Thursday, June 25, 2020
Thursday, May 14, 2020
'Doc' to patrol social distancing at Alcatraz East Crime Museum
In this time of COVID-19, many tourist attractions are going extra lengths to keep the public safe. At the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., there’s a new lawman in town.
“Doc,” an abbreviation for Department of Corrections, will be watching you as you enjoy the museum, barking at those who don’t follow safety protocol.
The museum did a recent survey asking fans about their planned visit when they reopen on May 15 and what they hope to see. When asked: “What could the museum do to make you feel comfortable” the most common answers were “Additional cleaning and spatial distancing.”
Museum changes will include reduced hours and capacity, heightening cleaning efforts, spatial distancing protocols, employee health screening and employee PPE. Guests are encouraged to review all safety rules prior to their visit on the museum web page devoted to COVID-19. You can read it here.
While visiting the museum this summer, guests can enjoy these temporary exhibits:
Alcatraz Art Escape – Extended through July 5, 2020, the Alcatraz Art Escape features artwork by incarcerated artists that tell the story of Alcatraz Penitentiary. This temporary exhibit is made possible through a collaboration with the organization Prison Arts Touching Hearts.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – Opens in July 2020. In partnership with TBI, this exhibit showcases the important work done on a daily basis, sharing information about some of the most famous cases the bureau has investigated.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum has a panel of experts who make up the Advisory Board, including those in law enforcement, collectors, a medical examiner, crime scene investigators, and others. The board includes Jim Willett, a retired prison warden; Anthony Rivera, a combat veteran and Navy SEAL chief; and Judge Belvin Perry Jr., who is best known for the Casey Anthony trial. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.alcatrazeast.com. Check out our traveling safe page with more safety tips and information: www.crimemuseum.org/help-the-missing/missing-persons/.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
My dog made me do it
Steve Sheridan of St. Louis discovered Port St. Joe and its peninsula Cape San Blas when searching the internet for dog-friendly beaches. Dogs are welcome everywhere in this Panhandle region of Florida, not to mention that the beaches and surrounding forest, lakes and streams are pristine and beautiful.
Sheridan and Ben headed south to the Gulf side of Florida and their life changed.
"He goes everywhere with me," Sheridan said. "He's my co-pilot."
Sheridan worked as a self-employed mechanical engineer so when his wife took a job in Port St. Joe, the move was seamless. But Sheridan wanted to do something different, plus he found the culinary scene on the peninsula lacking. He first opened a food truck, then a restaurant. Today, Peachy's Beach Eats serves grouper sandwiches, nachos, pulled pork and tacos.
Sheridan doesn't take credit cards, however. Diners fill out a form and leave the cash on the counter. If you don't have exact money, take your change from the container.
"I wanted to do something a little different," he said.
Some people are shy about sticking their fingers in the "Change Box" but they get used to it, Sheridan said.
And, of course, Ben hangs out at Peachy's He's almost 13 and half blind but he's as much a part of the ambiance as the upside down beach chairs hanging from the ceiling. And yes, that's me having fun with my iPhone.
Check out Peachy's and be sure to sample the fish and shrimp tacos, a delicious blend of spicy slaw and delicately prepared seafood. Peachy's will also be part of Gulf County Taco Week May 2-8, 2020, in Port St. Joe, where participating restaurants will offer $5 taco specials and chances to win prizes.
Weird, Wacky and Wild South is written by Chere Coen who loves unique restaurants, great tacos and sweet dogs.
Sheridan and Ben headed south to the Gulf side of Florida and their life changed.
"He goes everywhere with me," Sheridan said. "He's my co-pilot."
Sheridan worked as a self-employed mechanical engineer so when his wife took a job in Port St. Joe, the move was seamless. But Sheridan wanted to do something different, plus he found the culinary scene on the peninsula lacking. He first opened a food truck, then a restaurant. Today, Peachy's Beach Eats serves grouper sandwiches, nachos, pulled pork and tacos.
Sheridan doesn't take credit cards, however. Diners fill out a form and leave the cash on the counter. If you don't have exact money, take your change from the container.
"I wanted to do something a little different," he said.
Some people are shy about sticking their fingers in the "Change Box" but they get used to it, Sheridan said.
