Have you seen Southern Living’s latest survey? The popular magazine is trying to find the tastiest town in the South. Raleigh was picked among ten Southern cities for outstanding cuisine. However, at last check Raleigh ranked 10th in the voting. Even Baltimore beats us. We only have a week to push Raleigh up in the poll. Can you believe the frontrunner – Lafayette, LA?

I am quite proud of Raleigh’s cuisine. We have made tremendous strides on the culinary front over the last ten to 15 years. Glenwood South and the rebirth of downtown Raleigh are two major factors. Cary has also come on strong along with Durham and Chapel Hill.

It’s interesting that Raleigh was the only North Carolina city to make the top ten tasty town list. I could possibly tolerate losing to Charleston but not to Lafayette, Louisville or Decatur. So, if you have pride in Raleigh’s restaurant scene please vote this week.

Here’s my question – what is your favorite restaurant...

What is your favorite state park? What about your favorite state park in the winter? The state came out this week with a report on some dramatic visitation increases at our state parks in 2011. I am not surprised considering the health of the economy. Many folks stayed close to home and saved money.

I would like to suggest three state parks for the winter. I’ll begin with Pettigrew State Park in Creswell. Try to go before the end of the month so you can enjoy the migrating tundra swans and snow geese. It is both a haunting and glorious experience to see and hear the sounds of the wintering birds in Washington and Tyrrell counties.

I also recommend Fort Macon State Park near Morehead City in the winter. Maybe you will be fortunate to go on an unseasonably warm day allowing you to sit in a beach chair and read a book and listen to the crashing waves. I love walking on this beach in the winter. It can get awfully crowded in the summer.

For many of the same...

How were your holidays? Did you receive any unusual gifts?  I received a mysterious gift. It was sitting on my desk when I returned to work Monday. It was accompanied by a hand written note that read: 

 I crafted this for you and your family. Enjoy it! Merry Christmas.     Earl Simpson/  Brasstown, NC 

I have attached a picture of this hammered copper vessel with a brass handle. I really like the piece. It looks like something you would find at Quaker Meadows in Morganton where my ancestors lived before the Revolutionary War. 

I would like to send Mr. Simpson a thank you note but he didn’t leave a phone number or address and I haven’t been able to locate anyone in Brasstown by his name. Perhaps he put this together at John C. Campbell Craft School in the mountains at Brasstown but lives elsewhere. 

At...

What is your favorite gift recommendation this year? Please share your ideas as we try to tie up our shopping for another holiday season.

My recommendation to you is an absolutely gorgeous CD called Together We’ll Go by Andrea Osborne. Andrea’s debut album is in honor of her mother who is battling Alzheimer’s Disease. Andrea has one of those golden voices that grips your heart and soul. She also has the amazing ability to articulate her vision for a song and surround it with perfect support. This album which benefits Alzheimer’s North Carolina was meticulously crafted, mixed and mastered. Andrea and co-producer John Plymale of Overdub Lane in Durham truly should have a hit on their hands.

Together We’ll Go is an album you will listen to over and over again. The songs all ring of hope, healing and love beginning with Now Comes the Night with the fabulous fiddling of Nicky Sanders. I had the...