Taste of Home: Favorite Dishes, Drinks and Ingredients

Recently, I was in a doctor’s office waiting room and read the May 2009 issue of Bon Appétit. It was “The Travel Issue" showcasing the "Best of the USA." One particular article caught my attention, offering a "definitive state-by-state list of the best dishes, drinks and ingredients." This is a great roadmap if you’re like me and enjoy seeking out authentic, traditional and local flavors when you travel.

Of course, lists like these create controversy as people are passionate about home-state favorites. For my home-state of Michigan, Bon Appétit suggests buying Hot Cheese Crunchy Chips from Better Made Snack Foods made in Detroit since 1930; eating a slice of cherry pie at The Cherry Hut Restaurant in Beulah which has been a tradition since 1922; and drinking Bell's Porter from Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo with a more recent history dating back nearly 25 years.

All are excellent choices. But I have my own recommendations: buy a jar of Sanders milk chocolate hot fudge sauce, a Detroit tradition since 1875; eat a burger at Halo Burger, which has been a mainstay in Flint for more than 80 years; and drink a Vernors, Michigan's version of ginger ale with origins dating back to the Civil War.

Take a look at the Bon Appétit list. Do you agree with your home-state recommendations? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.

Next week, the Gozaic team will share their recommendations.

Mary Billingsley is the director of media relations for Gozaic.com.

Images top to bottom: The Cherry Hut; Halo Burger

Gettysburg in the Winter: A Battlefield at Rest

Gozaic’s “circles of interest” allow experts in specifics fields to share insight and tips. Today, we take a look at a recent blog post in the Civil War Buffs Circle. Moderator Rob Shenk is with the Civil War Preservation Trust and talks about the history of the Civil War and recommends places to retrace the steps of great leaders and common soldiers alike.

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in the summer heat of July 1863. Rob recently visited Gettysburg in the winter—without the crowds. He reports the solitude gave him a chance to see this hallowed ground in a whole new light.

Have you visited any Civil War battlefields in the winter? If so, share your experience. Whether you are a novice or a battlefield aficionado, we hope you will join the Civil War Buffs Circle today!

Photo courtesty of Rob Shenk and the Civil War Preservation Trust

Americana Week, New York City

The Gozaic online community features a number of “circles of interest” devoted to specific topics. Today, we take a look at a recent blog post in the Discovering Antiques and Art Circle, moderated by Johanna McBrien, editor-in-chief of Antiques and Fine Art Magazine.

Johanna gives a great overview of the upcoming Americana Week. Antique enthusiasts and connoisseurs converge on New York for more than a week of events centered around four major antiques shows and the Americana auctions. Additionally, dealers hold gallery exhibitions to coincide with the timing. Johanna also lists a few of the must-see museum exhibits in New York.

Have you attended Americana Week? If so, share your tips and insight in the comments section below. If you are a fan of antiques and art, join this circle today!

Photo credits: Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975), Martha’s Vineyard, ca. 1950s. Oil on tin, 8 x 6 ¼ inches. Courtesy Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts, LLC; Charles Henry Gifford (1839-1904), Vessels at Sunset off Grand Manan. Oil on canvas, 12 x 20 inches. Courtesy Hyland Granby Antiques.

Savor Local Flavors and Experience the History of a Place

For me, the association of a particular food with a certain place is a part of American culture. Whether it is lobster rolls at a roadside shack in Maine, a cheese steak sandwich in Philadelphia, sourdough bread in San Francisco or deep-dish pizza in Chicago, sampling local and traditional food is an important part of traveling and experiencing local history.

The connection between food and place was evident on a recent family trip south on I-95 en route to warmer weather. The need for refueling—both gas and lunch—found us leaving the interstate at exit 57 in Walterboro, South Carolina. A billboard at the end of the exit ramp suggested Duke's Barbeque. Passing the typical gauntlet of golden arches, we followed the signs for the local treat. (Duke's Barbeque, 949 Robertson Blvd., Walterboro, S.C., 843-549-1446)

Duke's offers a cafeteria selection of all-you-can-eat Southern flavors: $9 for adults; $5.50 for children ages 4-12; and children under 4 are free. The long line of self-serve chafing dishes are full of barbeque pork with a variety of sauces, hush puppies, fried corn, fried okra, baked beans and salads. Desserts included banana pudding, carrot cake, peach cobbler and much more. We enjoyed the lunch on several levels. Not only was it better than the typical fast-food, but the experience was one we won’t soon forget. We are still talking about the roll of paper towel and the loaf of white bread that were on every table, providing a homey and authentic touch.

