Latest news with #BlueRidge
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lowcountry playwright prepares for New York debut of her latest production
NEW YORK, N.Y. (WSAV) — When Abby Rosebrock was growing up in South Carolina, she had no idea how her formative years would impact her work as a playwright. 'I when I first started writing plays, I think I tried to write stories that felt more immediate to my experience. So I was writing about, like, actors in Brooklyn, but I soon figured out that the place that I know best, even though I haven't lived there in 20 years, is definitely the Southeast.' Now a New Yorker with several stage productions under her belt, she often returns to her southern roots for inspiration. One of her earliest plays, 'Blue Ridge,' is set at a halfway house in the Appalachian Mountains. The dialog, while pointed and direct, is written on the page to reflect the easy way Southerns speak. But make no mistake: Rosebrock's protagonists and antagonists are not simple southern caricatures. Especially the women. Rosebrock is an actor as well as a writer. When she began writing plays, she discovered her female characters were often forces to be reckoned with. 'That's how I started. I really just wanted better material to perform in scene study classes. Dialog just sort of comes naturally to me. It's sort of how I make sense of the world. I come from a family of very talkative women so I'm sort of obsessed with human speech and the poetry of the way people talk to each other day to day.' Rosebrock has a fondness for her male characters as well. 'I'd like to think my male characters, especially in more recent years, are a little more rounded than maybe they used to be. Theater is where human beings can sort of work out their demons and in community with other human beings. And that's what's fun and exciting about it.' The visceral response theater gives an audience is important to her too. 'I think we spend most of our days hiding from each other, especially in workplace settings. Americans work way too much and expect way too much of themselves in service of terrible corporations. And in order to fit into that structure, we're just constantly suppressing what's truest and most authentic about our experiences. With live theater, when you throw hundreds of people into a room to watch other human beings behaving authentically, people are sort of reminded of what life could be like if we weren't so enslaved to the systems that run most of our lives.' Rosebrock's newest play, 'Lowcountry,' will make its world premiere in New York this month. It centers around an out-of-work actress who returns to her rural hometown and makes a tenuous connection with a disgraced high school teacher. It shines a light on how people connect in the digital age. 'I wrote it after the pandemic, after I'd spent a really long time, more or less alone in my apartment. But I think I was coming out of a time that felt very sterile and hopeless and devoid of resources.' Photo gallery: rehearsals for Abby Rosebrock's newest play, Lowcountry, at The Atlantic Theater in New York. 'A really great thing about working on a brand-new play that's never been performed before is it's extremely collaborative. So your words are being shaped not just by your own instincts, but by actors who are telling you, 'I don't feel truthful when I'm saying this line' or 'I feel like my character might be dealing with this other thing that's not even being acknowledged right now.' And then you have a director who's guiding that entire process and sort of moderating conversations, not just with actors, but with the designers too. So it just feels like the most exciting thing in the world to have world-class actors weighing in on your script as it's sort of taking its initial shape.' 'Lowcountry' is Rosebrock's second work that has debuted at The Atlantic Theater Company. Founded by an ensemble of artists in 1965, it is known for fostering upcoming talent both on the stage and behind the scenes. 'It's a dream. It's definitely my artistic home and I feel totally overcome with emotion every time I come here to work because the energy is so special. The artistic director of the Atlantic has really believed in me and championed my work for several years now, and the first play I did here, 'Blue Ridge,' was just a wonderful experience from start to finish. It happened right after Covid and I wondered, 'Will I ever experience something that great again?'' She says The Atlantic is a space to experiment, 'to have bad ideas and to try your wildest visions to see if they work and get eyes on it from some of the best people in the business.' 'Lowcountry,' Abby Rosebrock's latest work, premieres at The Atlantic Theater in New York on June 5. It runs through July 13. Get your tickets here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
8 U-Pick Farms In The South For A Sweet Summer Outing
