Dashboards Saddlebags and
The Destination Magazine ™ Issue 35
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Well Crafted Celtic Festival, Celebrating all things Celtic
YOur Destination Magazine!
Brewing Craft Beer Scene The Trailhead of Western North Carolina Sippin’ Bridal Show at Historic Rural Hill Film Junkies Guide to North Carolina Have A Glass Of Wine In Jail
Find What Makes You Smile Page 6
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Dashboards and
FEBRUARY 2014 Issue 35
The Destination Magazine
D
ashboards and Saddlebags the Destination Magazine™ is your guide to finding unique destinations in your own back yard.
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Whether you are a long time resident or new to t he a re a, you’l l fi nd destinations here that will have you saying “I never knew that was there.”
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We are very selective of our marketing partners as well as our editorial content. If we cannot be proud of the content submitted to us we will not put it in Dashboards and Saddlebags Magazine, period. So, i f you a re look i ng for new destinations to explore on your own, or ideas for things to do with friends and family you will find something new each month in your destination magazine.
We know we are on to something! Lisa & Andy Jay Publishers Produced by: Photodude.net LLC Sales: Lisa Jay, Steven Shober Contributing Writers: Lisa Jay, Connie Nelson, Floyd Harris, Project 543, Visit NC, Craig Distl Contributing Photographers: PhotodudeART.com, Bill Russ, John Dyer
CONTENTS Unique Destinations less than 200 miles from home
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Well Crafted
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Celtic Festival, Celebrating all things Celtic
14
Brewing Craft Beer Scene
16
Turn Back Time in Saluda
18
The Trailhead of Western North Carolina 20 Sippin’ Bridal Show at Historic Rural Hill
22
Film Junkies Guide to North Carolina
24
Have A Glass Of Wine In Jail
26
The list of events in this publication is compiled from various sources dates & times are tentative & subject to change. Dashboards and Saddlebags The Destination Magazine™ is published by Photodude.net LLC 369 Dovefield Drive Summerfield, NC 27358 (704) 706-2365 www.DashboardsandSaddlebags.com ©2014 All rights reserved. Photodude.net LLC Publisher, Agents & Advertisers do not necessarily condone any activities or advertisement listed in this magazine. The Publisher and its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and sponsors are not responsible for any loss or damage which might be associated with patronage of any party named in this publication, and is not responsible for any Act of God such as inclement weather, fire, flood, natural or man-made disaster, etc., that are out of the control of the Publisher, which affect the publishing of this magazine.
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Events at the Old400Rock School Main Street West Bluegrass at the Rock:
February 21 at 7:30pm Jim & Valarie Gabehart with Kristy Cox Tickets $15 in advance & $18 at the door
Primitive Quartet in Concert: Saturday March 8 at 7pm
Tickets $13 in advance & $15 at the door
Bluegrass at the Rock:
March 28 at 7:30pm Mark Newton & Steve Thomas with Scenic Roots Tickets $15 in advance & $18 at the door
For Information on all Valdese Events Go to VISITVALDESE.COM or call 828-879-2129 DashboardsandSaddlebags.com 704-706-2365
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Destinations
Unique Destinations less than 200 miles from home Fan Appreciation Day at NASCAR Hall of Fame Saturday, Feb 1, 2014 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Charlotte, NC. THE ROAD TO DAYTONA STARTS WITH OUR FANS! Kick off the 2014 NASCAR race season at NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day at the NASCAR Hall of Fame! Join us for FREE admission to the Hall with the recently updated Glory Road 2.0 and other unique and interactive exhibits honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR! Inside the Great Hall, fans will have the opportunity to see some of their favorite NASCAR drivers, Hall of Famers, and other special guests. As fans make their way through the exhibits, they’ll have the chance to meet NASCAR Hall of Famers and NASCAR Next drivers in the Hall of Honor. Best of all, fans can register for 1 of the 7 driver autograph sessions that will be happening throughout the day in the High Octane Theater! www.visitcabarrus.com Pickin At Priddy’s Fri, February 7, 2014, 7pm – 9 pm 2121 Sheppard Mill Rd, Danbury, NC 27016. Cozy up in a 126 year old general store for some old fashioned fun for the whole family. Sip on hot cider, eat something delicious from the big black pot, warm up by a big bonfire and listen to Bluegrass music at its finest. Experience the way things use to be out in the country on a cold winter’s night. Music is held inside store. www.priddysgeneralstore.com Native American Powwow Saturday, Feb 1, 2014 North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics 1219 Broad Street P.O. Box 2418 Durham, NC 27715. The NCSSM Powwow