Friday, August 18, 2006

Quick hits: Wine and the Rat

Lexington not just known for pig and, well, pigs
Lexington is well-known for its culinary link to barbecue. The city has also become famous (at least in N.C.) for its "Pigs In the City" art project. However, a new Lexington festival hopes to shine some attention on local vineyards.

"The Barbecue Festival, Richard Childress Racing and fiberglass pigs won't be the only big draws for visitors to Lexington this year," writes the Lexington Dispatch. "Arts United's first Art of the Vine Festival will be Saturday at Childress Vineyards and will feature local artists, wine tasting, food, music and more.

" 'I think as it continues to be an annual event here in Lexington - with the participation from the winery and local artists that we have - I think it can turn into and become a very nice event for Lexington and for Arts United,' said Radford Thomas, president of the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce. The Lexington Tourism Authority contracts with the chamber to operate its Visitors Center and run administrative operations.

" 'It's always good when we have a partnership formed between two organizations that we consider to be strong attractions for tourists coming into Lexington,' Thomas said. ..."

A Chapel Hill institution re-opens
Chapel Hill's The Rathskellar just re-opened after undergoing some renovations -- just in time for the fall semester to begin at UNC-Chapel Hill.

"It looks great,” Ed Morgan, a waiter at the Rathskeller, told News 14 Carolina. “I love it, especially the Cave."

"Morgan, better known as Squeaky, has worked on and off at the Rathskeller for 40 years, since he was 16," says the station. "When he was younger, he says he would take orders without writing them down.

" 'I can't do it now,' Squeaky said with a smile. 'I go to one table and take the order -- I' ve got to write everything down.' ..."

1 comment:

M. Lail said...

I can remember going to the Rat on a class field trip in 8th grade (visiting the planetarium). It was a great, funky, well-worn place. And the bottomless cup of sweet tea was awesome!