Southern Documentary Journal

A blog by Houck Medford
Journal

Pathway to pain … the North Carolina cyclo-cross racing series

[portfolio_slideshow] Cyclo-cross has become very popular in North Carolina as the fall and winter competitive cycling activity.  Winston-Salem has become a leading city for promotion with a competitive series with many events -  until recently, every Tuesday night at the Dixie Classic Fairground in Winston-Salem, and culminating with the state championships and three January, 2012 races.  Points are cumulative for the season.  The state championships were  December 17 at Washington Park in Winston-Salem. The courses  feature…

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December 21, 2011
Journal

High priced chicken …

Darlene Hobbs, of Lancaster, SC, polishes the beak of her Brahma chicken, not her Brahma bull.  She reports that she spends hours getting her fowl ready for show which includes polishing their beaks, legs, and feathers.  Darlene travels to over a dozen shows a year, "because I just love it." Fowl fanciers flocked to Forsyth County, NC this past weekend for one of several national fowl shows.  The local organization, the Forsyth Fowl Fanciers sponsors…

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November 30, 2011
Journal

Got them collard greens …

"Headed Home" It is the day before Thanksgiving, and if you are buying your collard greens today, you are a last-minute shopper. Aficionados of this fine early winter vegetable prefer they slow cook with a fist-sized piece of ham hock, producing tender greens plus the bonus of the pot likker -- the broth left in the pot after the collards are served up. Can you pass the cornbread? Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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November 23, 2011
Journal

Date night in Asheville …

Location: Swannanoa Citco ....Time: 10:30 p.m. ....Temperature: 51 degrees .... Humidity: Raining .... Transportation: Moped .... Driver: Presumed boyfriend .... Intended purchase: Unknown

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November 22, 2011
Journal

For window washers scared of heights ….

I would have never guessed that window washing 4 stories up was possible from the ground ... but  it is.  This building, designed by architect J.C. Woodall, is at the corner of 1st and Cherry Street in Winston-Salem, NC.

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November 11, 2011
Journal

A signature weekend trip to the coast of North Carolina ….

[slideshow]For a mountain man, a trip to the coast of North Carolina in November is like going to Baskin Robbins.  I don't go to either that often, but there is always the memory of what the last trip was like. On this recent trip to Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Harkers Island, there was a walk on the beach (no surprise), and a notable (surprise) invitation to the by invitation only True Secret Order of the False…

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November 10, 2011
Journal

“Choose and cut” becomes “choose and slaughter …”

Agriculture tourism has taken a new turn at the holiday season when the traditional expedition to the mountains has been to choose and cut your own Christmas tree.  Enterprising turkey farmers in North Carolina are now promoting the opportunity at Thanksgiving time where one chooses and slaughters their own turkey. I wonder what will be the response of the other 2,643 turkeys when the first one is beheaded?

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November 8, 2011
Doc Watson last appearance / Photo Essays

Doc Watson makes one of his last life-time appearances ….

At the age off 88, legendary North Carolinian and seven-time Grammy Award winning guitarist, songwriter, and singer Doc Watson performed at the Aycock Auditorium at the University of North Carolina (Greensboro)  on September 17, 2011.  Joined on stage by his long-time accompanists David Holt and T. Michael Coleman, Doc and his friends played to a nearly full house. Doc Watson is  finishing nearly eight decades of a full and rich life.   His performance schedule is becoming more uncertain and…

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October 29, 2011
Journal

Only three more weeks left for helping to save the good stuff, with an appeal to all the five senses ……

[portfolio_slideshow] Balanced comfortably on the Eastern Continental Divide  between Blowing Rock, NC and Mt. Mitchell is a 100+ year-old vintage apple orchard which has become a  destination for thousands of visitors and also a cultural icon for the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The Orchard at Altapass has its apple flavor but the magic of this mountain surprise is the experience that immerses one in real-time mountain traditions.  There is a menu here to satisfy all the human senses whether it…

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October 9, 2011