For Southerners, fresh fruit is best enjoyed outdoors with grass under our bare feet and sunlight overhead. It's easy enough to grab a container from the air-conditioned grocery store, but there's something far more rewarding about picking it yourself. Whether it's biting into a juicy peach or balancing a slice of watermelon bigger than your plate, the experience can transport you back to childhood. If you're looking to spend a day under open skies, with stained fingertips and the scent of ripening fruit in the air, these eight farms offer just that—plus beautiful views and memories worth savoring. Blue Ridge, Georgia Surrounded by mountain views in beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia, this four-generation, family-owned orchard has been a local treasure since 1943. Mercier is best known for its 50-plus varieties of apples—but fruit picking stretches nearly year-round. Late spring kicks off with the Blueberry U-pick, inviting guests to gather bright, sun-ripened berries destined for jams, cobblers, or straight-from-the-bucket snacking. By August, guests can pick the coveted apples. Both experiences begin with a scenic tractor ride through the fields, but you haven't seen it all until you've visited the on-site market and bakery, where fried pies, apple fritters, and more are all made with the farm's bounty. 8660 Blue Ridge Dr, Blue Ridge, GA 30513; 706-632-3411 Explore Blue Ridge Tuskegee, Alabama This 46-acre plot is home to four acres of specialty crops and 40 acres of mixed hardwoods and pines, but it's the two-acre blueberry patch—lovingly tended by Josie Gbadamosi—that turns this place into a beloved summer ritual. Each summer, the gates of Shady Grove Road Blueberry Patch swing open, inviting neighbors and travelers to grab a bucket, brave the sun, and gather ripe, plump berries straight from the bush. Make the most of your visit by planning around the farm's biannual Rhythm and Blueberry Festival, a two-day celebration packed with live music, arts, horse rides, food demos, giveaways, and a bustling farmers market. 690 Co Rd 81, Tuskegee, AL 36083; 334-521-6006 Hendersonville, NC It's not every day that you get to pick your own thornless Navaho blackberries, but this family-run orchard in Hendersonville invites you to do just that starting in early July. (Exact ripening dates depend on the weather, so be sure to check the schedule.) Pick blackberries and select varieties of apples, then celebrate your hard work by unwinding at the on-site Taproom, where you can sip on house-made hard ciders, local beers on tap, and regional wines. For the kiddos—or anyone with a sweet tooth—stop by the bakery for fried apple pies, cider donuts, and more seasonal treats. 187 Garren Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792; 828-974-1232 Explore Hendersonville Lucedale and Wiggins, Mississippi Fruit picking gets all the love, but vegetable picking is just as fun. What began with a single newspaper ad—'Pick Your Own Tomatoes, $5 Bucket'—has grown into a beloved summer tradition across southern Mississippi. At Charlie's U-Pik, now run by the children and grandchildren of founder Charlie Eubanks, families can snag watermelons and warm-weather vegetables like tomatoes, peas, peppers, sweet corn, and the list goes on. The farm's two locations in Lucedale and Wiggins offer a no-frills, deeply rewarding kind of harvest. Produce is charged by the five-gallon bucket (bring your own), so it's easy to load up and linger. 257 Charlies Ln, Lucedale, MS 39452; 3787 MS-26, Wiggins, MS 39577; 601-530-0548 Crozet, Virginia As you drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this farm near downtown Crozet is the perfect roadside stop for fresh fruit mountain views. From blackberries to blueberries to peaches, the property is bountiful in the summertime. Visitors pre-pay by container size, with at least one container required for every two to three people. After your time in the fields, head to the farm market and bakery for creamy soft-serve ice cream. Order a waffle cone outside or enjoy a milkshake inside the 'Clubhouse,' and don't forget to try their homemade hot fudge and fresh cider donuts, both local favorites. Related: 15 Must-Visit Vineyards In Virginia For Wine Enthusiasts Long Creek, South Carolina Set on 200 acres in the Blue Ridge foothills, Chattooga Belle Farm doubles as a lively event space, known for everything from sunset dinners and outdoor weddings to whiskey tastings at its on-site distillery. There's plenty of room to roam, with wide-open views and U-pick fields that shift with the season—blueberries ripen in June and July, followed by early apples in August. As summer winds down, you'll find more unexpected treasures, like crisp Asian pears and sweet Brown Turkey figs. 454 Damascus Church Rd, Long Creek, SC 29658; 864-647-9768 Enigma, Georgia Summer's at its sweetest when the blackberry brambles are full and the muscadine grapes are just starting to blush at this family-run U-pick farm. Blackberries are typically ready from May through mid-July, with muscadines following from July into September. Pick by the quart or the gallon (containers are provided) and when you're done, cool off with a scoop of homemade ice cream or a brightly colored slushie, both made with the farm's Georgia-grown produce. 3131 Vickers Church Rd, Enigma, GA 31749; 229-533-4314 York, South Carolina This family-owned farm in the heart of South Carolina's Piedmont has been growing peaches for more than a century. July is prime time for picking the Southern stone fruit, but early June offers the last of the season's bright-red strawberries. After your harvest, stick around for lunch at the farm café, where meals are made with fresh produce and grass-fed beef. For dessert, there's house-made ice cream, and the farm store is stocked with honey, jams, jellies, and pantry favorites sourced from across the region. 1800 Black Hwy, York, SC 29745; 803-684-2333 Read the original article on Southern Living
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Travel + Leisure
