Breaking News! It's All In The Newseum

By Lynne Brandon

WASHINGTON, DC- The hottest ticket in the nation’s capitol is the Newseum located in the heart of this politically charged city where media and news reign supreme. This is a museum, appropriately named and dedicated to the history of news. You need a ticket for this trip on media lane and it is worth every penny.

A favorite with school-aged children who were gathered in great masses during my visit, adults are equally fascinated with glimpses into history making events as well as the mediums that reported life-altering moments to the world. From the Gutenberg printing press to radio, early TV and up to contemporary phenomena like the Internet and social media, the Newseum traces all the steps that print, radio and broadcast journalists took along the path of news reporting.

Atlanta's Irish Hero

Father Thomas O'Reilly

By Doc Lawrence

Since childhood days, I’ve known about the incident. Every word is true and remains one of the most fascinating stories I know about the Civil War and St. Patrick’s Day.

This wasn’t about battlefield courage, a strategy that resulted in a monumental victory, or a stirring, inspirational speech. No, it was about how an Irish immigrant priest acting alone on behalf of God and innocent civilians, confronted a mighty warrior, faced impending execution squarely in the eye and peacefully won a victory that somehow escaped history books.

A native of County Cavan, Ireland, Thomas O’Reilly, appointed as pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, arrived in Atlanta in 1861. Atlanta was a strategic transportation center for the Confederacy, and in 1864, the Union army, commanded by Gen. William T. Sherman, held Atlanta under siege with intense artillery bombardment. During the horror of Sherman’s extended assault, Father O’Reilly ministered to the wounded and dying of both armies, along with civilian casualties.

The Ava Gardner Museum Turns 30

By Lynne Brandon

SMITHFIELD, NC-The Ava Gardner museum has been likened to Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” for the long winding path that led to its final destination, and current home in Smithfield, North Carolina.

The museum is firmly established in the town’s bustling downtown but it was years in the making. The tribute to North Carolina’s beautiful movie star began more than 20 years ago with a private collection donated by the family of Dr. Tom Banks. Today after several locations, the museum’s final resting spot showcases a collection that begs to be seen: extraordinary costumes, movie posters and awards recalling Ava’s 50-year career as a Hollywood legend.

Williamsburg Winery

Glory of The Grape In Virginia

By Lynne Brandon

Wine is sunlight, held together by water" - Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

Driving down the long dirt road, reminds of the scene in "Letter to Juliet" in which a car in the Italian countryside sashays down a similar dirt road surrounded by grape vines. Instead of Italy, I am driving toward Wessex Hundred, the local name for the 320-acre farm known by visitors as Williamsburg Winery (www.williamsburgywinery.com).

Williamsburg Winery is styled to look like an old-world European village and home to award-winning Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Also, it is home to Virginia’s largest winery, no insignificant feat in a state with more than 190 highly-regarded wineries. Here the summers are warm, but not too hot, and winters are mild- all the ingredients for growing superior grapes to make outstanding wines.

The Ava Gardner Museum Turns 30

By Lynne Brandon

SMITHFIELD, NC-The Ava Gardner museum has been likened to Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” for the long winding path that led to its final destination, and current home in Smithfield, North Carolina.

The museum is firmly established in the town’s bustling downtown but it was years in the making. The tribute to North Carolina’s beautiful movie star began more than 20 years ago with a private collection donated by the family of Dr. Tom Banks. Today after several locations, the museum’s final resting spot showcases a collection that begs to be seen: extraordinary costumes, movie posters and awards recalling Ava’s 50-year career as a Hollywood legend.

View From the Willard

By Lynne Brandon

It stands majestically on Pennsylvania Avenue and dominates the landscape with its elegant stone facade imposing alongside some of America’s most historic monuments. Inside the iconic Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. words were coined, drinks first stirred and national treasures first written about. Every living president since Zachary Taylor has placed his mark on the palatial quarters as a guest or by attending a social event, leaving an imprimatur on this national treasure.

The imposing 12-story structure is connected to all that makes Washington tick with easy accessibility to the White House, Treasury, Newspaper Row, the Capitol and other significant monuments. When the hotel was revamped in 1925, it was considered Washington’s first skyscraper.