And, of course, Ben hangs out at Peachy's He's almost 13 and half blind but he's as much a part of the ambiance as the upside down beach chairs hanging from the ceiling. And yes, that's me having fun with my iPhone.
Check out Peachy's and be sure to sample the fish and shrimp tacos, a delicious blend of spicy slaw and delicately prepared seafood. Peachy's will also be part of Gulf County Taco Week May 2-8, 2020, in Port St. Joe, where participating restaurants will offer $5 taco specials and chances to win prizes.
Weird, Wacky and Wild South is written by Chere Coen who loves unique restaurants, great tacos and sweet dogs.
Friday, January 3, 2020
Pour your own pancakes at Old Spanish Sugar Mill
They don't just serve great pancakes at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House at DeLeon Springs State Park in central Florida, they make you do it yourself. But that's part of the fun.
The mill dates back to the early 1800s when the first structure was built near the springs to crush sugar cane. The mill was destroyed during the Second Seminole War of 1835 and again during the American Civil War but rebuilt around 1900. Peter Schwarze saved the building from destruction in 1961, once again grinding flour utilizing the springs and serving the finished product in a home-style restaurant. The family continues the tradition today.
Customers sit at tables with griddles in the middle and are served two different types of pancake batter made from stone-ground grains. One pitcher contains "early American" batter consisting of unbleached white flour and the other, a homemade mix of buckwheat, rice, rye, corn and whole wheat flour. After the waiter/waitress instructs diners on how to operate the griddle, the final product is up to them. Diners can make plain pancakes or add ingredients such as banana slices, blueberries, chocolate chips or real peanut butter, among many others. Once the pancake begins to bubble, diners must flip them, let them become nice and crispy, then enjoy, topped with real maple syrup, local honey or a flavored syrup.
Pancakes aren't your thing? Those griddles can also be used for cooking eggs and French toast. Meat is prepared in the kitchen and delivered to the table. And for those with gluten intolerances, vegan pancakes are available.
I have to admit, it was pretty darn fun pouring our own pancakes and the blueberries we ordered made for some nice happy faces.
DeLeon Springs State Park in DeLeon Springs of West Volusia County, Florida, centers around a springs that delivers crystal clear waters at 72 degrees year round and manatees that love to visit in the winter. No one knows if explorer Ponce De Leon visited the springs or if they were indeed the Fountain of Youth but the Timucuan Native Americans lived here and called the springs Acuera or "Healing Waters." Naturalist John James Audubon visited the springs in 1831 and a resort existed by its shores for many years. Today, in addition to pancakes, visitors can enjoy swimming, boat tours and hiking.
Want to see how it's done? Check out Georgia Turner, the executive director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority, showing me how to pour pancakes here.
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| Our waiter Jones bringing us the batter. |
Customers sit at tables with griddles in the middle and are served two different types of pancake batter made from stone-ground grains. One pitcher contains "early American" batter consisting of unbleached white flour and the other, a homemade mix of buckwheat, rice, rye, corn and whole wheat flour. After the waiter/waitress instructs diners on how to operate the griddle, the final product is up to them. Diners can make plain pancakes or add ingredients such as banana slices, blueberries, chocolate chips or real peanut butter, among many others. Once the pancake begins to bubble, diners must flip them, let them become nice and crispy, then enjoy, topped with real maple syrup, local honey or a flavored syrup.Pancakes aren't your thing? Those griddles can also be used for cooking eggs and French toast. Meat is prepared in the kitchen and delivered to the table. And for those with gluten intolerances, vegan pancakes are available.
I have to admit, it was pretty darn fun pouring our own pancakes and the blueberries we ordered made for some nice happy faces.
DeLeon Springs State Park in DeLeon Springs of West Volusia County, Florida, centers around a springs that delivers crystal clear waters at 72 degrees year round and manatees that love to visit in the winter. No one knows if explorer Ponce De Leon visited the springs or if they were indeed the Fountain of Youth but the Timucuan Native Americans lived here and called the springs Acuera or "Healing Waters." Naturalist John James Audubon visited the springs in 1831 and a resort existed by its shores for many years. Today, in addition to pancakes, visitors can enjoy swimming, boat tours and hiking.
Want to see how it's done? Check out Georgia Turner, the executive director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority, showing me how to pour pancakes here.
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