is a public, family-friendly event featuring music, dance, arts, crafts and food. The event hosts American Indian dancers, musicians and artists from across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia and is a fun way to learn about and celebrate the region’s rich American Indian culture. www.ncssm.edu/powwow/event.html Old Time Dance at The Earle Theater Saturday, Feb 1, 2014 Earle Theatre, North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. North America WPAQ Anniversary Celebration. The Old-Time Dance returns to Mount Airy on the first Saturday of the month all year except June. Area bands take the stage at the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall at the Historic EARLE Theatre for an evening of old-time dance favorites for all ages. Group tours are welcome. www.surryarts.org Krispy Kreme Challenge Sat, February 8, 2014, 8:30 am – 9:30 am The Belltower, 2011 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607. The Krispy Kreme Challenge is an annual, student-operated race in Raleigh, N.C. benefiting the N.C. Children’s Hospital. Beginning in 2004 with a mere 12 participants, the race has grown exponentially to a whopping 7,700 runners in the 2012 race and has rapidly become one of N.C. State
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University’s newest traditions. Beginning at the N.C. State Belltower, each runner runs 2.5 miles through Downtown Raleigh to the Krispy Kreme store located at the intersection of Peace St. and Person St. After downing a full dozen of the famous original glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the runner must run the two and a half miles back. All in one hour. This is the Krispy Kreme Challenge. www.krispykremechallenge.com Cougar Run Winery Wine Tasting Saturday, Feb 8, 2014 Cougar Run Winery, Church Street North, Concord, NC. Cougar Run Wine Tasting benefitting Craniofacial Children Foundation. Includes a tasting of six different wines with dessert pairings from Daphne’s Bakery of Mint Hill To purchase tickets, call 704-280-3624. For more information on the vendors, visit www.cougarrunwinery.com. Neuse River Music Fest Feb 14 – 15, 2014 Lenoir Community College Gym, 231 NC 58 South Kinston NC 28501. Formerly known as the Kinston Winter Bluegrass Festival. This year’s entertainment includes fan favorites Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Gene Watson, Al Batten & The Bluegrass Reunion, Marty Raybon, Goldwing Express, Malpass Brothers, Grass Cats, and Samantha Casey & the Bluegrass Jam. Rhonda Vincent and Gene Watson will be featured at this year’s VIP Reception on Saturday night. Tickets are limited, so buy yours today! www.lenoircc.edu/Foundation/nrmf.htm 19 th Annual Bluegrass First Class Festival Feb 14 – 16, 2014 1 Resort Dr, Asheville, NC 28806. Friday will feature the impeccable harmonies of
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Destinations
seven-time “Female Vocalist of the Year” Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, five-time “IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year” Russell Moore & III rd Tyme Out, North Carolina’s own Lou Reid & Carolina, Newton & Thomas, the old duet sounds from the ‘30 s and ‘40 s with the Crazy Water Crystals, and a professional band, Sons of Bluegrass, with special guest, Amethyst. On Saturday, the incomparable Dailey & Vincent will perform, share memories of the early days with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, featuring band members during his seven-consecutive years as “IBMA Vocal Group of the Year.” He will also perform with members of his original band. Seldom Scene will be on-hand, along with the Rambling Rooks, a group which includes Ronnie Bowman, a long-time Bluegrass First Class Favorite! The new, hot, up-and-coming band is... Flatt Lonesome! www.bluegrassfirstclass.com BeerFest & CrossFit at Double Barley Brewing Fri, February 14, 8 am – 9 pm Double Barley Brewing, U.S. 70, Smithfield, NC. Legacy Series has combined a CrossFit-style Fitness Competition with a Beer Festival. All competition events will be beer-themed: keg runs, barley bag press, keg tosses, and the list goes on. Once the competition is complete the Beer Festival will begin. Watch the strongest and fittest athletes compete for prizes and trophies Sample beers from all around the region. Food, music, a world class illusionist, and the best craft beer in NC! www.doublebarleybrewing.com Sweetheart Tours Feb 15 – 16, 2014 Latta Plantation 5225 Park, Sample Road, Huntersville, NC. Join us for special valentine’s tours of the plantation house. Learn about 19th century courting customs, English Country dancing, and hear sweetheart stories about the Latta girls. Tours are Saturday at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm, and Sunday at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, ages 5 and under free. Admission will include a new additional 7.25% entertainment tax imposed by the state of NC. www.lattaplantation.org Fourth Annual Civil War Winter Encampment Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 Historic Rural Hill, Neck