Christmas in New York - Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes was stunning. My favorite numbers were the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, polished up and brighter than ever, and the Living Nativity told reverently in pageantry, music, and scripture. Of course I had to purchase the Rockettes Christmas ornaments to add to my Christmas tree collection.

Christmas in New York - Broadway Shows

"Something Rotten!” brought down the house. This musical is original and hilarious mocking Shakespeare and musicals alike. "Les Miserable” never disappoints and Alfie Boe is a stunning Valjean "Aladdin" was fun and wonderfully staged.

Christmas in New York - Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The annual Christmas tree, a worldwide symbol of the holidays in New York City, in Rockefeller Center was dazzling. Giant in stature and sentiment, the tree is a true delight.

Christmas in New York - Store Windows

The New York City store windows are not to be missed at Christmas.  Bergdorf Goodman partnered with Swarovski to create beautiful, elaborate, and enchanting window scenes. My favorite was the enormous pearl-encrusted sculpture of Neptune. The Winter Palace at Saks Firth Avenue light show was breathtaking and the window depicting the Eiffel Tower serves as a reminder of how this significant landmark is standing strong today.

Meowy Christmas!

 Christmas photo taken by SJK Photography at Union Cross Animal Hospital’s annual Christmas pet photos. It was a fantastic experience with everyone involved in the photo shoot being so kind and patient to help Spencer be more at ease. This year, all proceeds are going to Saving Grace Canine Academy to sponsor a service canine for a local veteran. Would highly recommend these Christmas photos for anyone with a 4-legged family next year!

Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread

Made this Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread from the Southern Living Magazine September 2015 recipes using the pumpkin pulp from my sugar pie pumpkins I grew this summer and honey from my bees.  The bread turned out quite good. This recipe makes 2 loaves.

Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread

Mix the batter only until the dry ingredients disappear. (Lumps are normal.)Over mixing causes tough or misshapen loaves. Makes 2 loaves.

Ingredients

            2 cups sugar

            1 cup canola oil

            2/3 cup beer (at room temperature)

            1/4 cup honey

            4 large eggs

            1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin

            3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

            2 teaspoons table salt

            2 teaspoons baking soda

            1 teaspoon baking powder

            1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

            Shortening

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add pumpkin, and beat at low speed just until blended.

2. Whisk together flour and next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl until well blended. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, and beat at low speed just until blended. Divide batter between 2 greased (with shortening) and floured 9- x 5-inch loaf pans.

3. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, shielding with aluminum foil after 45 to 50 minutes to prevent excessive browning if necessary. Cool bread in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool 30 minutes before slicing.

How to Roast Sugar Pumpkin to Make Fresh Pumpkin Puree

• Choose a small 2-3 pound sugar pumpkin(s)
• Slice stem off before slcing in half so you don't have to slice through the stem. Cut pumpkin in half.
• With a sharp-edged spoon, scoop out the seeds and guts.

• Brush inside with oil  and place face down on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I roasted three sugar pumpkins since they are so tiny and could all fit on my pan.
• Preheat oven and roast pumpkins at 350F for about 45-50 minutes. The exact time will vary depending on the size of the pumpkin(s)so you may need more time. The skin will be slightly darker and you should be able to poke a fork quite easily through.
• Let the pumpkin cool for 10 minutes before handling. Grab a large spoon and peel away the very thin skin. It comes off almost effortlessly. At this point, you can use the flesh in all kinds of dishes.

Remember My Father on Veteran's Day

Remembering my father, Bob Hodges, who served in the military from November 1942 through December 1945 as a Tec. 5, in the US Army Quartermaster Corp. during World War II. He was wounded while in Persia (Iran) and hospitalized for 5 months. He received the Purple Heart.

My father…photo taken somewhere in Russia during his service in the US Army Quartermaster Corp.

 A United States Army truck convoy carrying supplies for the aid of Russia somewhere along the Persian Corridor.

A view of the Persian Corridor, a supply route through Persia (Iran) into Russia by which supplies were transported during World War II.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

These wild turkeys were parading though the yard in Banner Elk. The word turkey brings to mind Thanksgiving feasts. For the true taste of Thanksgiving, how about going wild. It doesn’t get more free range than this.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL Creeps Into High Point Theatre Halloween Weekend

High Point Community Theatre presents

THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL

Director - Casey Kern

Music Director - Chris Tilley

Choreographer - Alison Presley

WHEN

Thursday, October 29  – 7:30PM

Friday, October 30   – 7:30 PM (Family Night – Wear your costumes and trick or treat with the cast: 6:30)

Saturday, October 31 – 10:00PM  (Halloween party – Live music by Dex Romweber and costume contest with prizes; 8:30)

Sunday, November 1 – 2:00PM

WHERE

High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Ave. High Point, NC 27260

ABOUT THE SHOW

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love. But, when she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's 'normal' boyfriend and his parents. Contains some mild language and innuendo.

