Blog

Winnsboro's historic B&Bs are always among the most beautifully decorated homes in the city. I thought you might enjoy taking a peek. When you walk into any of these homes, you cross a threshold into another era. And at Christmas, that's exactly where you want to be.

Thee Hubbell House strives to capture to look of a classic Christmas. It's easy to do when the stage is set with period furnishings. Tim Carmichael and his staff always create an opulent atmosphere that is also warm and welcoming.







Oaklea Mansion is also know for its lavish holiday decor, which begins outdoors and extends into every corner of this lovely estate. Norma Wilkerson uses many of the antiques to showcase classic Christmas decorations.



 
 
The land on which the FARMHOUSE at Hunter's Moon Farm was built has been in the Bonnie SirKergian-White's family since the 1860s. The home was built in the '30s and renovated with care just a couple of years ago. The decorations are meant to make you feel right at home.





Be sure to visit the Holiday Packages page to plan your visit.
 

Check out the new 2010 Winnsboro Dining & Entertainment Guide.

It's loaded with great information about our local restaurants and music venues.

Please note, some dates for events we updated after the publication went to press. For accurate event information, be sure to consult the Winnsboro Online Guide or the Weekend Planner.

If you haven't signed up for the Weekend Planner (free weekly emails to keep you up to date on upcoming events) and the monthly Guest Pass Offers, check the Home page where you can subscribe instantly.

For a small town, Winnsboro has an incredible selection of places to eat, from fast food to fine dining.

Plus, you can enjoy music in any number of locations every week.

     

Just a quick heads up. . .

Last year's successful Shop 'n' Stroll event is back. . . and it starts Nov.5!  Here's the information from Sue Hitzemann of Jans Antiques and Gifts. . .

Beginning Friday, Nov. 5th and going through Dec. 17th, downtown merchants will stay open until 7 PM for holiday shopping.

Come in and register at the participating merchants for a gift basket worth approx $360.00 to be given away Dec. 20th.  Some of the merchants may have a drawing inside their store, free give-aways or specials.  Watch for the ad in the Winnsboro News beginning Nov. 3rd.

The participating merchants are:

Jordan Jewelers, Morning Glory Mall, Hornbuckles, Main Street Antiques, Bell's Pharmacy, Ladles to Linens, Art & Esp, Copperleaf, Winnsboro Emporium, Jans Antiques, Double C, Creative Cakes, Flowerland, Calico Junction, Beauweevils, Living Word, Redneck Ranch, The Leaves, Main Street Shops.

Stephen Marshall produced another great Shop 'n' Stroll video, as you can see above.

Marilyn, who owns Art & Espresso, knows a thing or two about a proper afternoon tea because she lived in Canada before coming to Winnsboro.

On the last Saturday of every month, she and her staff prepare and serve a wonderful four-course tea by reservation only.

The menu changes monthly, but always includes a choice of teas, sandwiches, savories, scones and a luscious dessert.

Just to give you a sense of the delicious choices, a recent tea menu included mini feta and artichoke tarts, honey mustard egg salad, herbed chicken salad, lemon lavender scones, Devonshire cream, lemon curd, blueberry lemon ginger jam and Heaven-on-a-Plate Chocolate Cake.

Tea is served from 3 pm - 5 pm, $17.95 per person.

Marilyn tells me there are a few openings for the October tea this Saturday.  CALL QUICKLY to get your spot!

November is sold out already, so contact Marilyn to save your place at a future tea.

Art & Espresso
217 Market St.
Winnsbboro, TX
903-342-3343
www.artadnespresso.com

You can stop going "EEEEEEOoooooowww" now. It's not really roadkill, despite the catchy Roadkill BBQ name.

But it did get your attention, didn't it?

For six bucks, you get a great brisket sandwich, chips and a drink. 100% of the profits got to Winnsboro High School Interact Club Scholarships and Winnsboro Elementary School projects.

Drop by the City National Bank parking lot from 11 am - 1 pm on Friday, Oct. 22 and pick up lunch for you and the gang.

Or, for office deliveries, contact any Rotary Member or call City National Bank at 342-3791 or fax your order to 903-342-3794.

Lunch already planned? Pick up enough for your family and don't bother cooking Friday night.

Last week I told you about the Viper SD-4 that will be on display at the Winnsboro Muni Airport on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 10 am - 4 pm. This is a new entry in the sport category with amazing versatility other aircraft can't match.