Road, Huntersville, NC. On February 15 th Historic Rural Hill is the place for the history enthusiast to be! Bring out the whole family for a great and fun day of historical lessons and insights into the strenuous factors of winter camp life for the men of the 38 th NC Troops. Just as in the past, these brave men and women will be on hand whatever the weather may bring (2013 brought a blizzard!) Rural Hill docent volunteers will also be on hand as well to demonstrate 19 th century skills such as wood working, spinning, open hearth cooking, fire building, blacksmithing, and much more! Around the farm hayrides will be offered for $3 per person, all other activities free to all! Historic Rural Hill is a non-profit farm, event venue, and center for education whose rich history dates back to 1765. www.ruralhill.net Sapphire Valley Outhouse Race Sat, February 15, 9 am – 6 pm Hwy 64, Sapphire, NC 28774. “Toward the end of each ski season we all get a
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704.439.5350 www.homecarolinas.com little restless and look for a bit of excitement, so we decided to do what comes naturally... race outhouses on ski’s down a hill! Crazy? Maybe. Dangerous? Perhaps. Fun? Without a doubt! For a good cause? Definitely! This is an event to raise funds to sponsor ski scholarships for children that don’t have the opportunity to attend our after school ski programs. www.skisapphirevalley.com Seagrove Winterfest Sat, February 15, 9am – 5pm 127 E West Main Street, Seagrove, NC 27341. In this first event of the New Year, Seagrove potters showcase feature new winter pieces and collections. Frog Love in the Pink Beds Sat, February 15, 1pm – 4 pm Cradle of Forestry Historic Site Pisgah Forest NC 28768. February pulls frogs out of their hiding places to find mates and lay eggs in the woodlands waters. www.cradleofforestry.com Totally 80’s Retro Ski Weekend Feb 21 – 23, 2014 Beech Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC 28604. It’s a “ski slope time machine” weekend as Beech Mountain relives the New Wave era of big hair, leg warmers, Members Only jackets and colorful ski clothes. So dig out your retro ski garb and wax up those vintage 210’s. We promise you’ll have, like, a totally tubular experience. Here’s a sampling of what’s in store: -Lodging specials for $80.80 per night-Mile-High Moonwalking Contest on Friday nite -Appearances by the Carolina Ghostbusters -Retro 80’s bands each night -Old School apparel contest Saturday nite -80’s
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Destinations DJ Saturday at big hair/radical air competition -Dinner specials and ski rentals for $19.80 -Thursday night 80’s karaoke at Famous Fast Eddies. www.beechmountainresort.com Black Mountain Marathon & Mt. Mitchell Challenge Saturday, Feb 22, 201 Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Always the last weekend in February, the Mount Mitchell Challenge is 40 miles of technical trails from Black Mountain to the summit of Mt. Mitchell and back. The marathon follows the same route, but turns back at the Blue Ridge Parkway prior to reaching the summit. www.blackmountainmarathon.com Sippin’ Bridal Show Sun, February 23, 1pm – 4 pm Historic Rural Hill, Neck Road, Huntersville, NC. Rural Hill will host its first bridal show on Sunday, February 23 from 1 - 4pm. Mark your calendar for the “Sippin’ Bridal Show” and don’t miss this intimate setting for brides and vendors to meet while enjoying wine, food, and door prizes at this “reception” style show. Stay tuned for details! www.ruralhill.net The 254 th Anniversary of the Attack on Fort Dobbs Mar 1 – 2, 2014 Fort Dobbs, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Re-enactors representing the provincial garrison and Cherokee warriors will offer ongoing interpretation of 18 th Century camp life, as well as featured musket and cannon firing demonstrations. Saturday 10 am -4 pm, Sunday 10 am -3pm. www.fortdobbs.org Tribute to Madison County NC Fiddlers Sat, March 8, 4 pm – 7pm Madison County Arts Center, 90 S Main Street Marshall NC 28753. Madison County’s premiere event featuring Bobby Hicks, Arvil Freeman, Roger Howell, Vipers’ Dream featuring Adam Masters, Susi Gott, Jake & Sarah Owen and The Sons of Ralph. www.madisoncountyarts.com Cary Kite Festival Sunday, Mar 9, 2014 801 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513. For kids of all ages, Bond Park’s Annual Kite Festival is a fun way to spend the afternoon flying your kite. We will have an expert kite flyer on hand for stunt kite demonstrations. Certificates and special awards will be awarded in a variety of kite flying categories. Registration begins at 12:30 pm and the fun begins at 1pm. Free and open to the public, call (919)469-4100. www.townofcary.org Celtic Festival Mar 15 – 16, 2014 Latta Plantation Park, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC. Celebrate all things Celtic at Latta’s 2nd annual Celtic Festival! Enjoy live music from the Thistledown Tinkers, Stirling Bridge, Irish Temperance, and an event Piper throughout the weekend. Also, see Scottish dancing by the Latta Steppers, meet various Scottish clans, shop with vendors like Near and Far Scottish, Cats Paw Potterie, The Celtic Rainbow, and St. Kilda USA. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery will be there with several local beers on tap. Food will be available from The Scottish Cottage, Appalachian Smoke, and Anna’s Sweet Treats. Children can play games and enjoy storytelling, visit the farm animals, and more! www.lattaplantation.org
