Local arts fundraiser offers sneak peek at Hotel Domestique renovations

I am on the board of the Artists Alliance and here is the press release on a fantastic event we will be having next month.   I’m really excited.   The place is gorgeous.   Tickets are only $35 for an individual and $60 for a couple.   It will be well worth it.  Hope to see some of you there.

TRAVELERS REST, SC – Arts Alive, a fundraiser for the Travelers Rest Artists Alliance, will be held at Hotel Domestique on Saturday, July 20. The public is invited to support the local arts community while getting a first glimpse of the newly and extensively renovated boutique hotel.

The evening event will celebrate the artists, makers and performers who represent the cultural fiber of Travelers Rest and the surrounding area. According to organizers, live visual and performing arts demonstrations, local musicians and cuisine provided by nearby food artisans and restaurants will offer attendees an enjoyable and lively arts experience.

“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to honor our local arts culture.” said Debbie Wilson, founding board member of TRAA. “We can’t think of a better way to introduce Upstate residents to our organization then to bring them face to face with the wonderful arts community that they will be supporting.”

The venue for the Arts Alive event, Hotel Domestique, is owned by Rich Hincapie and his brother George, a 17-time rider of the Tour de France and retired professional cyclist. The 13-room property, the former La Bastide, is surrounded by 29 acres of gardens, courtyards and vineyards and has scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The hotel is scheduled to officially open in August.

“It’s my pleasure to support the Travelers Rest Artists Alliance,” said Rich Hincapie. “I believe in supporting the arts, and with the recent renovation of Hotel Domestique and our focus on the Travelers Rest community, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to show our support.”

In addition to enjoying an evening of art and entertainment, Arts Alive attendees and TRAA members will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items, including a watercolor painting from a local artist, Sunday breakfast for two at the Café at Williams Hardware, stained glass work, hand crafted jewelry, couture fashion and many more donations from local artists and businesses.

“We are thrilled that the Hincapies have so generously offered Hotel Domestique for our first fundraiser,” said Beth Sicignano, managing director of TRAA. “This is the perfect setting for Arts Alive. Proceeds from this event will enable us to fund our 501(c)(3) application so we can continue to build quality art events, education and programs into our community.”

Tickets for Arts Alive, which is scheduled to run from 7 – 10 p.m., can be purchased in advance for $35 per person and $60 per couple or $40 per person the night of the event. For more information, call 864.607.6233 864.607.6233  or visit www.artintr.org.

The Travelers Rest Artists Alliance is a multidisciplinary arts organization whose mission is to develop, promote and maintain quality programs and events that foster the arts and encourage community participation through collaboration with artists, local businesses, city organizers and other private/public groups.

A volunteer committee from TRAA is organizing Arts Alive. Kristin LaRoy serves as the event chair and co-chairs are Fay Choban, Debbie Wilson, April Morris, and Peter and Sarah Godfrey.

Pine Nut Syndrome

My friends thought this was a joke when I told them about this.   Let me assure you, this is not joke.  It’s awful.

This is really weird. Wed. I noticed that everything I ate left a bitter and awful taste in my mouth.  I know antibiotics, medications, chemotherapy, etc. cause this but I did none of these.  Did some research on line and found that some people when they eat pine nuts (like in pesto) experience this. It can take 1-3 days after you eat them to notice the symptoms. Sure enough two days ago I got the munchies and ate a couple tablespoons of pine nuts, which I have never done before. Could last 2-4 weeks. It’s really a bad metallic taste.  Many of the people commented that they bought pine nuts from Trader Joes.

Apparently this is a well documented problem called Pine Nut Syndrome. Seems I am lucky to have figured it out so quickly and so far without some of the worse side effects. I am sharing this info with others since it is pretty unusual but certainly not rare.
http://pinenutsyndrome.wordpress.com/pinenutsyndrome/

Today, Friday, after two days of misery and not being able to eat anything, I am better.  Food still tastes bitter but at least I can finish a meal.  Gum helps.

Message: Do not eat pine nuts from China.

The study above has lots more info.   I can’t tell you how miserable I was for two days.   I really couldn’t eat anything.   Hope tomorrow it is gone.   It’s not an allergy like peanuts.   Totally different. Make comments if you have questions.  Would not wish this on anyone.

A delicious lunch at Greenville Tech

Another delicious lunch at the Greenville Tech Culinary School. We went with our friends Lois and Greg and had a nice chat as well as beautiful food.  Wish I had taken some photos.   The presentation was spectacular.   Here is what we got for $8 each.

