Day out with Granny and an Heiress. Pt. 1

Well in an opposite turn of events from my Raleigh trip, the weatherman called for cool and rainy. It turned out to be warm and dry and here I had all in indoor plans.

Built in 1917, the glorious Reynolda House and Museum of Art is a treat for admirers of historic homes and incredible art. The home was built for tobacco magnate Richard Reynolds and his wife Katherine. The home was even featured on one of my favorite shows America’s Castles.

This particular visit turned out to be a two for one special. Not only did I get to tour this magnificent bungalow style mansion, but I was able to enjoy viewing the incredible art tour of Grandma Moses: Grandmother to the Nation. This display of Moses work not only included almost 50 of her works but included personal items from this talented woman.

Actually I guess I should say this was a 4 for 1 deal since your ticket to the Reynolda House also included the brilliant and lovely Reynolda Gardens. Enjoy the perfectly manicured lawns filled with fountains and places to sit and enjoy this lovely place and make sure to check out the greenhouse which offers plants that you can purchase and bring home for our own garden.

When you finish up here then step on over to the Reynolda Village . This Village was set up by Mrs. Reynolds to serve as a community for local artists where they could work and display their projects. Today you will still find artists on the premises as well as clothing stores, gift shops, jewelry stores, and other unique and one of a kid stores.

Winston-Salem is also home of the well known Old Salem . This old Moravian village has been restored and the buildings date from 1766 to 1850. I do have several journals on my trip there, so be sure to check them out. They have several terrific book stores and the Old Salem Tavern which has magnificent food. They are open to the public and do not require a ticket to get into.

I took time out to have lunch at the Pig N Out restaurant and dinner at the Celtic Café. I also was in scrapbook heaven at Scrapbook Traditions.

Quick Tips:

My first suggestion is always the same. Start by going to www.visitwinstonsalem.com and get a visitors guide or check out the website and see all the wonderful things that city offers.

If you would like to see both the Reynolda House and Old Salem you will need to give your self at least a weekend here. You need at least a day in each place.

Another great weekend trip? You are near our spectacular Yadkin Valley Wine Country . You can tour the vino fields by car, bike, and several other ways. For more information go to www.yadkinvalleywineries.com.

Winston-Salem is home to the prestigious Wake-Forest University where you will find the Museum of Anthropology. Winston Salem State is home to Diggs Gallery. Both should be on the itinerary of arts lovers. But if you are coming over a holiday weekend, call and make sure they are open. According to their website they should have been open Memorial Day weekend, but they weren’t.

Take the time to enjoy the downtown and modern side of this great town. You will find lots of shopping and plenty of fine restaurants. It was deserted on this holiday weekend but still come walk around and enjoy the beautiful places.

Winston-Salem is home of master glass maker Jon Kuhn . His studio is supposed to be located downtown but I couldn’t find it. This is also home of the original Krispy Kream doughnuts. While here make sure to taste one where they got their start.

Wake Forest and other colleges are generally open to the public for events and their outstanding museums. You generally have to check in at a front gate and park in special parking. So be careful parking on campus if you are not a student.

Love the arts? Winston-Salem is well known as an arts town. There is always something going on and plenty of art galleries to make even though the most sophisticated art patron happy. In the spring you will find the River Run Film Festival. This premier independent film festival was started by Law & Order CI star Vincent D’Onofrio .

In December you can enjoy the Reynolda Road Holiday tour. In additional to the Reynolda House, visitors can visit the spectacular Greylyn and SECCA.

Best Way To Get Around:

The closest airport is Piedmont Triad International (GSO) in Greensboro, about 30 minutes away. GSO offers dozens of flights daily including low-cost carrier Alligiant Airlines. Their website is www.flyfrompti.com. Of the three closest airports, GSO often is the cheapest. Winston-Salem sits about halfway between Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) www.rdu.com and Charlotte Douglas (CLT) www.charlotteairport.com. Both are about 2 hours away.

You really need a car if you are coming into Winston-Salem. You can pick up a rental car from any of the airports.

The Winston-Salem Transit Authority does offer continuous bus service throughout the city. There website is www.cityofws.org.

Like most other big cities, traffic is a nightmare during the early morning business hours and late night ride home. Traffic can also be a pain during major arts events. Winston-Salem is also home to the renowned Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State, and several other colleges. Events such as orientation week, homecoming, sporting events, parent’s weekends, and graduation draw huge crowds and cause traffic headaches. Plan accordingly if you’re in town during that time.