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DRAWING NOVEMBER 2014 Order tickets at www.WheelsThroughTime.com!
Wheels Through Time Museum is a 501-C3 Not-for-Profit dedicated to the preservation of motorcycle history
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Photo by: Reggie Thomas
Well Crafted
www.hickorymetro.com 828-322-1335
L
ocated at the foot of the North Carolina mountains, the Hickory Metro is known for its pristine beauty and Southern hospitality. If adventure is what you seek, canoe down the Catawba River or hike South Mountains State Park, one of North Carolina’s largest state parks, with 18,000 acres and plenty of groomed trails.
O
f course, you can’t come to Hickory without shopping for furniture. The Catawba Furniture Mall encompasses more than 8 acres of discount furniture with hundreds of manufacturers and specialty shops. The Hickory Furniture Mart contains more than 100 outlets, stores and galleries representing more than 1,000 manufacturers. And it is all under one roof in this 1.5 million-square-foot mart. Interior decorators are on-site to offer the latest tips and trends.
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isit the Catawba Science Center and get up close and personal with live nurse sharks and southern stingrays at the marine touch tank. While at the science center, be sure to catch a movie in the 65-seat Millholland Planetarium, which features the latest in full-dome digital technology and surround sound, and take a ride into outer space.
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ach spring catch some baseball action at LP Frans Stadium and watch the Hickory Crawdads, a Class A team in the South Atlantic League and affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Buckle your seatbelts at the Hickory Motor Speedway, home to some great NASCAR favorites like Dale Jarrett, Ned Jarrett, Ralph Earnhardt, Harry Gant, Tommy Houston and others. This world- famous short track is the oldest continually operated motor speedway in the country.
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Ballantyne 704.752.7284 Charlotte 704.527.5783 Mooresville 704.799.2881 Huntersville 704.237.4387
Voters Choice for Best Beer Charlotte Magazine, 2012 Voted Charlotte’s Best Cheesesteak Charlotte Magazine, 2011 Won 1st & 3rd Place at Carolina Wing Festival for Best Wings, 2011
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Celtic Festival, Celebrating All Things Celtic J
ames Latta, the first owner and namesake of the site, immigrated to America from Northern Ireland in 1785 at the age of thirty. Like James Latta, many of piedmont North Carolina settlers were Scots-Irish. Latta’s Celtic Festival celebrates the long history and traditions of these settlers with a fun family event for all ages. This year’s event will be held on St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, March 15th-16th from 10am to 4pm each day. Throughout the weekend spectators can walk the plantation grounds and enter the world of Celtic tradition and entertainment. The event offers multigenerational appeal. Children can play games, enjoy Celtic storytelling, visit rare and endangered breeds of historic farm animals, and watch the shows. Adults can stop by Olde Mecklenburg Brewery for a cold beer. All ages can enjoy live music together while eating a hot Scottish meal on the grounds. Latta is calling all the clans for this event and people can visit those of Wallace, Blair, Lamont, McIntosh, and more! Whether you are interested in learning more about your own Scottish heritage, or are just curious about this group that shaped so much of our local culture, you will enjoy chatting with the clans. After seeing their plaids, you may even be inspired to leave with a kilt of your own! If so, some of the many Celtic vendors around the site can help you get started. There will be numerous vendors including Near and Far Scottish, Cats Paw Potterie, The Celtic Rainbow, St. Kilda USA, and others. Celtic Warriors from throughout history will be at the festival as well. The term Celtic Warriors may spark images of Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart. However at Latta you can meet reenactors portraying Celtic warriors from many different time periods, all the way up through World War II. The
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Dashboards and Saddlebags The Destination Magazine™
