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“Kale was in first class looking back at all the other leafy greens in coach. And then out of nowhere, collard greens go and get on a private jet.”
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One of the “frozen” gators at Ocean Isle’s Swamp Park. (Photo: Courtesy of George Howard).
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Gators on Ice
Most Southerners will admit it: We’re just not made for freezing temperatures. But don’t tell that to a group of North Carolina alligators. During a particularly cold spell last week, George Howard, the manager of Ocean Isle’s Swamp Park, discovered the park’s troop of eighteen gators submerged in an iced-over pond with just their snouts peeking out. They remained below the ice for days, eventually thawing out with the water as though nothing had happened. This is now the second time Howard has observed the unusual behavior. He saw the same thing last January and noticed that the entire group seemed to know the drill, all assuming the hibernation-like position at once. Experts believe the cold-weather trick is most likely instinctual, though it’s only been examined a handful of times since the first recorded cases in North and South Carolina in the ‘70s. “They slow down their heart rate, their digestive system, and they just sit there and wait out the cold weather,” Adam E. Rosenblatt, a biology professor at the University of North Florida, tells the Washington Post. “It’s a pretty amazing adaptation.”
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A Star Chef’s Big Plans
Ever since Sean Brock announced last August that he was moving into an advisory role at Husk, the lauded restaurant he founded in Charleston, South Carolina, and has since brought to Nashville and elsewhere, the Southern food world has been wondering what’s next for the superstar chef. Now there’s an answer. Brock has just revealed plans for a sprawling, 10,000-square-foot restaurant in East Nashville devoted to the culture and cuisine of Appalachia. Though the James Beard winner made his name refining Lowcountry fare, he grew up in Virginia coal country, and it’s that heritage that will serve as inspiration for the still-unnamed space, slated to open next winter. Expect Brock’s signature takes on the meals of his childhood along with a podcast produced on site that will document the region’s foodways and stories. “This is the restaurant I want to retire in,” Brock tells the Wall Street Journal. “For me it’s a clean slate, a new thing to obsess over, a new thing to dedicate the rest of my life to.” One question remains: How soon can we reserve a table?
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A C.O.S. (Closed On Sunday) chicken sandwich from Gamechanger in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo: David Crawford)
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Super Time in Atlanta
All eyes are on Atlanta this week ahead of Super Bowl 53, which kicks off Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The city’s welcome mat includes a bevy of concerts, fan “experiences,” and other events, but we’ve rounded up a few more ways to make the most of Super Sunday.
>> If you have a ticket to the game, be sure to check our guide to eating inside the stadium. We talked to several Atlantans for their preferred stadium snacks. (The Hot Mess at Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand received lots of love.) One thing that won’t be available: The Chick-fil-A located on Concourse 100. It’s Sunday, after all, and not even the Super Bowl trumps company policy.
>> If you’re in town and looking for good eating, chef Ford Fry shared with us his favorite spots in the city for everything from morning coffee to late-night bites. “What really makes them great is the people,” he says. “You can easily tell when the staff enjoys their job. When they do, it takes the restaurant to another level.”
>> Watching at home? We recently posted this perfectly Southern (and oh-so-simple) cocktail that’s ideal for game day, the bourbon-and-Coke slushy. Make yourself one, then start counting the days ’til college football season starts. One of the first games: Georgia Tech at Clemson, Thursday, August 29.
>> Even if you’re not into the Super Bowl this year (we hear you, Saints fans), you can still get into the spirit by watching this awwww-inspiring video from the Georgia Aquarium. These creatures got game!
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Bermuda Beckons
Need an escape from the winter blahs? Bermuda’s natural beauty and famously mild climes are enticing year-round, and right now during the Pink Sale, several hotels on the island are offering fifty percent off stays now through April and from September 1 through December 31. Just make sure to book before January 31 to take advantage of the special rates. Another deal: February is spa month in Bermuda, which means you can score the same discount on select treatments at some of the island’s most alluring resorts and day spas. Direct flights are a little more than two hours from several East Coast cities, making a trip to Bermuda an easy escape that feels a world away. Read more about Bermuda and its Pink Sale.
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From Haskell Harris, Style Director
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As a new mom, I’ve become well acquainted with the value of a tote bag, but I’m always on the hunt for pieces that look a little more handbag than mom bag. I love the designs from Trademark. The bags are as sophisticated as they are hardworking, ideal for everything from groceries to tailgating accoutrements to, in my case, diapers and a laptop. $148; shopbop.com
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Last week we asked about the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: “Which breed are you pulling for and why?” Labs, bulldogs, goldens, and Boykins and other spaniels received the most mentions. Here’s a sampling of your responses, and see many more here.
Beagle, of course. My beautiful tri-color black 12-year-old beagle is full of fun and mischief. —Angela M.
The Boykin spaniel. State Dog of South Carolina. Beautiful, smart, great retrievers that won’t rock the boat, great with children, perfect size. —Jane T.
I’m pulling for a Jack Russell terrier. I love these energetic little dogs. They are bursting with personality, not to mention cute as a bug in a rug! —Tracey H.
Otterhound. Could there be a cuter hound dog? —Marcelle P.
Uh, hello, the Labrador. Hopefully a yellow one. —Cheryl W.
Pomeranian. We love the big dog in a little package. We have had five of them, and they have so much personality. —Rena F.
I am pulling for the French bulldog, Tuggy. My wife, Jodi, is the handler for Tuggy. Team Tuggy. —Tim L.
That classic breed, the American Patio Puppy. Shows up on your patio and talks itself into two hots and a cot. —Al F.
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THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONWhat’s your go-to cold weather comfort food?
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Beginning February 1
Mad for Madeira
Madeira has been Savannah’s drink of choice since the founding of the colony of Georgia in 1733. Every Friday and Saturday evening in February, the Davenport House Museum invites visitors to learn about the fortified wine’s long history in the city—and get a taste—during Potable Gold: Savannah’s Madeira Tradition.
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Beginning February 1
Rise and ShineExperience Gullah food, music, art, and more during Hilton Head Island’s Gullah Celebration, a series of events throughout February. On Saturday morning, watch (and eat) as cooks prepare a traditional coastal breakfast of stewed oysters, shrimp in gravy, fried fish, and grits at the Historic Cherry Hill School.
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February 2
(Ground)hog Wild
Is it spring yet or six more weeks of winter? We’ll see what Punxsutawney Phil and his Southern brethren have to say about it this Saturday. Happy Groundhog Day!
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