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Saltwater Sensations Brunswick County hosts its North Carolina Oyster Festival each year in October at Ocean Isle Beach. Recipes for the 2003 festival came from “Saltwater Sensations,” the festival’s official cookbook published by the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce. The book contains 400 recipes from local families and restaurants, plus seafood preparation tips. It’s printed in a 3-ring binder. Take a look at a few sample recipes: Sesame Encrusted Tuna Filets With Wasabi Mayonnaise, Crab Elegance, Stars New England Clam Chowder, and Hushpuppies. To get a copy of “Saltwater Sensations,” send $25 (including tax and shipping) to Saltwater Sensations Cookbook, Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1185, Shallotte, NC 28459. Or call (800) 426-6644. Web site: www.brunswickcountychamber.org |
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Parkway guide The “Guide To The Blue Ridge Parkway” is designed to be read from a car seat. The milepost book highlights attractions and destinations on the 469-mile Parkway, including cultural parks, campgrounds, trailheads and historical Appalachia. Sidebars cover topics such as the preservation of view sheds and habits of animals along the Parkway. A bloom calendar that notes flower location is also included. “Guide To The Blue Ridge Parkway” by Victoria Logue, Frank Logue and Nicole Blouin sells for $13.95. Published by Menasha Ridge Press in Birmingham, Ala. Softcover, 154 pages, 28 full-color color photos, two full-color maps. Available in Parkway shops, you can also call (800) 243-0495 or visit www.menasharidge.com. |
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“Craft Heritage Trails” To update this recently released edition of “The Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina,” co-author Betty Hurst says she drove 12,000 miles through the mountains to visit studios and galleries. The third edition weaves in 200 new additions, as well as previous listings, for pottery, basketry, iron pieces, hand-made furniture, cottage crafts, painting, print making and hand carvings, along with descriptions of restaurants and places to stay. The book covers 22 counties, including one tour encircling Mount Mitchell and another that begins in Black Mountain and ends in Hendersonville. Expanded tour sections provide narrative, a route map, listings, photographs and traveler insights. More than 550 listings in all. $19.95. Published by Handmade in America in Asheville. Call (800) 331-4154 or visit www.handmadeinamerica.org. |
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Feeding Busy Families The Frantic Family Cookbook contains quick, inexpensive and mostly healthy meals for busy cooks. Armed with recipes named “Cheap-o Cassoulet,” “Clean Out the Crisper Vegetable Soup,” and “Son Manic Meatloaf,” the book discusses soup-less casseroles and chicken “every which way” as well as cooking terms, pantry basics and time-saving kitchen tools such as the wok. Author Leanne Ely is a former member of Rutherford EMC. Published by Champion Press in Fredonia, WS. Hardcover, 164 pages. $29.95. Call (262) 692-3897 or visit www.championpress.com |
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Scotland and Appalachian bonds Scotland and Southern Appalachia have always shared a strong connection. Many of the first people to settle permanently in the Appalachian mountains came from the Scottish Highlands and were seeking religious and other freedoms. “The Thistle and the Brier: Historical Links and Cultural Parallels Between Scotland and Appalachia” explores specific links, with special attention to the revivals of folk culture, native languages and dialects in Scotland and Appalachia since the 1970s. Author Richard Blaustein, a professor of sociology and anthropology professor in Tennessee, also covers contemporary Scotland and southern Appalachia cultural movements, including identity politics. Published by McFarland & Company in Jefferson. Softcover, 182 pages, $30. Visit www.mcfarlandpub.com or call (800) 253-2187. |
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Natural traveling “The Natural Traveler Along North Carolina’s Coast” begins with an overview of the natural history of the state’s coastal plain. It goes on to describe pine savannas, open offshore waters, saltwater marshes and maritime forests in relation to hiking, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, birdwatching and boating. Durham author John Manual provides detailed information about little-known attractions such as Wilmington’s Sepentarium and Topsail Island’s Sea Turtle Center, along with guides to restaurants, museums and lodging. Softcover, 304 pages, 50 b&w photos. $18.95. Published by John F. Blair in Winson-Salem. Call (800) 222-9796 or visit www.blairpub.com. |