Houmas House: Luxury along Plantation Road in Louisiana (Revisited)

07/13/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

(I am declaring a one-month sabbatical from blogging for July. The two reasons? 1) We’re FINALLY moving into our new house, and I desperately need to “make it into a home,” with all of the organizing, picture-hanging, accessorizing that entails. 2) The 11th Annual Pearson Cousins Camp will be held July 22-28. That week requires complete focus, attention and meticulous planning. So, for this month, we will revisit some of my favorite posts from the past three years that I have been blogging here at ThereGoesConnie.com).

Houmas House Plantation: Extraordinary Luxury and Natural Beauty

05/30/2016 BY: CCPEARSONCOMMENT

I just turned 66. Gasp! And, I’ve stayed in a lot of different hotel rooms. Notably, one was during a mission trip to Guatemala and cost $2.50 per night, which Steve deemed “highway robbery.” There was a bare light bulb hanging in the middle of the room, we slept on TOP of the sheets on the bed, and the shower had a crate on the floor to stand on rather than have cockroaches run across your feet. Seriously. I’ve slept under mosquito nets in Kenya where the outside grounds were being guarded by a man with a bow and arrow. On the other side of the spectrum, I’ve stayed in rooms overlooking Times Square, the crashing waves on the north shore of Oahu, the rolling surf of the Gulf of Mexico, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and one with the Capitol dome out the window. Most have been comfortable, convenient and served their purpose admirably.

A recent night in Louisiana stands out at the top, or certainly among the top 3 or 4 in my mind, in terms of purely luxurious furnishings in the room of an overnight cottage with astounding attention to details. Even the shower had a 12-foot ceiling and heavy crown molding!!! This was at the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow, Louisiana. Oh my. Do you have a splurge occasion coming up? Maybe a 25th or 50th wedding anniversary? Give this serious consideration. Not only will you be amazed at the quality of your room, but your tastebuds will be wildly satisfied by any of the three restaurants on the grounds.

Kevin Kelly, the present owner of Houmas House, actually lives in the mansion and is present often to make sure that the quality of accommodations, meals, gardens and tours of his home remains high.

Scenes from the gardens on the plantation grounds:

Scenes from inside and outside of the guest cottages.

Guest cottages added to the property 2 years ago.

Susan was our costumed guide when we toured the big house. She did a fabulous job of pointing out the phenomenal collection of art and antiques that Mr. Kelly has brought to this property. She told a fascinating story of the history of the home and the people who have lived there. Betty Davis stayed in one of the bedrooms while “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” was being filmed. As a special treat, I got to play that theme song on a very rare 1901 Steinway piano while Susan sang.

“Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte”

Steinway piano made in Germany in 1901

Scenes from the Big House:

100% free-standing, floating staircase

Houmas House Plantation is referred to as both “The Sugar Palace” and “Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road.”

Read my article in Epicurean-Traveler.com hereabout the Carriage House Restaurant, and take a look at my article in Trip101.com about the accommodations at Houmas House.

7 Reasons to Visit St. Simons Island, Georgia – (Revisited)

07/09/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

7 Outstanding Reasons to Visit St. Simons Island, GA

01/30/2017 BY: CCPEARSON2 COMMENTS

Last April, Steve and I were invited to participate in a press trip to St. Simons Island, a place that was completely new to us. The purpose of the trip was to introduce travel writers and bloggers to a part of the Atlantic Coast which is unknown to many. We absolutely loved it! The setting, the resort, the historical connections, the quirks, the special people and the FOOD were all amazing. If you go — and I hope you will — let me mention 7 things you should not miss.

King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. I have written about it extensively here. But, I want to mention it again, specially because of the over-the-top cuisine of Chef James Flack. It helps, of course, that he has abundant seafood literally in his back yard (the Resort IS oceanfront), but his culinary skills and imagination take dishes to new heights. I don’t think I had ever seen such beautiful food, without even considering the incredible taste.

One section of historic King and Prince Resort.

Bounty from the Atlantic.

2. Cap Fendig. Whether you want a relaxed trolley tour on land or a boat tour to spot dolphins on your way to Sidney Lanier Bridge, Cap Fendig should be your go-to source. He is a native of St. Simons and knows the place through and through. We got to experience his knowledge in both settings and enjoyed him thoroughly. Such a great personality.

