July 20, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff
Frank keeps his eye on the boat in the harbor in Wanchese, Roanoke Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina.
20090720 sdosm Frank keeps his eye on the boat in Wanchese harbor
Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies - www.kevindayhoff.net - Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain. The mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist: National and International politics. For community see www.kevindayhoff.org. For art, writing and travel see www.kevindayhoff.com
Note: This column first appeared in the Westminster Eagle on August 1st, 2007. Since it ran I have had several requests for copies… This is a longer version of that column. It is cross posted on my Westminster Eagle blog. "The Winchester Report":
Winchester Report: Song of the South: No grits, no glory
(Also see: “20070802 Welcome to the Outer Banks Grits Grill”)
Please enjoy.
08/01/07 – September 5th, 2007 By Kevin E. Dayhoff
Recently, my family ventured on our annual sojourn south. It's a combination family reunion and vacation, as folks rendezvous from literally all over the world to a house with its very own ZIP code in Nags Head, N.C.
Many are aware of
But of course, the real reason I like to go is to watch the Tour de France and the readily-available access to the most northern reaches of the "Georgia Ice Cream" belt ... which runs from
What's that, you ask? What is "Georgia Ice Cream?" Honey child, I am so glad you asked. It's perhaps the most misunderstood of Southern delicacies: grits.
Many folks from
Indeed, the state of
You may very well consider standing, placing your hand on your heart, and re-reading the previous sentence.
In the past, northerners have come up with many well-documented ways of annoying southerners. Lengthy historic and economic dissertations will give the uninformed a certain insight that disagreements over the manufacture and distribution of grits could be considered one of the causes of the “War of Northern Aggression.”
But one of the best sure-fire ways of having “
In 1952, the Charleston News and Courier proclaimed that grits, "an inexpensive, simple and thoroughly digestible food, should be made popular throughout the world. Given enough of it, the inhabitants of planet Earth would have nothing to fight about. A man full of (grits) is a man of peace."
The singular noun, "grits" has its roots from the Old English word, "grytta" meaning a coarse meal of any kind.
Native Americans introduced ground maize -- grits -- to the early English settlers many hundreds of years ago when the colonists were illegal aliens and did not speak the language of the land.
Outside the South, folks attempt to make the word "grits" plural. Not so. Consider the word, spaghetti, which is considered to be plural in form but takes a singular verb. (One does not, for example, write "spaghetti are.") Anytime you hear "grits are good," that is a sure-fire sign you're dealing with a Yankee who is not properly schooled in the fine art of grits.
According to one of my holiest Outer Banks destinations, the Grits Grill: "There are two basic types: corn grits and hominy grits. Corn grits (is) made from dried, milled corn kernels. Hominy grits (is) made by soaking corn in lye water for several days and then dried."
Of course, it's worth mentioning that the Grits Grill also serves another Southern delicacy, Krispy Kreme Donuts.
Many folks consider grits to be solely a breakfast food. Wrong. Grits is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In the traditional South, grits automatically comes with breakfast. Once while traveling in the South, I specifically asked for an order of grits. The waitress glanced at me sideways and chewed her gum at a faster pace as she decreed, "Honey, grits just comes."
Many folks simply eat grits with a touch of salt and butter. Of course the real grits aficionado eats 'em smothered with bacon grease with their pinkie finger extended. I like grits mixed lightly ... with steak and eggs over-light. Please consult your cardiologist for additional consumption instructions.
As you can now easily understand, in a world pre-occupied with conflict and environmental perils, if more grits were served at mealtime, this food of love and peace could very well save the planet.
The
The Maryland General Assembly might consider going one-step further than
No grits, no glory.
Have you ever heard of folks arguing while sharing a meal of grits? I rest my case. At the Westminster Eagle, all we are saying is:
Give grits a chance.
E-mail him at kdayhoff AT carr DOT org or kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com
His columns appear in The Tentacle, http://www.thetentacle.com/;
Thank Goodness it’s Friday, August 10, 2007
I was amused when I noticed this video (see below) on YouTube.
My relationship with my refrigerator is special.
Posted above is a picture of my refrigerator when I was in
Here is a picture of me worshiping the refrigerator a number of years ago in Nags Head, the Outer Banks in
So what is in your refrigerator?
Carrie Ann Knauer, the Rachael Ray of
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August 2nd, 2007
This is the “Grits Grill” I mentioned in my column published on August 1st, 2007 in the Westminster Eagle, “Song of the South: No grits, no glory.”
Mrs. Owl and I thoroughly enjoyed our grits-experience. The service was friendly and we enjoyed talking with our server. On one visit we talked with owner who beamed with pride about his food, the service, his restaurant and his grits – which I might add, were great.
