White Sulphur Springs Blog

Goober Says “Hey”

Burke Robertson — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:23:42 +0000

George Lindsey as Mayberry's Goober

Actor George Lindsey’s costume drew overflow crowds Friday (8/27/2010) at the Andy Griffith Museum, the Charlotte Observer reported. It’s the anchor of a Mayberry renaissance helping to revive this small town.

Mount Airy’s downtown has become a Mayberry theme park based on the hamlet in “The Andy Griffith Show,” which topped the ratings on CBS from 1960 to 1968.

Lindsey, who is 75 and doesn’t travel much, didn’t appear Friday but sent Jim Clark to speak for him. “He told me to say Goober says, ‘Hey!’ Clark told museum visitors.

Mayberry Days

Burke Robertson — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:15:37 +0000

Just around the corner is Mount Airy’s 21st Annual Mayberry Days celebration.
September 23-26.

Tickets on sale now. Call 336-786-7998 or 800-286-6193.

Don't miss Mayberry Days, Sept. 23-26

Old-Time Dance

Burke Robertson — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:29:36 +0000

The first Saturday of the Month – except June.
Musical hosts the Slate Mountain Ramblers take the stage at the new Old-Time Music Heritage Hall for an evening of old-time dance favorites for all ages. Group tours are welcome.

Dance begins at 7:30pm.
Clogging Workshop 5:30 – 6:30pm. Free with paid admission.

$5 – under 6 years free.
Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, below the Andy Griffith Museum

For details visit SurryArts.org.

Voice of the Blue Ridge

Burke Robertson — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:27:59 +0000

Bluegrass and Old-Time Music take center stage at the Downtown Cinema Theatre on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Local and regional bands present our local music heritage. Group tours are welcome.

Downtown Cinema, 142 Main Street in Downtown Mount Airy, NC
$7 admission, under 6 years free.

For details visit SurryArts.org.

Coming to Blackmon Ampitheatre

Burke Robertson — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:26:34 +0000

Individual Tickets $10 – For details visit SurryArts.org.
Located across from the Andy Griffith Playhouse this amphitheatre has proven to have something for everyone during the summer months - Carolina beach music and lots of shagging and line dancing – great bluegrass, traditional and electrified music – dramatic and musical theatre – something for everyone!

THE HOLIDAY BAND – Friday, August 27, 7:30pm
PAULINA DELLENBACK & FOX RIVER - Saturday, August 28, 7:30pm

THE EMBERS - Thursday, September 2, 7:30pm
MIXED EMOTION – Friday, September 3, 7:30pm
RAINJACKET – Saturday, September 4, 7:30pm

THE FANTASTIC SHAKERS – Friday, September 10, 7:30pm

THE RAFE HOLLISTER BAND – Saturday, September 25, 7:30pm.

10th Anniversary of Shelton Vineyards

Burke Robertson — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:02:49 +0000

Thursday, August 26 – Sunday, August 29, 2010

Thursday – Saturday 10am to 10pm
Sunday 11am until 6pm

Dobson, NC – less than 30 minutes from Downtown Mt. Airy

Free Admission – Visit SheltonVineyards.com for details.

Snappy Lunch Makes Top 25

Burke Robertson — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:14:45 +0000

The Tar Heel 25
From the mountains to the sea, the tastes that define the state

By Kathleen Purvis and Andrea Weigl
kpurvis@charlotteobserver.com; andrea.weigl@newsobserver.com

Posted: Wednesday, Jun. 09, 2010 – Charlotte Observer

If you could boil the essence of North Carolina down to its essential flavors, what would you get? You’d have a salty hint of Wilmington and a cooling bite of Asheville, some small-town seasoning and a little big-city spice.

To put together the ultimate N.C. eater’s guide, we [The Charlotte Observer] combed through years of food trips, stories and memories to come up with 25 must-have eating experiences, from Carolina classics to chef creations.

Mount Airy’s own Snappy Lunch was ranked #7 in the state for their pork chop sandwich. A battered pork loin chop as big as a pie plate and fried until golden crispiness.

The Snappy Lunch was opened in 1923 by George Roberson and Deuce Hodge. In 1943, Charles Dowell began working at The Snappy Lunch doing odd jobs and learning the business. He was compensated the whopping sum of $10 per week. Eight years later, Charles negotiated to purchase a share of The Snappy Lunch and began his career as a local business owner.

During those days, The Snappy Lunch catered to local workers and students who enjoyed bologna sandwiches for a nickel and ten cent hot dogs items that remain on the menu today. Students, like now famous Andy Griffith who attended nearby schools, would frequently visit the Snappy Lunch for a quick lunch because the local schools had yet to add cafeterias.

In 1960, Charles Dowell completed his transition to sole owner of The Snappy Lunch and enjoyed more freedom to develop his own recipes and try different combinations of seasonings. It was during this time Charles Dowell began to perfect his unique creation, The World Famous Pork Chop Sandwich.

This wonderfully messy sandwich, served in so many variety of ways, has become the trademark meal of choice for locals and visitors alike. It is the only sandwich that may have you washing your hands AFTER you finish eating it.