Scottish Highland Games held each year in April by Latta’s neighbors at Rural Hill include exciting competitions in athleticism and skill. Although the Latta Celtic Festival will not include these types of games, spectators can still see demonstrations of these skills. No Celtic celebration would be complete without live music and great food. If you want to give true Scottish dishes a try, visit the Scottish Cottage for delicious potatoes, smothered in a Scottish sauce. If you are feeling particularly Scottish, test your palate to Haggis. Never heard of it? Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish consisting of a pudding containing Sheep’s Pluck minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt. Sheep’s Pluck is a mixture of heart, liver, and lungs. This description may not have your mouth watering just yet, but that’s okay. If you are feeling more Scots Irish than purely Scottish, visit Appalachian Smoke for the best smoked meats and sides in North Carolina. While the adults can wash all of this down with a cold one from Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, the kids can visit Anna’s Sweet Treats for homemade Lemonade or Orangeade. Music and entertainment will be non stop throughout the weekend by the carriage barn. Hear the sound of bagpipes from the event piper in between live Celtic bands. Bands will include the Thistledown Tinkers Stirling Bridge, and Irish Temperance. The Latta Steppers, a traditional Scottish dance group, will be performing throughout the weekend as well. After the gates close at 4:00pm on Saturday the 15th, visitors will have a special opportunity to return from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a special Celtic music concert and more delicious food. This Celtic Concert is a fundraiser for the historic site and will include a blend of both traditional and modern Irish and Scottish music. Latta is a non-profit site that relies on donations, grants, and event income to continue providing educational programming to the public. So bring your lawn chair and kick off your St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Saturday evening at a great concert, supporting a great cause!
Historic Latta Plantation is a circa 1800 cotton plantation and living history farm, located within Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Tours of the Latta home are guided, and tours of the grounds are self-guided. School groups are on site daily during the school year. When large groups are on site, visitors may be asked to join those groups in lieu of a guided house tour, due to a limited number of staff members available to provide tours. For more information on tour times, please see the Plan Your Visit www.lattaplantation.org
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B
rewing Craft eer Scene
I
t may be hard to bottle a place, but it seems like we do it every day across North Carolina.
The truth is you’re never far from refreshing, intriguing local beers and people who love to wax poetic about ales, lagers, porters, stouts, and the occasional seasonal experiment or collaboration your neighborhood brewmaster has on tap. The heady aroma of malted barley, bitter hops and fermenting yeast wafts from more than 100 brewpubs and production breweries – already more than any other Southern state and still growing – spread across big cities, coastal villages, mountain towns and rural communities. Their tantalizing variety and award-winning quality have earned the state an esteemed place in the world of craft brewing, and more than a few honors. North Carolina’s embrace of brewing also has attracted the attention of the beer world’s bigger players, with New Belgium, Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues setting up operations in and around Asheville. That eclectic mountain town has become a center of brewing activity, with more than a dozen breweries up and running, and more on the drawing board. For four consecutive years, Asheville reigned as Beer City USA, which furthered awareness of its hardcore brew culture. Home to a handful of beer festivals, Asheville also ranks among the “24 greatest cities in the world for drinking beer,” according to Gadling, the world’s top travel blog. Asheville even boasts informative guided tours that take visitors to a selection of the city’s innovative microbreweries. When you lift a pint to toast to North Carolina’s abundant breweries, you’ll have plenty of interesting choices, with many creative and far from the ordinary. There are ales and lagers galore, reflecting a range of styles and approaches, as well as porters and stouts that stretch the traditional boundaries. Several forward-thinking breweries are looking back, crafting new beers based on historical beer recipes. Oyster House Brewing Company cooks up Moonstone, a dry Irish stout brewed with, you guessed it, oysters. This 19th century English recipe hearkens back to a time when oysters were cheaper than peanuts and stout was the common man’s ale of choice. A few North Carolina breweries are ignoring styles altogether. Durham’s Fullsteam specializes in “plow to pint” beers that use local ingredients and often don’t fit neatly into any particular beer category. Carver is brewed with 500 pounds of North Carolina sweet potatoes, producing a surprisingly
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Dashboards and Saddlebags The Destination Magazine™
Happy Valentines Day!
WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE? subtle, hoppy-yet-malty lager. In Black Mountain, Pisgah Brewing Company brews an ever-changing repertoire of unusual and delicious beers, many of them higher in alcohol and worthy of aging like fine wine. Collaboration is a growing trend in the brewing community. For example, Olde Rabbit’s Foot is a collaboration between three leading North Carolina breweries: Olde Hickory (Hickory), The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery (Farmville), and Foothills (Winston-Salem). The beer is a blend of Olde Hickory’s imperial stout, Duck-Rabbit’s Rabid Duck, and Foothills’ Sexual Chocolate. The blended boozy beer is aged in 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle barrels. And then there are those that specialize in traditional European-style lagers and ales. Breweries that adhere to the Reinheitsgebot (the German Purity Law of 1516) include coastal Weeping Radish, the Piedmont’s Red Oak, and Heinzelmännchen in the mountains. Asheville’s Green Man and Chapel Hill’s Top of the Hill specialize in traditional English-style ales. Highland Brewing Company Continued 0n Page 30
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Turn Back Time in Saluda A
s you stroll along the peaceful streets of Saluda, it’s easy to allow yourself to be carried back into the early days of the community when residents rocked on the porches of the lovely Victorian homes and listened to the hiss of the trains that brought lowcountry visitors up the mountain to escape the heat. Even in the late 1800s, word had spread about the “thermal belt” in the Blue Ridge Mountains where warm air collected and moderated the temperature throughout the year.
Today, the town remains a prime attraction for visitors seeking pleasant weather, small-town friendliness and charm, and a place to slow down and savor the moment. The historic district, where Victorian homes still reign, has a business area steeped in history. Pace’s Store has been a focal point of downtown Saluda since 1899 and remains a marvel of timelessness. Locals will tell you there’s been a Thompson running a store on Main Street. for almost as long as there’s been a town. Thompson’s Store, founded in 1890, is the oldest grocery store in the state of North Carolina and still serves the community. Ward’s Grill was added to the store in the late 1950s, and is a guaranteed step back in time with many a homemade sausage biscuit and chili cheeseburger having passed over the counter to locals and visitors. Among the most popular items are homemade cornbread salad and the CJ Burger, a legendary combination of ground beef and sage-flavored sausage. After leaving the counter, a stroll down Saluda’s Main Street is probably a good idea. Plus this is a designated North Carolina Scenic Byway along which are a number of key sites, such as the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration and the Orchard Inn, both on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s obvious history’s call is strong in and around Saluda, but so is nature’s. Nearby is the 10,000-acre Green River Game Lands where you can fish, hike, canoe or just enjoy the tranquil mountain vistas. Or drive the 10-mile Pacolet River Byway that follows the Pacolet River from Tryon to Saluda, providing
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Dashboards and Saddlebags The Destination Magazine™
glimpses of waterfalls, wildflowers and beautiful landscape. One natural site not to be missed along this scenic journey is Pearson’s Falls. This North Carolina Heritage Site offers an easy quarter-mile walk up a wellmaintained path to a 90-foot waterfall. The glorious view is accented by the wildflowers that populate the river’s edge and rock ledges, and the picnic tables make it a perfect lunch spot. And if you’re looking for a special event to give you an excuse to come to Saluda, consider the annual Arts Festival or the Coon Dog Day Festival, billed as a homecoming and celebration for dogs and their people with food, live music, a parade and street dance.
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The Trailhead of Western North Carolina
www.discoverburkecounty.com
North Carolina’s Most Pristine Lake - Lake James One of North Carolina’s most scenic lakes, Lake James offers incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lake James State Park has a 600-ft long protected swimming beach with solar-powered hot showers, water-front picnic sites, and lake side camping. Lake James Cellars Winery is nearby.
Mystery in the Forest The Brown Mountain Lights These mysterious and unexplained lights have been seen for hundreds of years. Science cannot explain their origins! Visitors are intrigued by them. A mystery found no where else in North Carolina or the southeast U.S.