Cap Fendig’s trolley

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Boat in the port on St. Simons Island

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Cap Fendig’s boat

Cap Fendig teaching his guests about his island

3. Visit Christ Church on Frederica Road. Read about its storied history here. Such names as James Oglethorpe and John Wesley immediately get your attention. You’ll find descriptions of stained glass windows, one of which is an authentic, unsigned Tiffany creation, and of the gorgeous needlework wall hangings. And when you sit in the pews, you will enjoy knowing that former U.S. Presidents Coolidge, Carter and Bush may have sat in the same spot. The adjoining cemetery is also a fascinating place to spend some time. Be sure to find the burial spot of Southern novelist,Euginia Price. The words on her tombstone are: “After her conversion to Jesus Christ, October 2, 1949, she wrote ‘Light … and eternity and love and all are mine at last.” Indeed.

Pew in Christ Church

4. Visit Fort Frederica National Monument. Yes, this is the place where the British defeated the Spanish in 1742, which meant that Georgia remained a British colony. But, the National Park Service has expanded the guest experience to include much more. It is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day from 9:00 to 5:00. Plan to spend a couple of hours, and I guarantee you’ll come out feeling smarter than when you went in.

Fort Frederica

5. Go to the beautiful Visitors Center and see the mermaid tree spirit carved by Keith Jennings beside the building. There are other tree spirits scattered throughout the island. Ask questions in the Visitors Center or read more here. Don’t worry. We were told that these carvings do NOT harm the trees. Seems implausible, but that’s the information we got.

Interior of the Visitors Center

6. Visit the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, take the colorful, informative tour, and climb to the top if you’re feeling energetic. Lighthouses are not a part of our Alabama culture. Maybe that’s what makes them doubly intriguing to me. This one is really beautiful. And, of course, my Silver Fox made the climb.

7. Enjoy dinner at Georgia Sea Grill. This is another place to find delectable seafood prepared by an accomplished chef. Check out a few of the dishes we sampled with our tablemates. So, so good.

Look at the size of those scallops!

Georgia Sea Grill

Look at your calendar. Pick out some dates. Start planning a visit to St. Simons Island. You’ll be glad.

Whitney Plantation – Focus on the Plight of the Slaves (Revisited)

07/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

On this day after we celebrated our nation’s independence, it seems fitting to look back at a post I wrote about the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana. The emphasis on the displays at the Whitney is clearly on those who were NOT allowed to be free or independent. I strongly recommend that you plan a visit. It will change you.

Whitney Plantation — A Focus on the Slaves

06/01/2016 BY: CCPEARSONCOMMENT

I can’t leave Louisiana’s Plantation Country without telling you about Whitney Plantation, probably the “most different” of them all. Begun as a sugar cane operation in 1752, it was finally opened to the public for the very first time in 2014, and has the distinction of being the ONLY plantation in Louisiana that is dedicated solely to educating the public about the slaves and the conditions under which they lived and worked.

Located on Highway 18 in Wallace, LA, you will not leave from a visit to Whitney the same way you arrived. The tour, the exhibits, and the surroundings will make a lasting impression. It’s very sobering to be confronted so graphically with the cruelty these innocent human beings endured. There are many museums dedicated to telling the story of the Holocaust, but this is the only place in the United States where the issue of slavery is dealt with so passionately and vividly. Interviews in the 1930’s with more than 2300 former slaves were conducted as part of the Federal Writers’ Project. The information and quotes scattered throughout the Whitney grounds and in the narrated tour are derived from those interviews.

John Cummings, a New Orleans lawyer and multi-millionaire who has become one of the largest landowners in the area, owns Whitney Plantation and is vehement about the need to educate people, not about the rich white people who inhabited “the big houses” with their art and fine antiques, but about the people who actually sweated, toiled and were beaten in the process of making those big-house-dwellers wealthy. He believes that “racism needs to become an antique through education.”

Mr. Cummings continues to put money where his convictions are through the Good Shepherd School in New Orleans. They started with 12 black students and are now up to 88. Students attend classes 6 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. 11 months a year. Expectations are high, and black students are rising to the challenge. “What a change we can make (in this country) when we send more black men and women to college than to the penitentiary,” Cummings preaches.

Statues of slave children that are on the grounds are the work of Woodrow Nash.