Today I had the distinct privilege of speaking to the president of the company, Jan Pjatak. Tomark Aero USA has been given the go-ahead to assemble these lightweight beauties in the United States.

After just a few minutes with Jan, I learned why this is a very special plane. Overall it's more versatile than other sport airplanes and was designed to be very pilot-friendly.

• It's more fuel efficient because of the aerodynamics.
• It's cheaper than competitors.
• The craft is all metal - aluminum - which allows for a much longer
  life than sport aircraft constructed of plastic.
• It boasts the widest cabin in its class.
• The plane is considerably more economical than others in this class -- about $100,000 (plus or minus $20,000 depending on the technology included and other optional equipment).

The versatility is seen in the options an owner can design into the craft. For example, the Viper SD-4 can tow gliders or even be outfitted to be certified under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The plane has caught the attention of private pilots, as well as flight school owners and the military of at least one U.S. ally.

I was particularly taken by an unusual option - a parachute for the plane itself. If there's a problem, the pilot can release a parachute that will allow the plane to float safely to the ground.

These sport models require only 20 hours of flight training and your driver's license is all the ID you need to fly these babies.

The Viper SD-4 will be showcased in Winnsboro, and then formally introduced at the upcoming Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo January 20-23, 2011 at the Sebring Regional Airport in Florida.

Get a sneak peak of this new model. You're likely to run into a number of sport airplane fans who are flying or driving in to meet Jan and check out the Viper SD-4 at the Winnsboro Muni Airport.

David Daugherty as Father Flip in The Altos

Questions swirl around Father Flip. Is he a preist. . . really? What about his affair with Tony's wife, Toffee. Tch-tch.

If Tony was out of the picture, would he win Toffee. . . and that delicious insurance money?

The Altos - like the Sopranos, only lower
A musical comedy dinner theater.
Prizes for the best gangsta costumes

Saturday, Oct. 16, 7:30 pm
Sunday, Oct. 17, 1 pm

Winnsboro Center for the Arts
200 N. Market St.
Winnsboro, TX
903-342-0686
www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com

Was it Toffee?


Toffee, played by Kat Sillick

Toffee is a likely suspect in the death of her husband, Tony. Why?

Reason #1 - insurance money. 

Reason #2 - the secret affair.

Join the audience and help to crack the case.

The Altos - like the Sopranos, only lower
A musical comedy dinner theater.
Prizes for the best gangsta costumes

Saturday, Oct. 16, 7:30 pm
Sunday, Oct. 17, 1 pm

Winnsboro Center for the Arts
200 N. Market St.
Winnsboro, TX
903-342-0686
www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com

Fall in Winnsboro is crazy-busy with events. There are two free street concerts scheduled that you won't want to miss!


Chris Bevill and the Spur On Band

The first is Winnsboro Market Street Concert on Saturday, October 9, from 1 pm - 11 pm on Market Street and is presented by Harold Stone.  Harold is a great music lover and generously underwrites musical events in Winnsboro from time to time.

These popular musicians will perform:

Professor Pork Chop & the Dirty Dishes

Jeanne Lay & Fat Tuesday

Stan Narramore


Double C Steakhouse is presenting another of their Music on Market Street concerts on Saturday, October 16 from 3 pm - Midnight, which benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Here is the revised list of performers for the afternoon and evening:

3 pm - Chris Bevill & The Spur On Band

5 pm - The Cody Riley Band

7:30 pm - Christen Sawyer

10 pm - The Todd Mankin Band

Kimberly Green will be performing between the bands.


Bring your lawn chairs and settle in for an afternoon or evening of great music both weekends.

Miss Wanda's retirement party was real nice. Lots of people came. There was lots of food and two cakes. Nobody would give me a boost up to the table. I KNOW I smelled tuna. But there was so much food on the table, I couldn't jump up without getting my paws in the dip. And I knew that would get me in trouble.

So here are the pictures from the party (only ones with me in them, of course). . .


Here's Miss Wanda being all sweet to me, but then she just hands me off
to Miss Brenda! Do I not have any control of my life? Do they not know
I am a CAT and I don't like my people and my routine to change?

 
Miss Brenda seems nice enough, and she has 'sperience wif
being a cat mommy. But right now, I AM NOT A HAPPY CAT.
Can you tell? I will let you know how it goes when I have a chance
to get on the compooter again.

If you're really interested in the whole story, Miss Maryann has
a real nice article over at Winnsboro Today.

Your friend,

City Kitty