Can you recommend a favorite local restaurant that showcases regional flavors and cuisine? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.

Mary Billingsley is the director of media relations for Gozaic.com.

Images by Mary Billingsley

Happy 75th Birthday, Elvis

The King of Rock ‘n Roll would have turned 75 tomorrow. To celebrate, Gozaic partner, Graceland, is hosting a weekend of activities as well as events at other locations throughout the year. If you can’t make it to Graceland this weekend, you can watch the birthday events live on Elvis.com.

Grab a peanut butter and banana sandwich to eat as you plan your Elvis travels! Here are a few suggestions.

Elvis Presley's red and white 1956 Model KH Harley-Davidson motorcycle is the centerpiece of a special limited engagement exhibit at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Running through January 31, the exhibit also features a display of photos from Elvis’ 1968 career-changing "Comeback" television special.

Cirque du Soleil presents the stage show Viva ELVIS, a musical tribute to the life and sounds of Elvis Presley through dance, acrobatics and music. The show is at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and runs through April.

Want to catch-up on your favorite Elvis movie? An all-day marathon of Elvis films will air on Turner Classic Movies on January 8.

The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles is hosting, Elvis at 21, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition of photojournalist Alfred Wertheimer's photos of Elvis from 1956. The show debuts January 8 and runs through March 28. This exhibit will then travel to museums around the country through 2013.

Elvis!, an exhibit The Newseum in Washington, D.C., opens on March 12. The exhibit tells the story of Presley as he was portrayed in the news media. Cool artifacts to see include Presley’s iconic 1957 Harley- Davidson motorcycle; the “American Eagle” jumpsuit and cape he wore during the rehearsal for his 1973 Aloha From Hawaii concert; the gold and diamond belt presented to him in 1969 for breaking Las Vegas attendance records; and the coat and belt Presley wore during his historic 1970 White House meeting with Nixon.

Images courtesy of Juli Lederhaus who visited Graceland in November 2009.

Photo Journal: Marshall, Michigan

Located in south-central Michigan, Marshall is home to the state’s largest National Historic Landmark District. This town of 7,500 residents has more than 850 buildings in the National Historic Landmark District. In 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation included Marshall on its annual list of Distinctive Destinations.

My sister lives in Marshall and through the years, I’ve seen Marshall in every season. This year, we visited during the holidays when downtown streets, lamp posts and trees are decorated beautifully. Historic downtown Marshall offers visitors several blocks of locally-owned shops, art galleries, antique shops and restaurants.

This 100-year old restaurant was and is a favorite stop from Detroit to Chicago. For generations Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub has been a destination for special events. The crock of bar cheese and chips from Schuler’s were considered a great treat during my childhood. Today, you can buy them at the grocery store and I always bring some home from each visit to Marshall.

Another historic restaurant is a great place for casual dining. The Stage Coach Inn was built in 1838 along the trails from Detroit to Chicago.

Historic sites and museums showcase local history and include everything from the G.A.R. Hall Civil War Museum to the American Museum of Magic.

Fountain Circle at the edge of Marshall’s historic downtown features the newly restored Brooks Fountain. During the holidays, figures outline the circle including this Santa Claus and reindeer. A few years ago, I watched the annual Christmas parade from this circle. The parade is held the Monday following Thanksgiving and includes more than a 100 groups marching. In the summer, the July 4th children’s and pet parade is followed by a chicken bbq and concert at Fountain Circle.

State Senator James Wright Gordon built this home in 1839 with the hopes it would become the Governor’s Mansion. The same year, he introduced a bill to make his hometown the state’s capital. His dreams were not fulfilled and the capital was assigned to Lansing.

Abner Pratt settled in Marshall in 1839. In the 1850s, he was the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. From 1857-59 he was appointed United States Consul to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). Upon his return to Marshall in 1860, he built this home, known as Honolulu House, to recreate the island atmosphere.

A few additional places to visit in Marshall:

American Museum of Magic

G.A.R. Hall Civil War Museum

U.S. Postal Museum

Mary Billingsley is director of media relations for Gozaic.com

Photos by Mary Billingsley