Statue inside Antioch Church on the grounds of Whitney Plantation.

Statues of slave children by Woodrow Nash.

I strongly urge you to include Whitney Plantation in your itinerary whenever you are in this part of the country. An article in National Geographic calls it “The Plantation Every American Should Visit.” I agree.

3 Alabama Gulf Coast Restaurants I Highly Recommend (Revisited)

07/02/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

I am declaring a one-month sabbatical from blogging for July. The two reasons? 1) We’re FINALLY moving into our new house, and I desperately need to “make it into a home,” with all of the organizing, picture-hanging, accessorizing that entails. 2) The 11th Annual Pearson Cousins Camp will be held July 22-28. That week requires complete focus, attention and meticulous planning. So, for this month, we will revisit some of my favorite posts from the past three years that I have been blogging here at ThereGoesConnie.com.

Today, since many of you will be headed to the beach, let me remind you of 3 restaurants I’d love to suggest.

3 Restaurants in/near the Alabama Gulf Coast that I Recommend “Hungrily” 🙂

03/21/2016 BY: CCPEARSON2 COMMENTS

My Silver Fox and I found three WONDERFUL restaurants on a recent trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Two are relatively new, and one goes all the way back to 1958. They are not really in competition with each other. One is in Spanish Fort, one in Gulf Shores, and one in Orange Beach. Two are completely casual. One has a casual downstairs and a “dressy” upstairs. All three serve great seafood, but they each put their own spins on it and serve original recipes.

BLUEGILL is located on the Mobile Causeway within just a few miles of USS Alabama and the Battleship Memorial Park. The same owners also have nearby Felix’s Fish Camp. Both serve seafood, but they also have unique menus. BLUEGILL is famous for its Flaming Oysters. It has a capacity for 500 diners and offers nightly musical entertainment. By all means, go when you can take advantage of the gorgeous sunsets. Great food. Wonderful setting. Efficient staff. BLUEGILL was opened in 1958. Check out the website and read my fuller article here. Even Elvis liked it.

Grilled mahi mahi topped with crabmeat and cheese.

Sunset over the Mobile Delta at the back of BLUEGILL on the Mobile Causeway.

BLUEGILL Home of Famous Flaming Oysters, Spanish Fort, AL

2. BEACH HOUSE KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS is 1/2 block off of West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL. You will love the fresh ingredients and housemade juices, dressings, and sauces. Owner Brent Sexton opened in November of 2014, and he is growing a very enthusiastic following. Indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of flatscreen TVs are available. Mike will hook you up with one of his special dessert creations. Key lime pie or red velvet cheesecake, anyone? Beach House was so clean. Everything gleamed. We were there for an early lunch. I’m sure it “hops” at night. Check out the website and read my article here.

Mahi mahi grilled tacos on pineapple slaw with fresh green beans and sauteed onions and black beans with spices and lime juice.

Beach House front sign — 1154 West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL.

Interior of Beach House Kitchen.

3. FISHER’S AT ORANGE BEACH MARINA has a great location in a quiet cove. Chef Bill Briand is a recent nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South award. He oversees both the downstairs DOCKSIDE location and the more formal UPSTAIRS dining room. The food has a cajun influence because of Chef Bill’s background, and it is delicious. Owner Johnny Fisher opened in 2013 and by 2014 and 2015, Fisher’s was already recognized by Southern Living as being one of the Best Restaurants in the South. If you are very lucky, you might be seated at a table served by Elena. She is a delightful girl from Moldova. I had never met anyone from Moldova before. Fascinating. Check out the website and read my article here.

The serene marina beside Fisher’s in Orange Beach.

Hummus with garlic and onions served with freshly baked pita wedges. Yum!!

Fisher’s server Elena from Moldova

EMERALD FARM in Greenwood, S.C. — Goats, Peacocks and Trains, Oh My!

06/29/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

A visit to Emerald Farm in Greenwood, South Carolina, will leave you amazed that one woman could possibly manage so many animals and hobbies while staying relaxed, dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, and content in her impressive and popular environment.

Kathy Zahn explains her soap-making technique.

Kathy Zahn in her workshop.

Kathy Zahn almost seems to know something about everything, but she’s a particular expert in Saanen goats. Saanen goats originated in Switzerland and are known for their excellent milk, which is good for drinking or for making cheese. This milk is used at Emerald Farm for making soap and all kinds of good-for-you products. Check out the list here. Yes, shipping is available.