The Grand Canyon of the East The Linville Gorge 360-degree views from atop easily accessible Table Rock offer unmatched scenic beauty of the highest Blue Ridge peaks including Grandfather Mountain. See where the final scene from the motion picture “Last of The Mohicans” was filmed.
Award Winning Whites and Reds ! - Catawba Valley Wine Trail Our vineyards and wineries are growing! 6 wineries makeup the Catawba Valley Wine Trail along interstate 40 in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. Tasting rooms are open 6 days a week at most locations and feature both Bordeaux style dry red wines and regional adaptations of sweeter whites.
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Sippin’ Bridal Show at Historic Rural Hill R
ural Hill will host its first bridal show on Sunday, February 23 from 1-5pm. The “Sippin’ Bridal Show” will be an intimate setting for brides and vendors to meet while enjoying complementary wine, food, and door prizes. This show will give brides-to-be an opportunity to get to know local vendors and see their capabilities. Vendors attending include caterers, bar service, bakeries, photographers, a wedding planner, DJ, florist, and venue director. Many of the vendors will be offering discounts for those in attendance. This receptionstyle event is free, but reservations by February 16 are required. For additional information and to register, contact Rural Hill Event Director Lauren Petervary at lauren@ruralhill.net or (704) 875-3113. Event details can be found at www.myRHevent.com.
With its new Cultural Center and the gorgeous May Davidson Hall within, Rural Hill is quickly becoming a soughtafter wedding and rehearsal dinner venue. There are many options for the gathering of your friends and family when you say “I Do,” and Rural Hill provides an opportunity to step back in time and enjoy the history, beauty and serenity of this beautiful site.
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For more than 250 years in history…Rural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, 28078. The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre site is maintained and promoted by Rural Hill and features annual events such as the Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze and the Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials. For more information on events or for financial support accepted securely online, please visit www.ruralhill.net.
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Film Junkies Guide to North Carolina Surry County Star Tracks Floyd’s City Barber Shop
129 North Main Street, Mount Airy (336-7862346) The shop is open from 7 am to 5 pm on Monday - Wednesday, and Friday. 7 amto 3 pm on Saturday.
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aircuts cost less than $10. Bearing a striking resemblance to Floyd on “The Andy Griffith Show,” Russell Hiatt is Mount Airy’s star barber. He’s a tune by bluegrass artists The VW been cutting hair at his shop since Boys. But it’s the show’s reference that 1948. Don’t just peek, go inside and draws media attention and customers. behold an authentic Mayberry-style The Carolina blue exterior and 1950s barbershop. Adept at multitasking, sign beckon customers. Inside, the Hiatt chats with clients and visitors, no-frills diner sports paneling, faux sells souvenirs, poses for pictures, brick, booths, tables, a counter, and waves at passersby—all the while and an old-fashioned grill. Lining smiling and cutting hair. Customers the walls are stills from “The Andy don’t seem to mind the interruptions, Griffith Show,” pen-and-ink drawings the shop’s two chairs are rarely empty. of Mayberry, and photos of Mount Don’t be surprised if Hiatt asks to generous fried porkchop sandwich take your picture for his wall of fame, served with mustard, chili, slaw, which now boasts over 20,000 images, and onions—sells for less than three including celebs Oprah Winfrey, Lou bucks. Sandwiches are prepared by Ferrigno of “The Incredible Hulk” owner Charles Dowell and served fame, and George Lindsey, who played by friendly relatives and longtime Goober on “The Andy Griffith Show.” employee s. B ack i n t he 19 4 0 s , high-school st udent s prov ided Snappy Lunch much of Sn appy ’s lunch t rade. 125 North Main Street, Mount Airy (336-786- Today, approximately 90 percent 4931) Snappy Lunch is open from 5:45 am to of lunch patrons are visitors from 1:45 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and across the United States and abroad. Friday and from 5:45 am to 1:15 pm on Thursday Celebrity customers have included and Saturday. Oprah Winfrey, Lou Ferrigno of “The Incredible Hulk,” Mount Airy or a taste of Mayberry, the Snappy country-music diva Donna Fargo, Lunch is the place. An early Andy Griffith as a young boy, and episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” George Lindsey (Goober) and Aneta entitled “Andy the Matchmaker” Corsaut (Helen Crump) from “The refers to Mount Airy’s oldest dining Andy Griffith Show.” establishment, in business since 1923. Other references have followed From the Film Junkies Guide to North i n A ndy ’s ver s ion of t he s ong Carolina by Connie Nelson and Floyd “Silhouettes” and more recently in Harris. www.FilmJunkiesGuide.com
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“The most comprehensive way to learn where movies were made in North Carolina.”
--Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
The 160-plus entries in this travel guide are arranged geographically and include information about what movies and television series were filmed at each site. Available through Amazon barnes & noble Google Books
www.FilmJunkiesGuide.com
MARCH MUSIC! 7 Trey Calloway 14 Jonny & Jonny 21 Threse & Dane 22 Josh & Tyler 28 Trey Calloway
SUPERBOWL February 2nd
MONDAY 49¢ Wings! $1.75 Pints! $5 Jager Bombs
FRIDAY- LIVE MUSIC! $1.75 Mich Ultra & Amber $5 Washington Apple Shot!
SATURDAY TUESDAY - LIVE MUSIC! $1 Natural Light Kids Eat Free! $1.75 Bud & Bud Light Bottles Taco Tuesday $5 Tic Tac Shot $1.75 Domestic Bottles $5 Grape Gatorade Shot SUNDAY WEDNESDAY $10.50 Domestic Bucket Kids Eat Free! 49¢ Wings $1.75 Bud & Bud Light Bottles Country Lunch Specials Smoke House Nights $3.50 Bloody Mary $5 Royal Flush THURSDAY Fajitas + Bike Night $1.75 Mil er Lite Bottles $3.75 Margarita Rocks! 128D Argus Lane Mooresville, NC 28117 704-662-8851 SportsPageNC.com
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Have A Glass Of Wine In Jail
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orth Carolina’s wine industry is known for its boutique operations that are so friendly that visitors get to know the story behind the wine, but none of the state’s 100-plus wineries or in any other state are smaller or have a more interesting story than Calaboose Cellars in Andrews. In the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina, there’s a small vineyard with grapes growing around an old stone building with bars on the windows. This 300-square-foot building people say used to be used to lock up the hooligans is now where Calaboose Cellars incarcerates its wines. Calaboose is the smallest free-standing, complete winery in America with its production and tasting room all in the old jail. Calaboose wines range from dry to sweet and include country-style fruit wines and even dessert wines. Following its “grapes doin’ time” theme, several of the vintage’s names relate to the prison theme including Revinoor’s Red and Up-TheRiver Strawberry Rhubarb. Calaboose Cellars is a part of the Cherokee Wine Mini-Trail itinerary for wine fans Project 543 tells the story of visiting the North Carolina Smokies. unique spots across North North Carolina Wine Facts North Carolina is home to more than 100 wineries. The number of wineries has more than quadrupled since 2001. The industry has two focuses - native muscadine grapes and European-style vinifera grapes. Commonly planted vinifera grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier. They are planted in the Western and Piedmont regions of the state.
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Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.
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Photos from
Along the Way
find thousands more photos at DashboardsandSaddlebags.com
The Ultimate Olive & Vinegar Tasting Bar Experience! Our tasting bar offers you the ability to sample over 60 different varieties of our extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars and specialty oils.
119 N Main Street
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Brew Continued From Page 17 brews Scottish-inspired beers as well as seasonal releases. The state’s brewmasters also are an imaginative bunch, adept at taking local products (think bacon, for example) and using them to inspire new brew flavors. It’s impossible to predict when something new and unique is going to pour from a local tap. More breweries and restaurants are putting together menus and even special dinners that pair brews and dishes for a special taste sensation, while chefs are experimenting with beers as ingredients that produce often startling results. Since this is North Carolina, don’t be surprised to find beers paired with a traditional local favorite, pork barbecue.
that now take place around the state throughout the year. In fact, the entire month of April is devoted to a statewide celebration of beer and brewing under the banner of North Carolina Beer Month, with activities at venues from the mountains to the ocean. The North Carolina Brewers Guild is another good source for information about local beer and its community of brewers, wholesalers, retailers and enthusiasts. What’s readily obvious is that If you like beer, you’ll find a beer or two to love in North Carolina. Joe Rada and Sean Wilson contributed to this story
A great place to sample regional favorites is at one of many annual events
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Come visit the largest antique mall in the South 88,000 Square Feet • Over 625 Booths 325 McGill Ave. NW Concord, NC 28026 704-787-9351 www.depotgibsonmill.com Mon-Sat 10-7• Sunday 1-6 Find us on Facebook