World's Longest Yard Sale comes through Mentone

On Thursday, August 6th, the 22nd Corridor 127 yard sale will begin in Gadsden, travel up Lookout Mountain Parkway through Mentone, head to Chattanooga and end up in Ohio. This 450 mile yard sale is an experience. Everyone comes out and sells their so-called treasures along the route. This sale has been featured on HGTV and in an article by Peter Greenburg http://www.aarpmagazine.org/travel/worlds_longest_yard_sale.html. This is not a sale for the faint hearted, as it is a long journey during a hot time of the year so bring your water, your sunscreen and your patience. Greenburg has some great suggestions on how to enjoy this adventure. More information, such as maps and lodging, about the specifics of the yard sale can be found at www.127sale.com or www.tourdekalb.com.
Come enjoy the yard sale and take in the beauty of Lookout Mountain.

Summertime in Mentone equals Summer Camp Joys!

I love the summer in Mentone, Alabama because that means alot of kids are on the mountain enjoying summer camp. Mentone has the largest concentration of camps in Alabama. At over 10 different camps right now, kids are enjoying activities such as horseback riding, canoeing in Little River, ropes course, archery, riflery, rock climbing, swimming, basketball, slaughterball, bombardi, arts and crafts, nature, flag football and many other activities. If you know anything about kids, you know that being outdoors sparks their creativity and has a calming affect. Time at camp is one of the greatest gifts that a parent can give a child. If you are in doubt about the benefits of being outdoors, read the book called "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv. Sarah has read bits and pieces of it to me and it reminds you of the joy of being outdoors. Being a dog, I didn't have to read a book to know the joys of the outdoors. I had a great hike to DeSoto Falls this morning before breakfast with one of the guests at Mountain Laurel Inn B&B. It was invigorating. Although I love my AC, I do enjoy hiking and walking in the woods. I also get to go to Camp DeSoto in the Spring with Athens Academy and see all the kids having fun. Here are some pictures of Flat Stanley enjoying the Zipline and cooking over a fire at DeSoto. He had to be careful about those hot flames but he loved his first S'more!

For the next several days, we will have guests coming and going from several of the camps as they close one session and open the next. Girls enjoy Camp DeSoto, Camp Skyline, Riverview Camp, Camp Adahi and Camp Juliette Low. Boys have fun at Camp Laney, Camp Alpine, Lookout Mountain Camp for boys and Camp Woodmont. Church groups have a blast at Ponderosa Camp on the brow. Just wish there was a camp for dogs around here. Maybe that will be my next entrepreneurial endeavor.
Time to go rest up before guests start arriving for Camp Alpine's Glee club show this evening.

1913 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost visits Mountain Laurel Inn B&B in Mentone.

Look at this beautiful work of art that spent two nights at Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast. She is a well kept 1913 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce from Pennsylvania. Her wonderful caretaker stayed in Mentone on their journey back from New Orleans headed home to Pennsylvania. She enjoyed all the sights of Mentone and Lookout Mountain before heading north. I had to bark at this true automobile as it arrived because I could not believe cars could be so beautiful. I just wanted the world to notice. I also wanted everyone to take care and not nick it's beautiful coat. Obviously, car design of the early 1900's was a work of art. What fun it would be to drive around in the beauty with me as a passenger. Onlookers would be blinded by the magnificence of us both.

The Beautiful Chimes of St Joseph's on the Mountain are silent in Mentone, Alabama

There are many wonderful sounds on Lookout Mountain throughout the year from birds singing, rivers flowing, snow falling and leaves falling. What is missing right now are the chimes from St. Joseph's Episcopal Church on the mountain. Town square in Mentone comes alive when the chimes ring at noon with hymns and on the hour with appropriate strikes. Repairs are needed to the chimes, so parishioners were out this weekend selling hot dogs and goodies to raise money. Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast contributed Gooey Butter Cake and Chocolate Chip Cake from the B&B's cookbook. Sales were good during the Rhododendron Festival but more funds are needed so be on the lookout for another day of fun.

St. Joseph's on the Mountain has been a place of beauty and worship for Mentone for many years. In the center of St. Joseph’s-on-the-Mountain Church is a log cabin built by Robert Vernon when he was nineteen. His son Simmie, born in the cabin, became an ordained minister and organized a church. The cabin was moved around 1880 to the present location behind the Mentone Inn and across from the Mentone Springs Hotel.

The stained glass window behind the altar was donated by St. Luke’s of Scottsboro. It was hand-painted over a hundred years ago in France. The 19th Century front doors were also a gift from St. Luke’s. The long dark pews inside are from an Episcopal Church in Tuskeegee, Alabama. George Washington Carver had developed the stain and personally did the hand-rubbing. A Methodist Church in Silver Creek, Georgia donated the other century-old pews inside the church.

The church doors are always open. Travelers and tourists are welcome to come in and rest.

Snow in Mentone and Filet and Vine in Montgomery, Alabama

Dear Nora,

Life is crazy in Alabama with 70 degree weather on Sunday, sleet on Monday and snow today. I am so glad the outfit you made for me is perfect for all seasons! Lickety-Split and I have been busy taking care of guests since Thursday. Preparing breakfast for guests is challenging as I cannot get too close to that oven or I might be butter.