A curious Saanen goat

Kathy also enjoys the many peacocks that roam around her house, in her yard and throughout the 75 acres of tree-studded pastureland. The peacocks were fun to watch, especially when their distinctive feathers were on grand display. But, the peacocks are also joined on the farm by llamas, cows, ducks, chickens, and even honeybees.

A llama checks out the visitors.

Proud as a peacock.

One of dozens of peacocks roaming freely on Emerald Farm.

A shop for gifts and antiques contains many treasures, and guests are allowed to wander through the herb garden. Be sure to notice the handcrafted birdhouses for sale.

So many activities at Emerald Farm.

Handmade birdhouses for sale.

Toys and antiques

A separate building houses a Train and Hobby Shop, and upstairs is a jaw-dropping display of model trains running along yards and yards of tracks in the Model Railroad Clubhouse. Outside there is a real train you can ride around the property, complete with a small waiting area set up like a real train station. Tickets to ride are $2.75, and you’ll get a great view of the whole farm during the trip.

Model Railroad Club

Here comes the train.

All aboard! I wish I’d had time for a ride. The grands would have loved it.

It’s easy to understand why Emerald Farm is popular for school groups on field trips. The farm can even be booked for a birthday party or other special gathering of people wanting to take advantage of the picnic area or the pavilion by the pond.

Admission and parking are both free, and visitors are welcome from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For a guided tour, you’ll need to call for a reservation. Check the website for further details.

Wildberry Lodge: A B & B With An Awe-inspiring View Outside Asheville, N.C.

06/25/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Ken and Glenda Cahill had a dream — a log cabin home in the mountains. They started by searching far and wide for an expanse of land with a building site that could take advantage of the gorgeous seasons on display every year in the Great Smoky Mountains. They finally found 45 acres in the perfect spot. Then, they decided on a floor plan and had Maple Island Log Homes in Michigan craft it out of red pine logs. Meticulously, each log was notched and numbered, then the house was dismantled and loaded onto seven 18-wheelers and trucked to North Carolina. There it was reassembled, and Ken and Glenda began the back-breaking, tedious work of staining each log and chinking between every crevice. Next came the roof, windows, doors, plumbing and all the other million details that go into making a shell of a structure into a liveable home. During the 2-year process, Ken and Glenda kept their “day jobs” through the week, and then camped out on the property on weekends — in all seasons — to complete their labor of love. Along the way, they realized that the most practical way to be able to afford their large dream home was to share it and make it functional as a Bed and Breakfast.

View of the lodge from the road

The main lodge sits at an elevation of 2700 feet, a perfect vantage point for the sweeping vista below. As they explored their newly-acquired property, they discovered all kinds of berries growing on the hillside. The name Wildberry Lodge became the logical choice. The names for the five guest rooms follow the theme: Gooseberry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry and the larger Blackberry Suite. Steve and I stayed in the Blueberry Room, but, because it was vacant at the time, I was also able to get a good look at the Strawberry Room.

Strawberry Room

Blueberry room

Several years after the lodge opened in 2002, a guest cabin was added that is a perfect honeymoon suite because of its separate location and privacy, but it can also be opened up and rented for a whole family with both upstairs and downstairs rooms to enjoy.

Honeymoon cabin

Each room has its own private bath and balcony or deck. Highspeed wireless internet is provided, and fireplaces are in most rooms.

Private bath

There is a large great room downstairs by the kitchen with a huge stone fireplace, and an upstairs loft has a flatscreen TV and sitting area with snacks, drinks in a refrigerator and a large DVD collection.

Large great room with stone fireplace

Upstairs loft

The basement has a fully-equipped game room with a pool table, tabletop shuffleboard, and video games.

Game room in the basement.

Outdoors, guests will find a large deck (perfect for basking in the natural surroundings), hammock swings, a fire pit for Smores, and a hot tub.

Large deck overlooking the mountains

View from the deck

hot tub

Afternoon appetizers are prepared, which we enjoyed thoroughly, but almost every B & B guest I’ve ever met mentioned the anticipation of breakfast as being at the top of their reasons for staying in a Bed and Breakfast. Check out a fuller description here, but on the morning we were at Wildberry Lodge, the menu consisted of Wine-Poached Plum, Lemon Pecan Pancakes, Sausage Patties, Lemon Cream Roll with Strawberries. It was delicious, and the setting was superb.

