Along the unspoiled “Forgotten Coast” of Florida’s Panhandle, Apalachicola, as part of Franklin County, sits atop Apalachicola Bay and at the mouth of the Apalachicola River. This rustic seaside fishing village has retained its maritime heritage. In the 19thcentury, it flourished because of the South’s cotton that was shipped from its port, the third largest […]

It’s common knowledge by now that the Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular, and Roanoke is its star. Known as the “Star City of the South,” Roanoke struts its stuff with plenty to see and do. To legitimize that claim, a giant (88½-foot tall) light star shines over the city from Mill Mountain. Railroading for kids […]

An hour’s train ride from Brussels transports you back to the Middle Ages. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bruges (it rhymes with “rouge”) must maintain its historic architecture in the Old Town with no modern changes. It’s known as the “Venice of the North,” with an abundance of canals that flow slowly through the […]

Is there anyone in the civilized world who is not familiar with Walmart? I, like many others, was curious to find out how the company got its start. In 1950, Sam Walton opened a 5&10 Store (a.k.a. Five and Dime) in the small Arkansas town of Bentonville. It wasn’t long before he expanded the business […]

It’s not often that I can create a new artistic piece without making plans, buying supplies and/or taking lessons. So I walked off the street into The Fire on the spur-of-the-moment for fun and pleasure completely carefree. Fire Studio in Appleton, Wisconsin is a storefront studio that features glass fusing, pottery painting and mosaics, and is open to […]

Mention Louisville, and the Kentucky Derby comes to mind for most people. And why not? This first leg of the Triple Crown seems to conjure up more imagination and excitement than the other two races combined. When organized horse racing began in antebellum Lexington, black slaves served as trainers and jockeys. A museum located inside […]

We’re at the eve of Black History Month, and many people are looking for informative, interesting and fun getaways. I knew that Richmond, Virginia had been the capital of the Confederacy, but I was surprised and impressed by the scope of its rich African American heritage. First of all, I was taken aback to hear […]