One week to Elsinore

The set as seen from the right wing during tech week. The scrim's weighted bottom flies into a 5" gap in the stage floor. A cyclorama is hung behind the set. (Click images for larger versions in new window.) — The set as seen from the right wing during tech week. The scrim’s weighted bottom flies into a 5″ gap in the stage floor. A cyclorama is hung behind the set. (Click images for larger versions in new window.)

For two years, I’ve thought of the town of Southern Pines, situated 27-miles south of Sanford on Highway 1, as the location of the nearest Panera bakery. But today I explored beyond the Panera and was surprised to find a downtown similar to Tryon or Saluda in its coziness and the “gentrified bohemian” tone of its shops and restaurants. Plus, there’s a vintage railroad station (now Am track depot) right across the street from a yet-operational movie house that looks to be equally old.

I returned in time to enjoy a traditional New Year’s dinner (meaning lunch) at Sanford’s deservedly popular Fairview Dairy Bar. Adjacent to the Big Lots on Carthage, it offers excellent iced tea, peppery fried pork chops, collard greens (with white vinegar, de rigeur), black-eyed peas and a basket of cornbread cake, all for $7. Great service and $4 breakfasts, too, so they’ll be seeing me again.

Smoked a bowl on the front porch of the James this afternoon with Kirby Mallone of Cyburbia. Fascinating guy. His company is one of roughly 20 in the United States evolving what’s termed “new media.” He and his wife, Gail Scott White, supplement their teaching income with Cyburbia gigs hither and yon. His background is in writing, acting and directing. Hers is in animation and graphic art. They’ll be my hall mates for another week, after which they’ll return to Virginia.