Granola and juices on the sideboards

Wine-poached plum

The innkeepers don’t allow guest to bring pets, but they have cows, goats, 4 rescue dogs and a cat on the property. So, if you’re an animal lover, you’ll be in good company.

Goats on the property

Another couple who were guests when Steve and I stayed at Wildberry chose it specifically to decompress from very hectic jobs. They purposefully wanted to unplug, to avoid traffic, to unwind, relax and refocus. The lodge is rustic, natural and peaceful, and the innkeepers are very environmentally aware, implementing lots of “green” practices. They are hospitable and happy to give you recommendations about nearby restaurants and attractions. The lodge is 12 miles from Asheville, and you’ll need your GPS to find it off of some windy, country roads, but if natural beauty and a place to just “be” is on your want list, then Wildberry Lodge is a great choice.

RHUBARB: Highly-Acclaimed Chef Brings Marvelous Meals to Asheville, N.C.

06/22/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Whether you visit Asheville, North Carolina to see the Biltmore Home and Gardens, to explore the art scene or simply to take in the beautiful scenery, I urge you to make reservations for dinner at RHUBARB located at 7 SW Pack Square. And, go one step further and request to be seated at the chef’s area where you can watch the culinary wizardry take place. You will be so impressed, AND you’ll enjoy a memorable meal.

Chef John Fleer was born and grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C. He majored in theology at Duke University and started working toward a master’s degree. But, a part-time job led him to his true passion of food and cooking. He left graduate school and enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Along the way of honing his skills in the kitchen, he had an amazing weekend job as a private chef for Mary Tyler Moore! Wow.

He made his way back to the South when he was hired as a chef for Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN. During the almost 15 years that Chef Fleer was at Blackberry, he is credited for developing a signature style known as “Foothills Cuisine.” It combines the hearty foods originating from the Smoky Mountains with the products of the Farm’s heirloom garden and the freshest regional produce. Dishes contain both gourmet and Southern comfort elements. Now that Chef Fleer has his own restaurant in Asheville, he still is dedicated to seeking out the finest possible ingredients to use in creating dishes for his guests.

Chef Fleer has been a finalist FIVE TIMES for the James Beard award as Best Chef Southeast. With all of his impressive credentials, I was a little intimidated to be seated so near as he conducted what appeared to be a finely-tuned symphony of kitchen staff members, pots, pans, foods, an open grill, sizzling skillets, fresh herbs and wood-fired ovens. Yet, when I had a short time to chat, I found him extremely personable with a ready smile and a quick wit. It didn’t surprise me to learn that he is married to his high school sweetheart. They have three sons, and the family shares a passion for playing and watching soccer. That tells me that he purposely seeks to have a life outside the kitchen, and I think that ability to find balance in his life is at least one of the keys to his success.

Rhubarb opened in October of 2013 in a couple of storefronts in Pack Square in a room that was formerly an adult bookstore. Pack Square is located at the intersection of Patton, Biltmore and Broadway Avenues in Downtown Asheville’s Historic District.

The menu is constantly changing to reflect the best of each season. The night Steve and I were there, we shared the Goat Cheese Burrata with Rhubarb Jam, Pickled Strawberries and Crispy Shallots.

Then, we had the nightly fresh fish for our entree.

To end our meal, we had probably the most unusual dessert we’ve ever been served. The Executive Pastry Chef is 31-year-old Kaley Laird. She prides herself on imaginative flavor combinations. We had a fabulous creation called “Dream of Summer” that had just the right amount of sweetness and was extremely intriguing and satisfying. According to Chef Kaley, this dessert is reminiscent of the S’Mores she remembers from her youth with even the smokiness of the campfire infused in the flavors. This was the description on the menu: “Burnt Sage Ganache, Marshmallow Panna Cotta, Smoked Caramel, Sage Ice Cream, Almond Butter and Benne Seed Crumble.” Read more about her and about Chef Fleer on the Rhubarb website.