WBTV visits Mount Airy, says, “Life is just a little sweeter when you whistle while you walk.”

Burke Robertson — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:33:02 +0000

In an article posted on WBTV’s web site, Reporter Liz Horton writes, “Antique stores, general stores, trading companies and souvenir shops line the friendly streets. They are supported by a beautiful mountain backdrop. Mt. Airy is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains, which are just a short drive away. Perhaps my favorite thing about this historic village is the happiness you feel when you hear the Andy Griffith theme song broadcast along the streets. Life is just a little sweeter when you whistle while you walk.”

White Sulphur Springs is just a few easy miles drive from the heart of wonderful Mount Airy. Proximity to the town is just one of the many reasons that life is simple, easy, and loaded with grace at White Sulphur Springs. Give us a call. Let us show you how you can create a carefree and simple lifestyle at White Sulphur Springs.

Budbreak Wine Festival comes to Mount Airy on May 1st !

Burke Robertson — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:45:01 +0000

A unique experience, with emphasis on wine education, including food and wine pairing, fine art exhibits, great music, and for those participating, a wine judging contest. The event is co-sponsored by the Mount Airy Rotary Club in cooperation with the Mount Airy Downtown Business Association, and The Mount Airy News.

Go to http://visitmayberry.com/mayberrydaysmtairync.aspx for more information.

Mount Airy becomes a Mecca for old-time music.

Burke Robertson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:09:06 +0000

White Sulphur Springs is an easy five miles from the center of Mount Airy, a delightful small southern town near the Virginia border. It’s in Surry County, becoming broadly known for it’s fine wine. blue-grass music and general all-around pleasant way of life. The following article was recently published in The Mount Airy News. Enjoy.

OLD TIME MUSIC FANS FLOCK TO MOUNT AIRY

By Tom Joyce

Mount Airy became a “Mecca” this weekend, not for pilgrims making a religious journey but people drawn by the old-time music for which Surry County has become widely known.

“I think without exception, everybody I’ve talked to has been from out of town,” said Executive Director Tanya Jones of the Surry Arts Council, which sponsored the ninth-annual Tommy Jarrell Festival Thursday through Saturday.

Danny Shepherd of West Jefferson was one such individual attending the event that provided fans a little bit of everything in the way of old-time music.

“This is the first year I’ve ever been,” Shepherd said Saturday afternoon after flatfooting to a tune performed by a trio including fiddler Kirk Sutphin and associates Kevin Fore and Chester McMillian.

Shepherd said he also enjoys bluegrass, but has developed a preference for old-time music due to “just the good rhythm and being easy to dance to.”

While the two styles are similar, bluegrass emphasizes the melody through close harmonies and solos by the mandolin, fiddle, banjo or guitar. Old-time musicians play in a style that many would call “jamming,” which stresses rhythm — with no instrument gaining a particular dominance over the others.

“That beat’s infectious, I guess,” Shepherd said as Sutphin and company cranked out an instrumental version of “Cindy,” an old-time favorite.

All this was taking place at the recently constructed Old-Time Music Heritage Hall beside the Andy Griffith Playhouse — one of several venues hosting activities honoring Jarrell, who died in the 1980s. A legendary fiddler, Jarrell has been described as influencing old-time music the way Frank Sinatra influenced pop music.

And whereas fans of that genre once made pilgrimages to Jarrell’s home on Franklin Road to learn from the old master, they now come to Mount Airy each February to help perpetuate his legacy.

The weekend included jam sessions, a film presentation, an old-time fiddle demonstration, a dance in Jarrell’s honor, a youth old-time competition and the Tommy Jarrell Birthday Concert Saturday night at the playhouse which climaxed the festival. Jarrell was born on March 1, 1901 in the Round Peak area of Surry County, which has long been considered a hotbed of old-time music.

In addition to the heritage hall and playhouse, events were held at the Downtown Cinema Theatre as well as WPAQ radio, an old-time music broadcaster that offered festival visitors tours of the station Saturday afternoon.

Jones said the recent opening of the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall greatly enhanced this year’s offerings compared to previous festivals. “It’s broadened our scope of activities,” she said.

In addition to the music and dancing opportunities there Saturday, artwork and photographs of old-time musicians, including Jarrell, was available and local luthiers had instruments on display.

The heritage hall also is equipped with “audio guides” that allow visitors to hear biographies of various old-time artists whose pictures dominate the walls, in addition to examples of their music.

“They have all kinds of different opportunities to appreciate it,” Jones said of the old-time music highlighted by the festival.

“Folks come for an experience, and they’re getting an experience,” added the Arts Council official. “They don’t just come and look at something and walk away.”

Organizers were pleased with the weekend’s turnout.

“We’ve had good traffic all day long,” Jones said Saturday afternoon.

“Last night, the dance floor was overflowing,” she said of the Tommy Jarrell Festival Dance at the heritage center, which Jarrell’s son Wayne was assigned to call.

“And the room was packed — there was literally standing room only.”

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.