22-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Resort in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains Just Opened 39 Chic Reimagined Cottages—Take a First Look Inside
Barnsley Resort in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains has unveiled the new look of its 39 cottages, revamped by North Carolina-based interior designer Charlotte Lucas. Lucas drew design cues from the Blue Ridge Mountains and infused the spaces with nature-inspired references and bold details, such as vibrant wallpapers, patterned rugs, and accent murals. The redesign of the cottages, which range from one-bedroom suites to seven-bedroom residences, is part of an ongoing resort-wide renovation that will also feature a new beer garden and six new pickleball courts. Barnsley Resort in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains has welcomed guests since the 1990s, and this spring, the 3,000-acre getaway unveiled the first stage of a resort-wide overhaul—a $6.2 million reimagining of the 39 standalone cottages peppered throughout the grounds. Overseen by North Carolina-based interior designer Charlotte Lucas, the newly designed accommodations, ranging from one-bedroom suites to seven-bedroom residences that sleep up to fourteen people, feature varying floor plans and décor to match guests' needs. Renowned for her use of color and playful, layered whimsy, Lucas overhauled the formerly traditional spaces, heavy on wood and dark textiles, with a palette of colors inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains. "I really wanted the rooms to feel connected to the outdoors, like you're wrapped in the beauty of the Blue Ridge without leaving your seat," she told Travel +Leisure . Lucas added in layers of textiles and wallpapers that played off southern motifs of hunting dogs and local wildflowers. Accent mural walls evocative of Barnsley's pine forests, patterned rugs, contemporary rattan and mixed-metal decor pieces, and vintage-inspired lighting infuse the spaces with character. Additionally, all 39 cottages received an exterior facelift, with new color schemes inspired by the surroundings. The living room of the two-bedroom Red House, one of the charming estate cottages recently reimagined by Charlotte Lucas Design. The accommodation overhaul is just one part of an ongoing resort-wide renovation that will be rolled out over the coming months. Other new additions in this phase include a new pet-friendly beer garden with a hand-hewn sycamore bar and six new pickleball courts. Later in the year, guests can look forward to a new pool and the redesign of Barnsley's signature restaurant, located in a former 18th-century farmhouse. The picturesque mountain retreat offers classic activities like tennis, swimming, archery, horseback riding, mountain biking, golf, and a well-loved Fourth of July celebration. Nightly rates at Barnsley Resort start from $359, and you can book your stay at
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Map Shows US Command Ship in Pacific Amid China Navy Challenge
A Newsweek map tracks the movement of the oldest operational United States naval ship in the South Pacific Ocean, where Chinese warships recently conducted a show of force. USS Blue Ridge, a U.S. Navy command and control ship and the flagship of the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet, conducts patrols to deter aggression, the ship's public affairs office said. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. China is seeking to challenge U.S. naval dominance in the Pacific Ocean with its rapidly expanding navy-the largest in the world by hull count. From mid-February to early March, it sent a three-ship naval task group to the South Pacific Ocean to circumnavigate Australia. The Chinese navy also visited Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, last October, as Beijing and its rival, Washington, continue to jostle for influence in the region. Commissioned in 1970, the Blue Ridge is one of several U.S. naval vessels-including an aircraft carrier-deployed in Japan. It is equipped with high-powered computers for processing information and data, providing command and control coordination capabilities. The Blue Ridge was spotted off its home port of Yokosuka naval base in Japan on April 3. Its first port of call after leaving Japan was Cairns in northeastern Australia, where it stayed from April 16 to 20 to replenish fuel and supplies for its patrol in the Indo-Pacific region. Following its stop in Australia, the command ship transited eastward to New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific Ocean. It visited Nouméa-the territory's capital city-from April 26 to May 1, aiming to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and France. After leaving port, the Blue Ridge participated in a French-led military exercise, code-named Croix du Sud, in the Coral Sea near the French territory. The multinational drill featured surface action group operations, command and control capabilities, and information sharing. The Blue Ridge continued eastward and reached Suva in Fiji on May 5, making its third port call during the patrol. The visit-concluded on May 9-demonstrated the role of the U.S.-Fiji partnership in fostering peace and security, according to the ship's public affairs office. The nearly 19,000-ton ship headed south after departing Fiji and made its first visit to New Zealand on Friday, docking in Wellington. Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, head of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said the "historic port visit" reflected the deep ties between the two countries. The U.S. Seventh Fleet said: "U.S. [Seventh] Fleet staff, embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge, [command] the world's largest forward-deployed fleet with the primary mission of providing operational control and planning for its forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with allies and partners." U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said: "The U.S. and France are Pacific nations, and our navies routinely operate together to preserve a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific…The U.S. [Seventh] Fleet's participation in Croix du Sud is testament to our longstanding alliance with France and our shared commitment to advancing our combined warfighting capabilities in this theater." It remains to be seen where the Blue Ridge will make its next stop during its patrol, which aims to strengthen alliances and partnerships and advance operational effectiveness. Related Articles Iran's Supreme Leader Speaks Out on Nuclear Deal With TrumpFrontline US Aircraft Carrier Near China Prepares for Military ActionUS and Iran Clash Over Nuclear Red LinesPhotos Show US Coast Guard Ship Deployed to Contested Waters Near China 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Map Shows US Command Ship in Pacific Amid China Navy Challenge
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Newsweek map tracks the movement of the oldest operational United States naval ship in the South Pacific Ocean, where Chinese warships recently conducted a show of force. USS Blue Ridge, a U.S. Navy command and control ship and the flagship of the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet, conducts patrols to deter aggression, the ship's public affairs office said. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters China is seeking to challenge U.S. naval dominance in the Pacific Ocean with its rapidly expanding navy—the largest in the world by hull count. From mid-February to early March, it sent a three-ship naval task group to the South Pacific Ocean to circumnavigate Australia. The Chinese navy also visited Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, last October, as Beijing and its rival, Washington, continue to jostle for influence in the region. Commissioned in 1970, the Blue Ridge is one of several U.S. naval vessels—including an aircraft carrier—deployed in Japan. It is equipped with high-powered computers for processing information and data, providing command and control coordination capabilities. What To Know The Blue Ridge was spotted off its home port of Yokosuka naval base in Japan on April 3. Its first port of call after leaving Japan was Cairns in northeastern Australia, where it stayed from April 16 to 20 to replenish fuel and supplies for its patrol in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States command and control ship USS Blue Ridge transits the Coral Sea prior to a port visit to Cairns in Australia on April 16, 2025. The United States command and control ship USS Blue Ridge transits the Coral Sea prior to a port visit to Cairns in Australia on April 16, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Damian Cook/U.S. Navy Following its stop in Australia, the command ship transited eastward to New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific Ocean. It visited Nouméa—the territory's capital city—from April 26 to May 1, aiming to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and France. After leaving port, the Blue Ridge participated in a French-led military exercise, code-named Croix du Sud, in the Coral Sea near the French territory. The multinational drill featured surface action group operations, command and control capabilities, and information sharing. The Blue Ridge continued eastward and reached Suva in Fiji on May 5, making its third port call during the patrol. The visit—concluded on May 9—demonstrated the role of the U.S.-Fiji partnership in fostering peace and security, according to the ship's public affairs office. The nearly 19,000-ton ship headed south after departing Fiji and made its first visit to New Zealand on Friday, docking in Wellington. Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, head of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said the "historic port visit" reflected the deep ties between the two countries. What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet said: "U.S. [Seventh] Fleet staff, embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge, [command] the world's largest forward-deployed fleet with the primary mission of providing operational control and planning for its forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with allies and partners." U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said: "The U.S. and France are Pacific nations, and our navies routinely operate together to preserve a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific…The U.S. [Seventh] Fleet's participation in Croix du Sud is testament to our longstanding alliance with France and our shared commitment to advancing our combined warfighting capabilities in this theater." What Happens Next It remains to be seen where the Blue Ridge will make its next stop during its patrol, which aims to strengthen alliances and partnerships and advance operational effectiveness.
