Southwest of Charlotte is a beautiful, thriving town called Belmont. Located along the Catawba River, the area came to life in 1871 when the railroad was built. Originally called Garibaldi Station, it continued to grow as land nearby was donated to the Benedictine Monks and in 1876 they founded Belmont Abbey College. Incorporated in 1895, Belmont's … Continue reading Belmont, North Carolina
Travel
What Traveling Has Taught Me
By Joanna Grey Talbot This gigantic, magnificent, overwhelming world is full of wonder and beauty and mystery and I will never be able to see it all. Yet, that will not deter me from trying my hardest to do so. Traveling has taught me so much about myself, the people around me, and the world … Continue reading What Traveling Has Taught Me
Charlotte Hawkins Brown
By Joanna Grey Talbot Sometimes those who make the greatest impact are the ones who work passionately and quietly behind the scenes, not seeking fame or fortune. They seek the limelight only when absolutely necessary to champion the cause they believe in, not to bring themselves recognition. Charlotte Hawkins Brown was one such person. She … Continue reading Charlotte Hawkins Brown
From England to Badin: An Adventure on Ice Skates
By Joanna Grey Talbot There are so many fascinating stories in this world if you take the time to sit and listen. The best part is finding those stories in unexpected places. Badin, North Carolina, is a small town about an hour east of Charlotte that was created in 1913 by a French company looking … Continue reading From England to Badin: An Adventure on Ice Skates
2016: A Year of “Wait. What?”
By Joanna Grey Talbot Whatta year. I have had years that were so bland and "normal" that I barely noticed they happened except for the change of the date on the calendar. Then comes along a year, like 2016, where so many big moments happened that it is still hard to fully comprehend them. This year brought changes … Continue reading 2016: A Year of “Wait. What?”
Trees of Christmases Past
By Joanna Grey Talbot Judging by my last post I am slightly obsessed with REAL, LIVE Christmas trees - not the plastic ones that you have to assemble. Why get a candle that smells like a Fraser Fir when I could just get a real Fraser Fir. Completely logical to me. Yet, a few times … Continue reading Trees of Christmases Past
Christmas Traditions
By Joanna Grey Talbot Tradition: "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice." Every culture has its traditions, each unique and special, and are one of the things that define that culture. Although the nature of tradition is that it stays the same … Continue reading Christmas Traditions
Southern Christmas Show
By Joanna Grey Talbot There are so many wonderful Christmas traditions around the world from the European Christmas Markets to Advent to the many varieties of Santa Claus. Yet for me, one of the most magical will always be the Southern Christmas Show. Held every year at The Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte, … Continue reading Southern Christmas Show
First Anniversary Travels
By Joanna Grey Talbot Hard to believe it has already come and gone but my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary last weekend. It has been a year filled with ups and downs, a move to North Carolina, and so many adventures! To celebrate we escaped to our favorite place - the mountains. Although … Continue reading First Anniversary Travels
Morganton, North Carolina
By Joanna Grey Talbot My favorite benefit to being a freelance writer is that anytime my husband has to work out of town I can easily go with him. It always means I have to go exploring by myself while he works but it gives me time to go at my own pace and pick … Continue reading Morganton, North Carolina
New Stories From Old Towns 