and other symbols of Christmas incorporated into the sweets served at Afternoon Tea at The Plaza.

35-foot tree made of Swarovski crystals in the lobby of Radio City Music Hall.

An unintentional self-portrait while photographing scenes in Rockefeller Center. Can you spy my Silver Fox waiting patiently for me to move along? 🙂

Christmas Experiences in New York City

12/10/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

It has been on my Bucket List for several years to “do New York City at Christmastime.” This was not a foodie trip, although we found some great food. This was not a shopping trip — but time for browsing holiday markets and window shopping did happen. This trip was a collection of experiences.

We flew in on a Friday and flew back home the following Tuesday. We lucked out on great weather. It was cold but not freezing, and it rained only on one day. During our 3 1/2 days in the Big Apple, we managed to fit in these activities:

We strolled through Times Square and Rockefeller Center, including the new F.A.O. Schwartz Toy Store, the big tree, and the astounding music/light display at Sak’s 5th Avenue.
We took in a Broadway play. For this visit, we saw “My Fair Lady,” one of my all-time favorites. I know every song and most of the dialogue. For this one, we took the subway to Lincoln Center and saw it in the Vivian Beaumont Theater. It was done superbly — every note, every set change, all the costumes fabulous.
We visited the new World Trade Center and the 9-11 Memorial. Sobering. Such a testament to the resilience of the citizens of NY to rise from those ashes.
We attended a service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. (More about that in next Friday’s post).
We browsed the holiday markets at Grand Central Station and at Columbus Circle.
We gazed at the elaborate window displays along 5th Avenue.
We had Afternoon Tea at The Plaza — so delicious and elegant. This was my Christmas gift from Steve. I LOVED it!
We saw the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall featuring the Rockettes. We had seen the Rockettes in Nashville in years past, but I’m so glad we saw them in their home setting. The lighting, staging and special effects were SO MUCH BETTER in NYC.
We survived several taxi rides with Middle Eastern taxi drivers. 🙂 Actually, they were very friendly and did a good job of navigating the traffic.
We figured out which way was Downtown and which was Uptown — very important when using the subway system.
We tried real Manhattan Clam Chowder — and liked it a lot.
We averaged over 10,000 steps a day.
We were there for the first two nights of Hanukkah and saw the World’s Largest Menorah.
We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square for 2 nights and then enjoyed our biggest splurge by staying at The Plaza for the last 2 nights. Trust me. The Plaza deserves a blog post all its own. It was everything I had hoped and more.

Now, for a few photos that might tempt you to start planning your Christmas visit to NYC.

Radio City Music Hall, home of the Rockettes

Iconic keyboard in FAO Schwartz looking out onto the Rockefeller Center tree

Palm Court inside The Plaza, site of Afternoon Tea

Christmas tree in the lobby of The Plaza

Public Art in Canton, Ohio

11/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

By all means, plan a trip to Canton, Ohio, to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is an amazing facility . . . . and still growing.

While you’re there, take one of their awesome food tours. Enjoy a great progressive meal (i.e. different courses in different restaurants) while hearing stories of the town’s history and famous people. I wrote about it here.

Visit the lush, gorgeous 55 acres of the Gervasi Vineyard and enjoy a superb meal. I described it here.

But, before you leave Canton, do yourself a huge favor and spend an hour or two strolling through downtown admiring the great displays of public art.

You’ll see painted murals — even in the parking garages.

3 Stooges

The back side of Basil restaurant.

You’ll see vinyl installations of famous photographs.

Football is a prevalent theme.

You’ll see a wide variety of sculptures.

Birth of the NFL

“Shattered Expressions”

And you’ll be impressed that even the trash receptacles have been “art-enhanced.” Eighteen local artists are featured.

From my perspective, all of these efforts tell me that the people of Canton care greatly about the impression their town makes on visitors and how much pride they want their townspeople to have in their city. Good for them. I wish more cities would follow their example.

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