Like a lot of mid-sized cities in the world, Winston-Salem is often interested—to the point of obsession—in how the rest of the country, and particularly the decision makers in places such as New York, view our patch of ground.
We’re a town built on cigarettes and underwear, now a financial and healthcare center, and in some circles equally well known for the delectable downfall of the hometown doughnut company. It’s easy for writers to wallow in symbolism and metaphor.
So in rumbles The New York Times, with an overnight guide to Winston-Salem. It’s part of a series they do on 36 hours in places that are usually what might politely be called “second-tier” travel destinations.
The good news: their 36 hours in the city didn’t start out with the advice: spend your first two-and-a-half hours driving to Asheville ...
But on a serious note, the city comes off pretty good, if a little precious and sanitized. The author’s tour captures some of the heart --if not a lot of the soul—of Winston-Salem. Their restaurant choices are pretty good. All in all, a piece the chamber and tourism folks will be happy to clip, copy, save and mail.
Your host is Ken Otterbourg, the managing editor at the Winston-Salem Journal. It's a forum to discuss the media, from
Glad to see Little Richard’s made the cut. But no Hill’s Lexington? The reporter had 36 hours—that’s time for six or seven BBQ joints. A late-night trip to Mr. Waffle for a fried-bologna sandwich would have been a nice touch, as well....
Overall, I’d say the writer did a pretty good job. One obvious oversight is Wake Forest University, now the city’s largest employer.
Ken:
Why do they have Korner’s Folley represented on their map as being on Church St. in Wintson-Salem?
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