Also like most other cities, parking in the downtown area can be a pain. Most parking lots are paid lots. Read before you park and keep your eye on the time if you are parking at one of the meters. Parking in town is enforced. Most attractions such as Old Salem and Reynolda House have their own parking and it is free.

Driving here is a breeze. Winston-Salem is accessible from Highway 85. There are major signs on the highway directing to you to major attractions.

Two things to know about driving in NC. 1. Keep an eye on speed, but go with the flow of traffic. All I am saying on that subject! 2. Our DUI laws are tough and so they should be. If you are drinking stay off our roads and have a designated driver or call a cab.

In that vain cabs are readily available in the city and most will take you to and from the airport. Check with your hotel to see if they offer a free shuttle to GSO airport as many do. In the case of staying within the downtown area and having hotel shuttle, you will be fine without a car.

After touring the Reynolda House, I was starting to get hungry. I had originally planned on going to another restaurant, but couldn’t find it. I was absolutely starving and didn’t feel like looking anymore and decided I would pull into the next restaurant I saw. That is when I smelled the heavenly smells of BBQ coming from the Pig N Out. I parked my car and followed my nose.

The restaurant is located in the front of a strip mall. You walk up to the counter and they have a board laid out for you with the menu. Since this is a BBQ place that makes up the majority of the menu. Here you will find sandwiches, plates, and combos. In addition to BBQ you will find burgers, hotdogs, fried chicken, salads, and flounder. Those watching their figure or non-meat eaters won’t find much here. Of course I am guessing if you are in that category you’re not going to frequent BBQ places anyway.

I placed my order then waited a few minutes for my meal. The décor here is nothing fancy and nondescript. But BBQ fans aren’t coming here for the décor anyway. I ordered a BBQ sandwich, onion rings, and my Sundrop (a local soda). Just in case you have missed my previous BBQ dissertation, here it goes again. North Carolina BBQ has two different styles. In the western part of the state people like a tomato/sweet based sauce. The eastern part of the state has a vinegar based sauce (also known as Lexington style). So the BBQ here is Eastern style, pulled pork, and comes with BBQ or red slaw. BBQ slaw uses BBQ vinegar instead of mayo. And pork rules in the Carolinas baby!

After getting my order I sit down ready for my ‘Q. And boy oh boy is this stuff good. You get a huge pile of onion rings and they are amazing. Light and not the least bit greasy. My taste buds are happy. I am here about 2 and there is a pretty good crowd. While eating the owner comes you and talks to each customer asking if everything is OK. I tell him it was wonderful and I was glad I didn’t find the restaurant I originally was seeking.

Make sure you come here for some of the best BBQ around. You won’t be sorry.

I just wasn’t having much luck with my first choice for dining. I had planned on going to a tapas bar in downtown Winston-Salem. Much to my dismay when I arrived in the downtown area I found it deserted on this holiday weekend. That included the tapas bar I wanted to give a try.

I went on to another area of this town where I knew there was a wealth of dining opportunities. After hitting the magazine rack at Borders and paying for my purchases I asked my cashier for a recommendation that wasn’t part of a chain. She suggested the Celtic Café right across the road. She said the food was great and lots of employees went there. Since it was close by and my heritage is part Irish, so I figured why not.

I pulled into the parking lot and went on inside. At this point it was still early during the day and there were only a few other patrons in the building. The gentleman at the bar tells me to sit anywhere so I pick a booth near the bar. The bartender/waiter asks me what I would like to drink as I sit down and I order my usual tea. He comes over and with a tea in one hand and menu in the other. He gives me a few minutes to browse.

Since this is an Irish restaurant the menu is inspired the country of my ancestors. Their specialties are Shepard’s Pie, Bangers & Mash, and Corn Beef Cabbage. Appetizers include crab dip, Welsh rarebit, and shrimp cocktail. The rest of the menu offers dinner’s soup, salad, fish, chicken, lamb, beef, burgers, and wraps. I go with a chicken ceaser on a spinach wrap with fruit salad. Their desserts include cheesecake, rhubarb pie, crème caramel, and changing pies. I take a piece of cheesecake home with me for John and I to split after he ate his wrap I took home to him.

