Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA
A beautiful exhibit of Nativity Scenes is on display through the holidays at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort. The creche have been collected from around the world and represent both a heartwarming, and light hearted in a few examples, international devotion to the Christian aspect of the season. The designs are eclectic and include materials as diverse as carved mother-of-pearl, paper and chocolate/marshmallow s’mores. (Please click the link below for a sound slideshow of the creche.)
Visitors may leave a donation for All Hands Volunteers, a non profit organization that provides funding for rebuilding after natural disasters. Peter Kirkwood, nephew of the collector and son of Shawnee’s owners Charles and Virginia Kirkwood, co-founded All Hands Volunteers in 2005 after the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of December 2004 that devastated large parts of Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations. Living in Thailand at the time, Peter was an eye witness to the disaster. All Hands Volunteers provides both material and volunteer labor. It’s fitting at this time of year that a collection box be a part of an exhibit celebrating an event that knows no borders.
Eating wild Georgia White Shrimp within minutes of being caught, while on the Lady Jane off St. Simons Island, is a culinary experience not to be missed.
The Lady Jane
It’s a brilliant sunny day off the southern Georgia coast as the Lady Jane moves slowly through the channel. The islands of St. Simons and Jekyll rise above a sea of salt grass. Laughing seagulls – their actual name – swoop through the air behind the ship. “That’s a good sign,” comments Cliff Credle, “They know where the food is.”
The shallow waters of the Atlantic around southern Georgia’s islands exclude any possible invasion of the shrimp beds by large factory ships. Shrimping remains a bastion of small boat fishing operated by individual entrepreneurs.
Crew of the Lady Jane: (clockwise) Capt. Larry Credle, mate Cliff Credle, First Mate John Tyre
These waters are home to the endangered Green Sea Turtle.
When you eat plump wild shrimp you’ll smell and taste the briny difference the moment you peel the shell off a freshly steamed or grilled wild Georgia, preferably, White or Red crustacean.
At Antelope Park, Gweru, Zimbabwe, a dozen journalists take two cats for a walk, actually two lions. Laili and Lewa, barely one year old cubs but already weighing nearly 200 pounds each, play like kittens as they roll around on the ground, licking and nipping each other.
The African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT), a non-profit founded at Antelope Park, actively pursues a four-stage method to stem the rapid decline of these roaming majestic cats. In less than 30 years, the population of wild African lions has decreased an estimated 85% from 200,000 to 30,000.
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The mission incurs tremendous costs and funding is dependent on donations, volunteers and the income generated by guests at Antelope Park Lodge.
At daybreak, floating over the Sonoran Desert at 6,000 feet in a basket is an awesome way to start the day.
Contrasted against the outline of cactus and brown desert are over a dozen giant multicolored balloons being inflated. They slowly rise like other worldly mushrooms whose spoors invaded the planet.
Liftoff is, well, like floating in air. Except for the occasional blast from the propane jet and sounds of primal glee from adults one would think have experienced it all, the world silently drifts away.
The Sonoran Desert is lush despite receiving an average annual rainfall of 10 inches. In the distance is shockingly blue Lake Pleasant formed in the 1920s by damming the Aqua Fria River.
The Philadelphia Restaurant Revolution started in the mid-1970’s with Chef Georges Perrier’s Le Bec Fin and the opening of the Restaurant School. The city’s culinary wasteland suddenly bloomed with some of America’s most innovative cuisine. Now, finally, the Revolution has broken through to the suburbs. Click the links to read my reviews as Philadelphia Fine Dining Examiner on Examiner.com
Bacalhau á Lagareiro at Massa Pizza & Grill, Ambler, PA
Why would a fine dining Portuguese restaurant want to call itself a pizza parlor? Situated diagonally across from the Ambler Theater, Massa Pizza and Grill is an excellent addition to Ambler’s growing reputation as a foodie destination.
Leila's Bistro, Jenkintown, PA
Leila’s Bistro is where Edith Piaf would dine if she found herself in Philadelphia’s suburbs.
