New England may get all the press about fall colors, but G&G’ers know there’s really nothing quite like autumn in the South. Football is in full bloom, the mosquitos are taking a breather, and the air at night is finally lighter than a dump truck. To celebrate the season, we’ve mixed up a special cocktail featuring what’s happening around the South, and we’re calling it The Shot:
Up, Pup & Away
Photo: Courtesy of the Atlanta Humane Society
Bolita was one of the dozens of dogs brought to the United States from Puerto Rico.
Calling all dog lovers: The Humane Society of the United States chartered a jet to Puerto Rico last week and has airlifted more than 120 dogs off the island for adoption on the mainland. The canines arrived last week at Gwinnett County Airport near Atlanta. After a vet check and any follow-up medical care, these so-cute-it-hurts pups, including Bolita (above), will be waiting to come home with you from one of the four participating shelters here in the South—Atlanta, Nashville, Charleston and Cashiers, North Carolina. Now go fetch Bolita!
Photo: Courtesy of the Atlanta Humane Society
The pups were flown in last week and will be available for adoption soon.
Birthday Girl
Photo: CAMMIE G HENRY RESEARCH CENTER
Roberts as Shelby in Steel Magnolias.
Georgia native Julia Roberts is turning 50 on Saturday. And before you say, “Julia Roberts is 50?!” we’re going to interrupt to say, “Julia, girl, you don’t look a day over fabulous.” To mark the occasion, we’ve prepared a sampler of Roberts’ top Southern movie quotes:
5. “Why is Congress saying one thing and doing nothing?” JR as Texas doyenne Joanne Herring in Charlie Wilson’s War, asking the question that never goes out of style.
4. “Big mistake. Huge.” JR in Pretty Woman, teaching the world never to underestimate a flame-haired Southerner in knee-high boots.
3. “And when I ride off into the sunset, I want my own horse.” JR as Maggie in Runaway Bride, preaching to our choir.
2. “You’re supposed to be my friends!” JR as Grace in Something to Talk About, in her epic meltdown at the Savannah Junior League, spoken with appropriate irony.
1. “My colors are blush and bashful, Mama.” JR as Shelby in Steel Magnolias, delivering the most Southern quote in the most Southern movie. Of. All. Time.
First Call
RICHARD CLAY
This weekend’s International Virginia Gold Cup plays host to one of the most intense annual competitions on the East Coast, and we’re just talking about the hat and tailgating contests. Add the prestigious seven-race steeplechase, along with the stunning venue at Virginia’s Great Meadow, and it’s easy to see why the event attracts some 50,000 spectators. Expect plenty of jockey silks, bow ties, ladies’ hats, terrier races, and catered tailgates with candelabra and crystal. And if you want to place a bet at this historic race? Now there’s an app for that.
Out of the Ashes
Remember the Alamo? No really, do you remember the Alamo Steakhouse in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where a horrific fire last year burned more than 14,000 acres and 2,000 buildings—including the steakhouse? Closed since the fire, happily, the Alamo is now back open for business, complete with most of its staff intact. The Alamo’s owner had insisted on an insurance policy to pay employees if he ever had to close unexpectedly, which he and many others did. Now much of the town is back and saying “Y’all come.” Here’s to good bosses, strong spirits, and the people of Sevier County, including our beloved Dolly Parton, who have taken care of each other through thick and thin.
Binge That
Photo: STACEY VAN BERKEL
Vivian Howard.
It’s possible that the “B” in PBS stands for “binge-watch” because the newest season of Vivian Howard’s A Chef’s Life is just that good. There’s something strangely addictive about a show in which the biggest dilemma in town is the pole bean shortage at Miss Tessie Mae’s. In these strange times, that’s our kind of trouble. So we’re standing by for more eastern North Carolina high jinks from Chef Howard in next week’s episode, “A Food Truck in a Pear Tree.”
Parting Shots
This week, the team at The Shot is: Sad to share that the Cone Mills White Oak plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, the last selvedge denim plant in United States, is closing shop after 110 years. They’ll never make ’em like that again. … Doing a pre-tox (a preemptive detox) in anticipation of this weekend’s Florida-Georgia football game. Polite company calls this “the world’s largest cocktail party,” but if bad decisions had a home, this is where they’d live. … Planning ahead for next year’s Middleburg Film Festival. Think Sundance with horses and hounds. Yes, please. … Doing a slow clap for the menu planners at Atlanta-based Arby’s. They served venison Saturday, elk last month, and are going full dad jeans this week with deep fried turkey just in time for Thanksgiving. We haven’t actually eaten at Arby’s in ten years, but we are talking about Arby’s now, and isn’t that the point? Well played, Arby’s.
Until next week, friends.