American Regional Menu

 Clam Chowder with Rolls

 California Mixed Greens with Peanut Dressing

 Salpicon of Chicken with Greens, Vegetables, Blue Cheese, Avocado and Tomatoes

 Southwestern Bean Salad (My Favorite Salad)

 Chilled Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Salad

 Shrimp Pasta Salad

 Clam Bake Terrine with Aioli

Yucca Crusted Fried Catfish with Buttered Popcorn Sauce and Corn Relish

 Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade (YUM!)

Southern Grit Cakes with Country Ham  (One of my favorites)

 Chicken and Sausage Étouffé

 Herb Glazed Meatloaf with Pan Gravy, Whipped Herb Potatoes and Fried Onions

Corn Muffins

Apple Cobbler with Oatmeal Crumb

Raspberry Mousse

 Individual Chocolate Bread Pudding Soufflé  (Excellent with Brown Sugar Ice Cream)

 Fresh Churned Ice Cream (Strawberry, Peach and Brown Sugar)

 Blueberry Pecan Crisp

Getting caught up – classes, vacation, having fun

Haven’t been in the mood to write lately but since I know you all miss me, I thought I should get you caught up on the last month or so.   All is well here and I have been busy.

My OLLI classes are over.   Psychology of Aging was interesting but a little more academic than I expected.   The biggest thing I learned is that there is a lot of benefit and science to show that our brains and personalities can continue to evolve and I am living at an age where great things are possible.  Change is also a good part of this age.

Bob and I tool Appalachian History from the Civil War to now.  It covered SC, NC, Virgina, W. Virginia and Tennessee.  Very good class where we learned about the Hatfield and Mc Coy Feud, the Tennesssee Valley Authority (TVA) work that made the big dams.   The culture of the people is interesting as is the art and literature.   The last class was on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

In April we had a week plus a few days in Ft. Myers and Clearwater FL.  We drove and saw several sets of family and friends, had great weather.   Our place was on the beach and not terribly busy which was good.  The time share was old and small but very well maintained.   Had a pool, hot tub and of course the ocean.  Saw dolphins, jelly fish.   Went on a couple water tours which we always enjoy.   It was a good combination of doing things and sitting around watching the waves roll in.  Loved the new Dali Museum, last photo and the Ringling Museum of Art.

My time on the Newcomers Board.  I’m glad I did it for 3 years but glad it is done.   Now I am on the Board for Travelers Rest Artists Alliance, an organization that will be promoting art in the community.   Interesting and diverse board members and so far I am liking it.   You will be hearing much more of that.  Check out http://artintr.com

Bob nephew Jeff and his wife Sara came for a couple nights in mid May and we had lots of fun showing them around.   They loved the evenings in the hot tub and were excellent guests.   Would have them back any time.

Have also been working on painting and woodworking but the photos didn’t turn out great so need to reshoot them before I do show and tell.

Spring weather has been not as hot as last year and the state after three years is finally out of drought.  We have lots of inexpensive things planned close to home for the summer.

I am very pleased to announce I published my first Kindle book and more

Many of you know I wrote a book with Bob’s mom Helen back in 2005 and it is now out of print.    I am in the process of updating the book for the second edition this fall.  I hope the middle of September.   I wanted to learn some other new publishing skills.  The new edition will cover the years since 2005.

I have taken the ORIGINAL book and made it into a print on demand book.   The printed book  can be ordered at CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4195192

I also did a Kindle book at Amazon and it is available at  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D98XIG8

I’m sure the formatting still has a few problems but overall I am pretty pleased with what I learned and accomplished.

Remembering my mother

This is my mother Arlene when she was about 18.    It is one of my favorite photos.   She has been gone more than 20 years but I still miss her and realize every year what a very wonderful mother she was and especially how artistically talented she was.

Happy Mothers Day mom.   I so wish you were here so I could tell you that and give you a big hug and kiss.

Every climate has something

My heart goes out to my MN friends who are still having freezing temperatures and snow in mid April.

Here in SC the trees are leafing out almost as you watch.   I saw the first azaleas blooming and temps in the 70-80 range.   However there is a downside.   The tree pollen count is incredible high and everything is covered in greenish yellow pollen.  Cars, furniture, siding, cats.   It’s not a pretty sight.  I’m sure it will go on for another week or so.   All the windows are shut and you try to stay indoors as much as possible.  Looking forward to being able to spray everything off.   Rain forecasted tonight so that will help.

I’m still coughing and stuffed up but not as bad as last weekend.   I think I had some kind of 72 bug because it was more than just being stuffed up.   Over the counter medication helps quite a bit and I am back sleeping in my own bed again, although I do like the guest room bed.