Valley Green Inn, Chestnut Hill, PA
The 160 year old Valley Green Inn could not be more romantic and will make you comfortable with its decor and fare.
clockwise: Duck Quesadillas, Pecan pie w/ice cream, Cedar Hollow Restaurant, Malvern, PA, Crab Cake
Within the past couple years the interior of Cedar Hollow Inn has been nicely remodeled with the main dining room benefiting from a southwest theme. Cobalt blue glasses contrast with the tan/reddish orange wall colors, crisp white table cloths and artistic prints depicting southwestern themes complement the space. Chef Stephen Guiseppe has added good southwestern inspired dishes.
Naturally, center city Philadelphia still shines as a culinary Mecca. Keeping up with Stephen Staar’s numerous and successful concepts is as difficult as keeping up with the Kardashians. Yet the Continental Diner stands out as a hands down favorite for Philadelphia natives.
Seared Skate w/ Fregola Sarda & lump crabmeat, Tripe w/ Fresh Tomato and Parmigiano Reggiano, Paradiso, Philadelphia, PA
Paradiso Restaurant & Wine Bar at 1627 East Passyunk Avenue, near Tasker Street, is in the heart of South Philly. Yet being at the center of Philadelphia’s Little Italy, home to cheese steaks, pizza and veal parmesan with canned sauce, Paradiso is a haven from the typical Italian-American fare of too many area restaurants.
Check Examiner.com often for my restaurant reviews. You can subscribe either to this blog site or by clicking the link next to my name on one of my reviews.
Upon entering the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in swank Scottsdale, AZ, you may be greeted by a pirate.
Michael McClanathan
Depending on the time of day you might hear live music being played at the edge of the golf course on bagpipes by a gentleman with long blond hair in a kilt.
Nelson Garcia-Miranda
Before entering Deseo restaurant you will experience the Kierland’s Artist-in-Residence intently painting.
Scotty
In the lobby of the hotel, you may run into Scotty, the Kierland’s top Dog-in-Residence.
Welcome to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, “an uncommon experience.”
Whizzing by on the bus in the dusty southern rural countryside a women flashes a big smile as I snap a picture through the windshield.
5th grade girles at the Hartzell School
If the future of a nation is in its youth, a visit to two rural schools confirms for me the resourceful exuberance of Zimbabwe’s young generation.
A young student at the Hartzell School in Mutare takes a break from his chore hoeing kale at the school’s vegetable plot to give me a wave.
The tables are turned as a student with a smartphone photographs the travel journalist while I snap away.
These were the facial expressions I encountered as I toured this beautiful land for two weeks in October, not the quizzical expressions of mild shock when I informed American acquaintances of my travel plans.
Spread out over the heart of downtown Columbia yet anchored at the University of Missouri’s Peace Park, the Roots, Blues and BBQ Festival offers both music and food enthusiasts something to crow about.
Ernie asked Chester Gould if he’d autograph his wall and the result was the original poster sized sketch of the iconic 1930s sleuth that graces the entrance to Ernie’s Cafe and Steakhouse.
beer flights at Flat Branch Pub & Brewing
The names of 38 beers are printed around the border of Flat Branch Pub and Brewing but their beer menu lists over 100.
Firelight Pizza Company
When was the last time you came across a portable wood fired brick oven on a city street?
Sparky's Ice Cream
Unfortunately Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream, 21 S. Ninth Street, known for their very small batch exotic flavored creations, sold out of their Brown Sugar Chocolate Cicada Ice Cream.
Peanut Butter & Bacon Mashed Potatoes at Bleu
Peanut Butter & Bacon Mashed Potatoes was inspired – three simple ingredients taken to new and delicious heights for the simple reason “why not.”
Columbia and AgriMissouri is putting money where its mouth is supporting farmers markets and sustainable agriculture.
Carolyn Todd, Market Director, “Local is not 1,500 miles away,” as she informs me that membership is open to producers living within a 55 mile radius of Columbia.
Walk About Farm's honey
5,000 Columbians a day patronize the market.
Eric and Chert Hollow Farm garlic & herbs
Despite my love of garlic, and being a chef, I was unaware that garlic originated in ancient Persia.
Travel with Pen and Palate 
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