Below is from the Grits Grill web site. The next time you are on the Outer Banks in
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Grits Grill
Nags Head, NC | Phone:252-449-2888 | Fax: 252-480-6302
Welcome to the Outer Banks Grits Grill, a great place to meet & eat! Grits Grill has been a locals favorite for breakfast and lunch for many years. Located in the Outer Banks Mall in Nags Head, Grits Grill serves Krispy Kreme Doughnuts starting at 6:30 am, as well as hotcakes, steak & eggs, omelettes, various fresh egg dishes, classic southern favorites, great soups, salads, sandwiches and of course grits!
What are grits? Grits are tiny broken grains of corn, first produced by Native Americans centuries ago. There are two basic types, corn grits and hominy grits. Corn grits are made from dried, milled corn kernels. Hominy grits are made by soaking corn in lye water for several days and then dried. Come to Grits Grill and try them, we make the best!
Here are some of our specialties: Krispy Kreme Donuts fresh daily at 6:30 am, Newspapers from around the region, specialty coffees, breakfast served anytime, big orders not a problem, to go orders anytime, juice, milk, bottled drinks & water for easy take out, donuts & sandwiches available for business meetings.
We also have a wonderful gift shop featuring many wonderful Outer Banks souvenirs, click the map/gallery button above to see a sampling.
Take some Krispy Kreme doughnuts to go! Bring the family enjoy a great breakfast, or for lunch have a great fresh ground chuck Cheeseburger, a Philly Cheesesteak, a homemade Crabcake sandwich, a classic Reuben or one of our many other specialties and take home some souvenirs when you're done. Grits Grill, "Simply Southern".
On Saturdays from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon bring the family and come see "Steve The Dream" he will entertain you no matter your age. From Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Check out our additional listing in: Breakfast
Location & Views: Located In The Outer Banks Mall
Operation & Hours: Open All Year, Open 7 Days, Service Hours: (6:00 am Until 3:00 pm Every Day)
Payment Options & Additional Services: American Express, Discover, Visa, Mastercard, Travelers Checks Accepted, Gift Certificates, Gift Shipping
Dress Code: Coastal Casual
Family Considerations: High Chairs, Booster Seats, Children's Menu
Considerations for the Handicapped: Handicapped Accessible Facility (Yes), Handicap Accessible Restrooms (Yes), Wheelchair Accessible, Seeing Eye Dogs Allowed
Restroom Facilities: Restrooms Are For Patrons Only
Parking Information: Lighted (Yes), Parking Spaces (70+), Handicap Parking Available (Yes), Free Parking Available, Paved Parking Lot, Bus & Oversized Parking, Vehicle & Trailer Parking
Alcohol Policies & Information: No Alcohol
Smoking Policies: Non-Smoking Section, Smoking Section, Smoking At Bar Allowed
Security & Safety: Surveillance Camera(s), Parking Lot Patrol, Smoke Detection System, Fire Sprinkler System (Yes)
Restaurant & Food Information: Chef's Specials, Gift Shop (see sections below)
Breakfast: Entree: Average Price Range ($0-6) , Breakfast Hours Text : (6:00 am - 3:00 pm) , Take Out Available
Lunch: Entree:
Souvenirs & Logo-ed Merchandise: Beverage Coolers & Huggies, Hats, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts
Gift Shop Merchandise Types: Gifts & Souvenirs, Novelty & Toys
Entertainment: Occasional Live Entertainment
Biscuits Available: Plain Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits, Sausage Biscuits, Egg Biscuits, Ham Biscuits, Biscuits With Sausage Gravy
Breakfast Items: Bacon, Corned Beef Hash, Country Ham, Sausage Gravy, Sausage Patties, Scrambled Eggs, Steak, Pancakes, Cheese Grits, Hash Brown Potatoes
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E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com
His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.
by Kevin Spradlin January 2nd, 2002
WESTMINSTER, Jan. 02 -- City of Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff expressed his condolences for missing some of the recent Westminster Road Runners Club races, but promised he and his wife, Caroline, will be on the running scene soon.
"I guess one might say that I am taking a break from running that is not quite of my choosing," wrote a very busy Mayor on Tuesday in an email to the club. "It has just happened. I'm not necessarily happy about this turn of events -- but it is what it is and I'm going to make like a ball and roll with it."
Many remember the Mayor making an appearance last July at the
"I've taken breaks from running and college before and managed to get back into the groove at a later time," said Mayor Dayhoff, who is close to earning his Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy Administration and Analysis from Western Maryland College. "I guess my attitude is that being the Mayor is something that has a four-year cycle and that this is no rehearsal - I must do it well now. I feel a lot of responsibility."
"My first love is running," he said. "Caroline and I always look forward to the WRRC events, even if we don't run in them and just help out in any way that we can contribute. I'm quite out of shape and to try and run a race these days would not be responsible. I'll run again and I will get my degree."
In the meantime, WRRC members and
"I'm working hard on such things as the Terry Burk Trail - which is happening," said Mayor Dayhoff, "and the
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Last updated: January 02, 2002.