ABOUT DEX ROMWEBER (Halloween party entertainment)

Former front man for the psycho-surf-rockabilly-garage-punk combo Flat Duo Jets,
Dexter released his first of fifteen albums in 1990 to rave reviews worldwide. He starred alongside R.E.M. and The B-52s in the 1987 cult classic film Athens, Ga. Inside Out.
His first national tour in 1990 was as opening act for The Cramps. He was showcased on MTV's The Cutting Edge and 120 Minutes, appeared with the Flat Duo Jets in videos s
uch as "Wild Wild Lover" and "Radioactive Man", made a

stunning performance on Late Night with David Letterman, and has shared the

stage with dozens of rock's underground kings including Iggy Pop, the White

Stripes, AntiSeen, Reverend Horton Heat and many, many others.

TICKETS

Tickets $18-$22. Available at www.hpct.com, by phone 336-887-3001 or at the door.

Grandmama Headshot

My headshot for The Addams Family at High Point Community Theatre.

Digging Potatoes

It's that time of year...harvesting potatoes

Great yield of a variety of potatoes

Always fun to see what shape nature may provide...a heart!

Clematis virginiana

This is a photo of a Clematis virginiana also known as Devil's darning needles, Virgin's Bower, or Old Man's Beard climbing up the side of the barn in the mountains. Lacking tendrils, the vine supports itself by means of twisted stems that wrap around other plants or structures.

This is a beautiful plant with feathery tails or plumes, that give a hoary appearance and is especially showy in late summer. The bees love this common Clematis as they are gathering pollen.

HPCT Addams Family Cast List

They're creepy and they're kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They're all together ooky 

Principals:

Gomez - Matthew Adams
Morticia - Ashley Pearson
Fester - Matthew Davidson
Wednesday- Hannah Ficklin
Pugsley - Jack Price
Grandmama - Angela Hodges
Lurch -Ross Emery
Mal - Matthew Lowe
Alice - Courtney Lowe

Lucas - Spencer Kapral

Cousin Itt - Christian Lowe

Featured Dancers:
Kammy Forester - Rosie the Riveter

Kristi Post - Valkyrie
Rachel Walker - Geisha
Caroline Patterson - Flight Attendant
Tori Seals - Flapper
Rachael Robinson - Courtesan
Becky King - Bride
Connor Webber - Boxer
Toni DePaoli - Bobby Soxer
Angela Daulton - Cavewoman/featured singer
Josh Rogers - Soldier/featured singer

Ensemble:
Walter Boyd - Conquistador

Kathy Jarrel - Conquistadora
Melanie Rodgers - Saloon Girl/featured singer
Shannon Peace - Caveman
Bronwen Bradshaw
Torrey Jackson
Sarah France
Madison Thorpe
Wallis Burks
Matty Sorrell
Steven Batts
Amy Chadwell
Lauren Allred
Tristian Beck
Kevin Danko
Housten Farlow
Lori Woolard
Adrian Beck
DJ Shannon

Sugar Pie Pumpkins

Sugar pie pumpkins are favored for pumpkin pies and have the highest concentration of sugar than other type pumpkins. A typical 6" Sugar Pie pumpkin is enough for one pumpkin pie (8" pie pan).

Sugar pie pumpkin blossom

Small Sugar Pumpkin - Turning Orange!

Bee on sugar pie pumpkin blossom

Lees McRae Summer Theatre 2015 cast of “Oliver”.