Here are some photos of the crew at work: One makes salads while shrimp is sauteeing. Another is handling the grill and the oven, while another checks internal meat temperatures. Chef Fleer makes sure that every plate leaving the kitchen area is presented perfectly. We saw one plate — that I would have thought was just fine — handed back to a staff member to redo according to more exact standards. It was impressive.

Rhubarb is closed on Tuesdays, so check the website and make your reservations before you head to Asheville. I believe you’ll be in for a delicious experience.

LEARNING FROM PASSIONATE PEOPLE: Engineers Reinvented as Innkeepers in Asheville, N.C.

06/18/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Dan and Diane Rogers earned degrees in engineering back during their college days, but he migrated into a sales position, and she became a stay-at-home mom and honed her skills in the kitchen. Eventually, she took a job as a Girl Friday/bookkeeper for a CPA friend. Little did they realize that they were being perfectly groomed to eventually reinvent themselves as owners of a B & B in Asheville, N.C. Dan’s sales job took an unexpected turn, and they found themselves trying to figure out what to do next — and were still young enough and healthy enough to pursue something completely different. Pinecrest B & B was for sale. They snatched it up, began the steep learning curve, and now have a very successful business that is a vibrant part of the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association.

Pinecrest B & B, nestled in an Asheville neighborhood.

Steve and I met Dan and Diane the afternoon after spending hours at the Biltmore Home and Gardens. The Biltmore was amazing, especially with the displays of Chihuly glass, but we were worn completely out. I rang the bell and was greeted by their smiling faces. What a relief! They showed Steve and me to our beautiful room, gave us a quick tour of the common areas, offered to answer any questions we had, and then left us to rest and recuperate.

Welcoming foyer/entranceway.

Dining room for breakfast.

Sitting area in the sunroom.

A welcome bag was in the room with some of the most delicious popcorn I’ve ever eaten. Diane could go into the popcorn business and be a huge success, but there was more. Fresh peanut butter cookies with chocolate ganache were waiting on a sideboard. Oh. My. Goodness. The recipe is embedded in the inn’s website under their blog. Here’s a link. They are somewhat labor-intensive, but I can guarantee they will become a cookie you dream about. And, can you believe it? The cookies are gluten free!!

Delectable popcorn created by Diane Rogers.

Afternoon treat – peanut butter cookies with chocolate ganache.

The beds are equipped with sheets and bedding by Comphy. The rooms are filled with delightful amenities. You’ll enjoy a truly comfortable night’s sleep. THEN COMES BREAKFAST!.

Guest room – Grace Suite.

Dan is the congenial host, serving the guests — ladies first, of course — and being sure everyone has what they want. In the meantime, Diane works her magic in the kitchen. Breakfast is served at 9:00 a.m., but for guests who have to leave earlier, a to-go breakfast is provided. Listen to the menu when we were there: Deviled eggs, Asparagus and Proscuitto, Stuffed French Toast with fresh peaches and maple syrup, and Breakfast Sausage with coffee, tea or juice. It was outstanding and served so attractively. There were 10 of us at the table, including a couple from Ireland, so the conversation was stimulating and fun.

Deviled eggs, asparagus wrapped in proscuitto.

Stuffed French Toast with fruit and sausage.

I so regret that I didn’t get a photo of Dan and Diane, but there’s a great one on the Pinecrest website. The moral of this whole story is that it is entirely possible for people to put their whole life experience to use in very unexpected ways and be highly successful. The possibilities are almost endless.

If you plan a trip to Asheville, I urge you to consider staying at Pinecrest B & B. Meet Dan and Diane. Enjoy their hospitality and be inspired by them.

LEARNING FROM PASSIONATE PEOPLE: 2 Incredible Young Women in the World of Hospitality

06/15/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

My favorite part of being a travel writer is meeting passionate, talented people. During a recent visit that took me to Charlotte, NC and Greenwood, SC, I met two women — both young, both highly motivated, both energetic and both making a difference in their chosen professions.

First let me introduce you to Miranda Brown, the 24-year-old Executive Pastry Chef at The Asbury in Charlotte, NC. Did you catch her age and her title? She also serves as a Sous Chef to Executive Chef Matthew Krenz, giving her a chance to work in the savory area once in awhile. Can you believe how fit and trim a pastry chef can be? No doubt, she is possessed with great genes, but she is also always on the move and probably has little time to just sit and consume calories.