There is a full service bar here with plenty of Irish brews and wine from local wineries. Since this is an Irish bar there are green table clothes on the table and Irish music playing. There is a beautiful mural at one of the back walls. The restaurant is clean and the staff friendly. The food came out fast and my waiter kept my tea glass full and had perfect timing on my to go order.

Hours:

Monday -Thursday 11am to 9pm
Friday 11am – 10pm
Saturday 4pm-10pm

They also often have live music. So go to www.thecelticcafé.com for more information.

The restaurant is located in the Towers Mall. It is located in a section of Winston-Salem that offers plenty of shopping including the huge Haynes Mall. So make sure to stop by for a taste of Ireland while you’re in town.

When I am traveling, especially without John, I love to go in local scrapbook stores and see what goodies I can find. I always check the back of my Creating Keepsakes Magazine which gives you a list of scrapbooking stores all over the country. This is where I discovered Scrapbook Traditions.

I pulled into the parking lot and walked in. As soon as I walked in one very nice employee came over to greet me and ask if there was anything special I was looking for. I explained I was from out of town and just came to see what they had. She walked me over to a section that had products featuring location attractions including paper with Old Salem on it. Then she told me to wander around all I wanted and to let her know if I needed help.

They have the largest inventory in the Carolinas and have an impressive 4000 square foot showroom. Scrappers will be in heaven. I was like a little kid in a candy store with my eyes popping out of my head and not knowing which way to go first. I thought the most logical thing would be to just walk though taking my time to see what all was available and to get a lay of the land, so to speak.

What I love the best about this store is the way everything is laid out. Most other scrapbook stores have maybe one room of paper and then all the die cuts in one place, all the stickers, and so forth. Here things like adhesives and scissors are all together, but then all your goodies are arranged by theme. Looking to grab your supplies for that upcoming huge Halloween party before the party? Then all you have to do is go to the holiday section and all the Halloween stuff is together. Paper, die cuts, brads, ribbon, stickers, and more. You will find holidays, travel, school, wedding, babies, etc. all in one place rather than running to the paper section first, then the stickers, then the tags, and...well you get the idea. And as I said earlier they have a selection of local products. They also have a great sale area.

Features offered to the public include a child’s club and play area in case you are bringing your wee ones with you. They also offer SDU and you classes. They do have a number of crops coming up including one to raise money for the Susan G. Koman Foundation. Another thing I like is they offer one on one instruction for the beginner. Scrappers know how overwhelming it can be with so many products to choose from. It is crazy sometimes for even those of us who have been doing it a while, much less a newbie. The also have a singles center which allows you to just pick up a few brads, letters, charms, etc instead of buying a whole pack. What a great idea! They also have a die cut center. Just one look at the services offered on their website shows just how much attention to detail these great ladies offer.

Hours
Monday - Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 1pm-5pm
On crop nights they are open until 10pm and shoppers are welcome.

Website: www.scrapbooktraditions.com

This place is one of the best scrapbooking shops I have found in a long time. The staff is super friendly without being overbearing. The store is clean and well organized. If you are a scrapbooker coming here, then you have to stop in this delightful shop. In fact this place is worth the drive even if you have nothing else do in Winston-Salem.

Scrapbooking Traditions
690 Jonestown Rd. Suite 900
(336) 774-1880

Very Highly Recommended

Winston-Salem is the 4th largest city in the state with a population of about a quarter of a million people within the city limits. Winston-Salem itself has only been around since 1913 when the cities of Salem and Winston were combined. Salem was established as a Moravian Village in 1753. The city of Winston was established in 1849 in large part from part of land deeded from Salem and the Reynolds family and their JR Reynolds Tobacco empire helped establish the city. Today this city artfully combines high tech with the history that made this town what it is. It has been named one of the top 10 places to retire and is considered one of the top arts communities in the country.

Today the city of Old Salem where the city first began to form can still be seen. They have an impressive collection of houses and business that date from 1766 to 1850. Visitors can step inside these rustic yet beautiful buildings to find out how the Moravians who first settle here lived. The village is also home of MESDA (Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts) as well as the Old Toy Museum. There is admission to gain entrance to the buildings. But you can simply stroll the historic streets at your leisure. Visitors can dine at the Old Salem Tavern and visit several stores without an admission fee. You need to plan a whole day here. Their web site is www.oldsalem.org

Historic Bethabara Park offers visitors over 250 years of history. It includes the 1788 Moravian Gemeinhaus, a 175 acre wilderness reserve, a 1754 village and fort, and 18th century gardens. Their website is www.bethabarapark.org.