This weekend, Sarah had some wonderful guests from Montgomery, Alabama, which is the state capital. I wish I could remember all of the history tidbits we learned this weekend but the 20 degree weather today has frozen my brain. However, Lickety-Split and Sarah visited with Ken and DJ on the guesthouse porch before heading out for a walk the other day. (I stayed behind to write you a letter. Plus, I am so skinny that I don't need to walk to lose weight.) Lickety-split was treated to a taste of cheddar cheese made here in Alabama. I thought Wisconsin had all the cheese heads?! She said the cheese was delicious. Sarah was discussing with Ken different types of wine. He is from the Bottleshoppe at Filet & Vine Market and Deli in Montgomery. Many in Montgomery just call it Derk's. Their selection and knowledge of wine is very impressive. Ken can help you with your wine choices(when you are of age) at wineseller01@charter.net. I went to their website at http://www.filetandvine.com and here is what I discovered and why I hope we will take a road trip south of Mentone.

Filet & Vine Market and Deli began in 1997 with partners
Derk Lyerly and Jud Blount in Old Cloverdale of Montgomery, Alabama. After six months of renovations, we opened our doors to the public in March of 1998. In 1999, we received the Emerging Thirty Award from The Montgomery Chamber of Commerce honoring our start as a new business in Montgomery.

Our Market boasts of fresh produce, gourmet desserts, cheeses, and Filet & Vine products and seasonings. Derk's Dirt, "the original steak rub," is a favorite among the locals. We feature only the best prime and choice cuts of beef, and provide excellent wine selections as well as beer from around the world.

The Deli is full service, offering Boarshead Meats and Bates Turkey for sandwiches or by the pound. Fresh salads, vegetables and a variety of other favorite lunch items are available. We are proud to use only the best ingredients and products in our deli. Our bakery provides fresh breads, muffins and cookies daily. Seating for about forty people is available in a cozy nook of the store.

With over 1,200 different wines in stock, the Bottleshoppe at Filet and Vine is ready to assist you in selecting the perfect bottle of wine. For that special event, or everyday enjoyment, we offer a variety of wines sure to please your palate and budget. For hard to find and specialty wines, be sure to visit our “Grail Room” or ask about our Wine Locator & Special Order Services.

Filet and Vine also offers Estate Wine Valuation Services as well as our Cellar Builder Program for those wishing to start or enhance their collections for investment and/or years of future enjoyment.

On the lighter side, Filet and Vine also offers a unique selection of over 130 different import and domestic beers, ales and ciders.

Come visit or give us a call at 334-262-8463.

Reading about all these fine cuts of meat are making me hungry. Maybe I can get Sarah to take me out to dinner. She sent Ken and DJ to Canyon Grill in Rising Fawn, GA www.canyongrill.com on Sunday night and they said it was fabulous. Oh, it is time for us to head to spin class again so I better say toodles!

Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks.

Your Friend, Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley is in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Nora,

So sorry I haven't written in a couple of days but I was just having a blast at Fort Payne High School It is their Prom this weekend so I have been helping Chloe. On Monday, Sarah brought me to Atlanta for a B&B conference that she is attending. We are staying with Susu and JW. She promises me that she will take me to the Varsity for a chili dog and frosted orange before I leave. I hear that they are your favorites.

Tonight we went out to dinner with Uncle Jack, Susu and JW. You are right, Jack is a terror. He tried to make me toast for dinner(see posted pic). Fortunately, JW saved me.

I see why you love Jw and Susu so much. We had a fun dinner at a new place for them in Virginia Highlands. It is an Italian restaurant called La Travola. You will love it. And there was great shopping all around. We will have to come back when you are in Atlanta next time

I must hit the sack as Sa and I will need to be on Marta early in the morning. She wants to win a prize at this conference.

Talk to you soon.

Love, Stanley

P.S. Send Lickety-Split a note becasue we left her in Mentone, Alabama looking after the bed and breakfast.

Why is Flat Stanley at Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast in Mentone, Alabama?

As some of you know, Flat Stanley arrived from Essex, MA this week to visit Sarah and I at Mountain Laurel Inn. He came from our favorite niece, Nora. Here is the letter that came with Flat Stanley in the mailing tube. I think it will make you smile as much as I did. As you can see from the pics, I was a little aloof at first in meeting Flat Stanley but when I realized that he might be fun to have around, I did warm up to him. He is spending the night with Chloe for a couple of days to discover the life of a Fort Payne High School Student. He will see many of the hot spots in Fort Payne that used to be known as the "Sock Capital of the World". It was the sock capital because over 25% of the world's socks were made in the 200 sock mills in the county. Unfortunately, the work as gone overseas and Fort Payne is down to about 70 sock mills.
To learn about Flat Stanley's heritage see http://www.flatstanley.com

Here's Nora's letter:

Dear Sasa and Licedy,
I hope Licedy doesn't chew this up. In school we read a book about a boy who got flattened by a bulletin board. His name is Flat Stanley. He wanted to go on a trip. So his family folded him up and mailed him to California. I am mailing ny Flat Stanley to you. Please take him somewhere and write back telling me where you went. If you have pictures or postcards please send them too. Please send him back by April 24. Thank you for helping me. I wish I could fold myself up and visit you!
Love, Nora