Miranda Brown, Executive Pastry Chef, The Asbury, Charlotte, N.C.

Miranda loves to start with a fruit or other single ingredient and uses that as her inspiration as she creates. Miranda trained under Ashley Boyd at 300 East, and Boyd’s teaching continues to echo in Miranda’s mind, especially when she incorporates fresh herbs into her desserts. A recent one, for example, is White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Fennel Gel, Pickled Shaved Fennel, and Apple Relish. That makes a dessert sound positively healthy, don’t you think?

White chocolate panna cotta.

Sticky buns stuffed with country ham and goat cheese icing are also signature items on The Asbury’s menu. Miranda oversees the baking of hundreds of these every day.

Sticky buns at The Asbury.

The Asbury is adjacent to The Dunhill Hotel at 237 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. I highly recommend that you try both the restaurant and the hotel when you are in Charlotte, and, by all means, save room for dessert!

Next, I traveled to the Old 96 District in South Carolina and stayed at the Inn on the Square at 104 East Court Avenue in Greenwood, SC. That’s where I met Claire Griffith, the hotel’s General Manager, a delightful whirlwind.

Claire Griffith, General Manager, Inn on the Square, Greenwood, S.C.

Claire started out in the food and beverage side of the hospitality industry by watching her mother work and doing everything she was told to do — even as a child. The work was hard, but she loved the excitement of it all. Her mother also pointed her in the direction of hotels, and she got the first job she ever applied for in that area. Love brought her to Greenwood, S.C. when her boyfriend (now husband) wanted to move back to his hometown. At the time, there weren’t many openings in the hospitality field, so she joined a catering team at Lander University.

All the while, she kept her eyes on a property in the corner of Greenwood’s Uptown, and she was elated when Jim McGuinness and Wesley Oldham bought it and started the renovation. When the time was right, she marched in and announced to the men, “You need me!” Never mind the fact that she was seven months pregnant at the time, they believed her and had the good judgment to hire her. The hotel opened for business on October 1, 2015, and she gave birth on November 10, 2015. Talk about a Superwoman!!

Inn on the Square, Greenwood, S.C.

Claire almost seems to be everywhere all the time. She gave me some time to talk about the hotel’s history at the end of a full day, and we saw her again early the next morning when she breezed through the dining room to grab some coffee — obviously gearing up for another busy day. Inn on the Square is indeed fortunate to have her energy and her zest for the job. I hope they will keep her at the helm for a long time to come.

South Carolina’s Festival of Flowers: Greenwood, SC Takes Center Stage

06/11/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Today’s blog post will be primarily a visual feast. June 1-3, 2018 was the most recent version of the South Carolina Festival of Flowers held in Greenwood, South Carolina. Steve and I happened to be there a few days before the event and had a chance to take photos of some whimsical and gorgeous topiaries and sidewalk displays. They were so much fun and showcased great skill and creativity. It is already on my calendar to be there for this event in 2019, and I urge you to do the same.

Stroll with me down the main street of uptown Greenwood.

Mama and baby elephant topiary

Greenwood sidewalk

Dog and hydrant topiary

Ducks and frogs topiary

Chick-Fil-A type cow topiary

Seahorse topiary

More colorful plantings

Roar!!!

Fanciful pig topiary.

Mermaid and dolphin topiary.

When you visit Greenwood, SC, I would strongly suggest that you book your lodging at Inn on the Square. It is within easy walking distance of all the action and features a wonderful restaurant on site. Peach corn muffins, anyone? Also, your stay includes a full breakfast in the comfortable, well-appointed dining room.

Looking down on the reception desk at Inn on the Square.

Nearby restaurant options include Kickers and The Mill House, or make the short drive to Edgefield and enjoy lunch or dinner at Old Edgefield Grill, housed in a beautiful home originally built in 1907.

Old Edgefield Grill. restaurant in vintage home.

Other attractions while you’re in what is referred to as the “Old 96 District” include: Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site, Emerald Farm (for wonderful goat milk health products as well as a train and hobby shop), Ninety-Six National Historic Site, and the one-of-a-kind National Wild Turkey Federation Museum.

National Wild Turkey Federation exhibit.

The Old 96 District encompasses the South Carolina counties of Abbeville, Edgefield, McCormack, Laurens and Greenwood. Check out their website if you’re planning a trip to or through that part of the state.

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