July 31 - August 10 - On the Road Again
Leaving NC for the annual pilgrimage to see family and friends in other parts of the world. Okay, so some of them were just here a week ago, but it's our turn to land on their turff. I won't be updating the site until we return. And yep, the muttley crew is coming too. Apologies for any inconvenience.
July 29, 2009 - Out and About in Smithfield - Carolina Premium Outlets
There's nothing like a bit of retail therapy (think shoes) to lift the spirits. North Carolina is loaded with outlet centers for just about anything you're looking for and shoes are no exception.
Carolina Premium Outlets (Chelsea Premium Outlets), is located in Smithfield (about 35 miles southeast of Raleigh) and has 80 outlets for upscale stores like Coach, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger, Carolina Pottery, Gap, Nike, Reebok, Timberland and more.
I snagged a smashing shade of M-A-C lip color that complimented the fab pair of kicks I found at Nine West, and had money left over for a cute little designer bag and a yummy lunch. Ah, the joy of outlet shopping!
To see a list of stores and get more info: Click Here
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 24, 2009 - Out and About in Asheville
Maybe it's the location in the western, mountainous part of the state; or the artistic community; great funky shops; or perhaps the majestic Biltmore Estate that gives Asheville its underlying buzz of energy. Probably a combination of all, but whatever Asheville is doing - it's doing it right.
This is a place that everyone, regardless of their travel preference, can enjoy at any time of the year. Bonus - there's always a lot of free / inexpensive things going on for budget conscious travelers to take advantage of, and if you're a nature lover, you've hit the jackpot.
I love spending time in the downtown area when I'm there. It's so much fun to check out the shops and restaurants - and to hit the town at night to sample Asheville's excellent music scene.
Another plus, Asheville is a coffee lover's dream with its coffee shops and bistros brewing up some of the best coffee I have found anywhere, including Seattle. My coffee house of choice? The Green Sage on Broadway.
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 21, 2009 - Out and About in Duke Gardens
One of my favorite places in Durham, The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, is often called "The Crown Jewel of Duke University". Set on 55 acres in the center of the West Campus, near the Duke University Medical Center, it is known as one of the top public gardens in the United States.
Visitors come from all over the world to walk the gardens grounds, which are open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk. Parking is available inside of the gardens gate. There is a fee for parking Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday / Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Most of the site is accessible. Trolly tours are available with prior notice.
There is also a Memorial Garden where ashes may be placed. Contact Duke Gardens for more information.
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 17, 2009 - Out and About in Southern Village
Southern Village is really in Chapel Hill, but it's such a fun, funky neighborhood that I always tend to think of it as its own entity. Established in 1994, Southern Village consists of homes, townhouses, condos, and apartments, and a great retail area that isn't very large, but is very hip (yes, I really just wrote that). Walk the few blocks along Market Street up to the Village Green and you won't see a Family Dollar, Dollar General, or Wal-Mart in sight. Instead, you'll find businesses like Incredible Edibles (gourmet fruit baskets) and Weaver Street Market (like Whole Foods, but better).
The North Carolina Symphony plays an annual concert on the Village Green, as do other entertainers throughout the year. On most days, one can see families and individuals relaxing on the lawn, enjoying each other or a good book. And Weaver Street always seems to have something fun going on.
One of the most striking buildings you'll see as you enter the main area of Southern Village is Christ United Methodist Church, a truly stunning church located at 800 Market Street. Though modern, the entry reminded me of the medieval Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, UK (exterior used as part of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films). If I dig up the photo of me and the HP kiddies (okay, so they're cardboard), I'll drop it in for comparison). The photo on the left is Christ UM Church in Southern Village.
... and an update....
**On a side note that has nothing to do with Southern Village - Today, Körner's Folly made their official announcement confirming the paranormal investigation findings that resulted in the site being declared haunted by the SPARS team. Ahem... read my blog post for July 1... and read the write up on the Folly here
Photos: Top left: entry of Christ United Methodist Church at Southern Village;
Bottom right: Körner's Folly in Kernersville
All photos by: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 15, 20009 - Out and About in Greensboro
Even though Greensboro is North Carolina's third largest city (after Charlotte and Raleigh), the historic part of town retains an old time charm. It has a lazy feel (I mean this in a good way), but trendy restaurants in the area give it an underlying energy. It's a nice place to walk around.