The Reynolda House offers some of the best examples of American Art as well as offers the visitor a glimpse of the life of the wealthy at the turn of the 20th century. The 1917 bungalow mansion was the home of tobacco magnet Richard Reynolds and his wife Katherine. The home was featured on Americans Castles. The home and art museum can be toured for a fee. The grounds of this stunning mansion, its gardens, and the village Katherine established, Reynolda Village, can be enjoyed for free. Their website is www.reynoldahouse.org.

Downtown Winston-Salem you will find the famed Avenue of the Arts highlighting dozens of galleries and studios of local artists. Here you will the Piedmont Craftsmen (www.piedmontcraftsmen.org) who show cases over 350 of the top Southeastern craftspeople. They feature a different artist every month to highlight. The Downtown Arts District Association (www.dadaws.org) features gallery crawls, classes, and entertainment for the downtown arts community. Glass master, Jon Kuhn, maintains his studio downtown on Liberty St. (www.kuhnstudio.com). His works are displayed as part of the White House collection, the National Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum, and MOMA. Using a different medium from my other favorite master glass artist, Dale Chihuly, Jon uses cold glass to bring life to his works of art. Surrounding the downtown arts community you will find wine bars, coffee shops, and chic and trendy restaurants.

SECCA (Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts) www.secca.org celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006 as one of the premier collections of regional and national contemporary artist.

Winston-Salem is home to some of the best colleges in the states. Among those is the prestigious, Wake Forest University which is home to MOA (Museum of Anthropology) www.wfu.edu/moa. Winston-Salem State University proudly hosts the largest display of African Arts in the state at the Diggs Gallery. www.wssu.edu. Both galleries are open to the public. There is also the NC School of the Arts where some of the best future artists are studying even as we speak. They hold public tours of the campus and performances for the public. Their website is www.ncarts.edu.

The Delta Fine Arts showcases art by nationally recognized NC native African-American women. Included in their collection are two major murals, Origins and Ascensions by John and James Biggers. These can be seen at the O’Kelley Library housed on the Winston-Salem State campus. www.deltafinearts.org. For the wee ones in your group there is SciWorks which is a hand on science museum for children of all ages (yes big ones too). Their website is www.sciworks.com.

For almost 30 years now the Piedmont Opera Theater has been delighting opera fans in the region. Winston-Salem is also home of the Winston-Salem Symphony . You can visit them on the web at www.piedmontopera.org and www.wssymphony.org.

Winston-Salem celebrates the arts year round with celebrations of music and art. From May to September music finds its way through out the downtown area in a series of outdoor concerts. Alive After Five is found every Thursday evening. Every Friday celebrate Jazz and Blues at Fourth St. Jazz & Blues. And every Saturday celebrate live music on Trade St.

There is plenty of celebration of culture on the calendar. It kicks off in January with the Chinese Festival at Wake Forest. Naturally the Irish Festival, also at Wake Forest, celebrates the month of green and St. Patty. May brings Celtic Music and the Greek Festival and in September try the Fiesta! Hispanic Festival. Go to www.winstonsalemevents.org.

Two of the premier arts festivals in the country can be found in Winston-Salem. In March movie fans from all over come to the RiverRun International Film Festival which is a celebration of independent and student films. It was started by actor Vincent D’ Onofrio of Law & Order CI fame. The National Black Theater Festival celebrates many art forms and is one of the top events celebrating black cultural and even hosts well known celebrities such as Dr. Maya Angelou. Oprah, Louis Gossett. Jr. and the late Ossie Davis and his wife Ruby Dee . The event is held biannually on odd numbered years (next one is 2009). You can get an early start by going to www.nbtf.org.

Wine and the arts can often be found together. Nearby is the famed Yadkin Valley wine country. You can tour these lush fields just like in the other wine country of CA. They offer wine tasting and tours and some offer meals. You can stay at quaint B&B in the heart of it all. There are several celebrations throughout the year that marry both the arts and the fruits of the fields. You can go to www.yadkinvalleywineries.com for more information.

So whew..there you go as I have only begun to starch the surface of this most artful of towns. To find out all about the arts in Winston-Salem simply click onto www.visitwinstonsalem.com and check out everything this fine city has to offer.