Janet Speer -  LMST Artistic Director, Director

Adams, John Henry - Fagin's Boys

Allison, Beth -  Ensemble

Anderson, Geana - Strawberry Seller/ Widow Corney/Ensemble

Bear, Conrad - Bill Sykes

Bear, Tiffany - Nancy

Best, Keller - Group 1

Binder,Daniel - Charles Bates/Fagin's boys/Group 1

Binder, Jaclyn -  Group 1

Binder, Sunny - Ensemble

Birks, Alison - Fagin's Boys

Birks-Killman, Cassidy - Group 1

Birks-Killman, Katie  - Fagin's Boys

Birks-Killman, Lilian -  Group 1

Birks-Killman, Sarah - Group 1

Bishop, Aleah - Group 1

Braverman, Kaelin - Group 1

Burnop, Cameron -  Fagin's Boys

Burnop, Jackson - Group 1

Burnop, Preston - Group 1

Carringer, Laura - Mrs. Bedwin/Ensemble

Courtney, Casey - Mr. Grimwig/Ensemble

Florio, Jake - Fagin's Boys

Franklin, Burlene - Old Sally/Ensemble/Cameo Roles

Franklin, Payton - Fagin's Boys-Oliver

Garret, Izzy - Workhouse boys/group 1

Garret, Will - Fagin's Boys

Gebo, Richard - Fagin

Gittner, Dylan - Fagin's Boys

Gittner, Will - Fagin's Boys

Haas, Bob - Bumble

Hicks, Madirose - Fagin's Boys

Hodges, Angela - Ensemble

Hosbein, Barbara - Ensemble

Kjaelruff, Carsten - Fagin's Boys

Kjaelruff, Isabella - Workhouse boys/group 1

Larson, Dick - Mr. Brownlow/Ensemble

Martin, Andrew - Noah/Ensemble

Martin, Connor - Oliver

Martin, William - Knife-grinder/Ensemble

Monteith, Candice - Ensemble

Oden, Alice - Group 1

Oden, Clara - Group 1

Palmyra, Bryce - Artful Dodger

Parent, Isabella - Fagin's Boys

Phillips, Helen - Ensemble

Ray, Jonathan - Mr. Sowerberry /Ensemble

Ray, Kathy - Dancer/Ensemble

Roe, Sirena - Fagin's Boys

Shore, Diego - Group 1

Sloan, John Michael - Ensemble

Smith, Audrey - Bett

Swinney, Brian - Ensemble

Taylor, Sydney - Group 1

Vergara, Ben - Fagin's Boys

Vergara, Jacob - Fagin's Boys

Vergara, Marly - Group 1

Warrick, John - Ensemble

Wasmund, Peggy - Ensemble

Waterfield, Michael - Ensemble

Welch, Madison - Group 1

Yawn, Annie - Fagin's Boys

Lees-McRae opens Summer Theatre season with 'Oliver!' - The Avery Journal-Times: News

LMC prepares for opening to Summer Theatre season

Pictured from left are Preston Burnop, Bryce Palyma, Cameron Burnop, Richard Gebo, Connor Burnop, Jake Florio and Jackson Burnop as they prepare for performances of "Oliver!," beginning this Friday, June 26.

Lees-McRae College prepares to open its 31st year of summer productions this week with its first production of the summer season, "Oliver!," which begins this Thursday, June 26

According to artistic director, Dr. Janet Barton Speer, as well as members of the cast, preparations for the leadoff of three productions this season have gone smoothly.

"If we've had any glitches, they've been really minor," Speer said following a rehearsal last weekend. "We brought in our technicians really early this year, and so the whole set was ready by the time we got on it, as were the props and the costumes. It's really been terrific."

LMC Summer Theatre opens with a musical adaptation of the classic Shakespeare tale Oliver Twist, centered around an orphan who runs away from an orphanage and hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger and masterminded by the elderly mentor/criminal Fagin.

A total of 62 performers were cast for the LMCST production, with 50 of the members hailing from Avery County, giving a local flair to the musical.

"We have a lot of local children playing roles and that had brought a lot of local interest. We have grandmothers and mothers and family members and friends involved. We hope this helps to get Avery County back into our doors again," Speer explained. "I feel like for a while they have felt that they couldn't come here, but that isn't true. We want to serve Avery, Watauga and everyone around us, and not only the residents who arrive during the summer on a part-time basis."

The actors themselves noted that preparing for the iconic musical that in film won multiple Academy and Golden Globe Awards was a positive process.

"For me, it's been really awesome diving into a unique character," said Richard Gebo, who portrays Fagin. "Learning the mannerism of the character with a Eastern European Jewish with the Internet as a primary resource has been a unique challenge. It's been really rewarding finding who this guy is and finding both his caring side for his boys and the evil side of him."

"I've not had many major difficulties, but it has been fun to portray the character and identify with the poor and hard life he had," Connor Martin, who portrays the title character, Oliver, in the production.

In preparing for his role, Gebo discovered additional inspiration as the curtain prepares to rise this week.

"I watched the movie like all of us, and Ron Moody was the absolute model for all my work in preparing for this role. I was absolutely heartbroken when I had heard he passed away last week," Gebo said. "I'm definitely going to have him on my mind while I'm performing and thinking about paying tribute to him with my work."

"I read the book and read word-for-word details of what happened. I also watched the movie which showed the facial expressions of how hard it was," Martin added.

"I watched the Broadway production and also read the book, trying to prepare myself for my first theatre production," Bryce Palmyra, who portrays The Artful Dodger, explained.

"We also sent the cast images of workhouse boys and things like that to give them some things to think about, to come up with their own backgrounds before you get here," Speer said.

Expectations for the upcoming production of "Oliver!" are high

"As far as artistic expectations, I have really high ones. The stars have sort of all aligned for this performance," Speer added. "We have the right people in the right roles, and it has felt very good from start to finish. It has been an easy process, which doesn't always occur. You would think that working with 50 children wouldn't be an easy process, but it has been. These children have been delightful."

The actors who have prepared for more than three weeks for "Oliver!" hope to see full houses each time the musical is performed, and offers reasons for why visitors should come to Hayes Auditorium to see the show.

"Those who come can see the real story of London, the good and the bad. This cast is amazingly talented and it is a great show to see firsthand," Martin said.

"Someone who comes to see "Oliver!" is coming to see one of the great pieces of literature of our time come to life with an incredible set, a talented cast and technical wizardry from some of the best people we can find," Gebo added.

"The music of this show is outstanding as well," Speer said. "Songs such as 'Consider Yourself' and 'As Long as He Needs Me' are famous pieces, and it's just a great musical."

"Oliver!" begins its run at Hayes Auditorium with a performance at 7 p.m. this Thursday, June 26, with additional 7 p.m. performances on June 27 and 30, as well as July 1 and 2. Performances will also take place at 2 p.m. on June 28 and July 3. Ticket prices range from $35 to $40 for adults and from $18 to $20 for students and children.