I parked the car near the Carolina Theatre, which is a short walking distance to the old Woolworth's building on Elm. This is a landmark in Civil Rights history as it is the site of the 1960 sit-in started by four African American college students that were refused service at the "Whites Only" lunch counter after they sat down. Instead of getting up, these courageous students stayed put, and history was made.
Part of the original lunch counter is now in the Smithsonian, however, the Greensboro building is being developed as an International Civil Rights Museum. Word is that the projected opening is in Feb. 2010.
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 11, 2009 - Out and About in Hillsborough
This couple is just so attractive that I have to get them both in. Blackfeather Jeffries and his wife, Lynette, gave Native American demonstrations at the Orange County Historical Muesum as part of "Native American Day at the Orange County Museum".
Hillsborough has a rich Native American past and it was interesting to listen to them speak.
I'll be adding more about Hillsborough in the NC Heartland, Hillsborough section of this site (so much to do - so many things going on) and plan to include another section focusing on the Native American heritage in that area. Check back as I hope to meet again with this intriguing couple.
The Orange County Historical Museum is located at 201 N. Churton Street in the historic district of Hillsborough.
photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 8, 2009 - Out and About in Durham
My first experience with AAA baseball was as a kid in Junior High. Since my hometown hosted a AAA team (Syracuse Chiefs), we got to leave school early on Opening Day if we could produce a ticket to that day's game. Not one to be left out in matters of leaving school early, I begged for - and received - my ticket.
I enjoyed the game, but it was more fun running around the stands. Throughout the years, I have gained an appreciation for baseball (dating a Pittsburgh Pirates AAA player helped). That, combined with my love of film (if you make 'em, you should love 'em), and all things Susan Sarandon, I had to check out the former Durham Bulls stadium, one of the locations for the 1988 film BULL DURHAM. The Bulls are now playing in a multi-million dollar stadium in the American Tobacco Historic District, but the old stadium is intact and sits about a mile north of their new digs - and it is still being used by various groups.
To look at it, it doesn't seem like anything special, even though it has contributed to baseball history. Read my examiner article about the Bulls CLICK HERE
note: the article will soon be posted here too with more information and photos. Check the NC Heartland section of this site and look under Durham
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 4, 2009 - Out and About in Raleigh - Capital District
This dapper looking fellow, Glenn P. Sappie, is the Raleigh Chapter President of the North Carolina Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NCSSAR), a historical, educational, and patriotic non-profit organization comprised of members who can prove descent from someone who aided in the Patriot cause.
Glenn (standing in front of the Capitol building) was participating at the July 4th events going on in the Capital District and kindly allowed a photo.
The event turnout was good and everyone seemed to be having fun as they wandered about looking at displays from various groups, or watched the entertainment being offered. I have to say, you could really feel the American pride, and it was great to see so much red, white, and blue. What a nice way to honor our country.
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
July 1, 2009 - Out and About in Kernersville
Okay, I'm spilling the beans, but if someone asks where you heard it first, don't tell 'em it was me. On second thought, I could use the publicity... Anyway, the "Strangest House in the World" is officially haunted!
Körner's Folly in Kernersville, NC recently had several ghost hunter-type teams come in to test the odd house for paranormal activity - and it passed with flying colors! Now, keep in mind that the paranormal experts go in there with the intent of logically explaining every strange occurrence, so when they say the place is haunted, they mean business.
The house, designed by Jule Körner to showcase his design talents, is a 22-room masterpiece of eccentricity with no rooms, halls, or doorways alike. At the top level is the nation's first private home theater, where performances are still given to this day. The house is loaded with antiques and interesting items that are beautiful but contribute to the heaviness one feels as they enter the place. The painting of the infant (above) gave me the creeps, yet I was compelled to take a photo of it. More on Körner's Folly in the NC Heartland section of this site (under Kernersville).
The (very nice) folks at Körner's Folly will be holding a press conference (to post on their site) on July 17 about the results of the paranormal testing. To read more about the house and the testing process, click here
photo of painting: Barbara Dolny-Bombar