July/August 2010
If ants are such hard workers, how come they find time to go to all the picnics? —Marie Dressler
You don’t need a calendar saying July is National Picnic Month to know it’s picnic time. As I’m planning our picnic, I wonder if my family will be able to picnic without I-pods, Berries or Kindles! Packing, I think back to childhood picnic memories—imagine, if you can, no cell phones, not even battery operated radios but lots of cousins for my only child self to play with and some of my dad’s best hot dogs ever cooked—he used an old Coleman gas grill. All my aunts and two career chef uncles competed with salads and desserts. Kool-aid was the drink of choice, maybe lemonade, too, for the kids and thermoses of coffee, yep, even over the sultry summer months that happen in New York too, went for the grown-ups.
Marilyn is doing much better since her recent surgery. We look forward to seeing her back in Yadkin Valley Living pages for the fall issue. In this issue, John and I will be sharing our picnic menu in foodsandflavors with you. There are kids’ picnic memories in Nana’s kitchen, a chili From the Hearth, a tropical cheesecake from dessert tray and a potato salad from the Yadkin Valley Cook Series. The Dining Divas feasted on Thai and Caroline has a brunch menu to please from her latest cookbook find!
Dr. Brock’s pet column has a truly surprising story to tell. As a pet owner, you will want to know all about it.
In Yadkin Valley Living’s Keepsake Heritage section, Betty’s Aunt Sally has left an admirable legacy to follow, guest writer Rebecca Cranfill tells us about Windsors’ Crossroads Grange; old friend and Winston-Salem author, Jennifer Bean Bower shares a handed-down family story; there’s one more “new” cabin at Whippoorwill Academy; tag along with ghost trails at the Wilkes Heritage Museum; Stokes County has a new museum to tour; and follow a Barn Quilt trail of over 78 patterns. Now that should keep you busy for awhile!
Here’s hoping you fly your American flag all through the year...any size, any location—considering flag respect, of course, decorating plants, hanging from your porch, on your ancestors’ graves, tied to your lawn chair. Granted, all is not perfect in our world, but during your lifetime, you have learned life never is as perfect or fair as we would like it to be but that is exactly what makes us stronger and wiser. Let’s be grateful for who and what we are. Stay on the steadfast trail of being good people, good friends, good family, good neighbors and always, always do that good stuff with a smile!
Until September/October with all the upcoming festivals and cooler breezes, keep reading Yadkin Valley Living and be sure to keep a copy close by when you want something to do in the Yadkin Valley.
Barbara
barbara@yadkinvalleyliving.com
On the cover:
A summer picnic, a glass of ice cold tea and mountain bars for dessert!
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