SEE
Roswell, New Mexico
“West of Beyond” permanent reinstallation of the Old West-themed Aston Collection
More than 2,000 artifacts collected from the 16th through the 20th centuries throughout the American West again are on display at the Roswell Museum and Art Center. The permanent exhibit titled “West of Beyond” opened Oct. 28 and is a reinstallation of the Rogers and Mary Ellen Aston Collection, bequeathed to the museum in 1999 before being closed for restoration and research. The relaunching of the exhibit brings never-seen artifacts and updated information, including a Conestoga wagon , a rare Naskapi coat – a Canadian hunting coat with intricate painting – firearms and frontier-era dolls. Free admission. Roswell Museum and Art Center, 100 W. 11th St., 505-624-6744 or roswellmuseum.org
SHOP
York, Maine
Stonewall Kitchen makes specialty foods worth stopping and spoiling your meal for
You’ve driven the 18 miles of New Hampshire’s coastline, and you’re just over the Maine border. If you can make it past the outlet stores in Kittery (there are hundreds), stop in at Stonewall Kitchen Co. Store in York and spoil your lunch. If an item on display isn’t open, they will cheerfully pop the lid for you to try. We started with the jams and marmalades and were taken with the no-sugar-added Wild Main Blueberry Spread before moving on to Roasted Garlic and Onion Jam and then grilling, pasta and dessert sauces. There are several locations around Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Check the website for ordering information. Stonewall Kitchen Company Store, Stonewall Lane, 207-351-2712 or stonewallkitchen.com
DINE
New York, New York
Pongsri Thai oldest family-run Thai in city; flavorful food brings devotees from afar
Stop by Pongsri Thai Restaurant in the theater district of midtown Manhattan for a fix of divine Thai food. Our favorite is Changmai’s Chicken (crispy chicken cutlets coated with panko flakes and a wonderful peanut sauce), pad key mao (called “drunken noodles” in Denver) and, of course, Thai iced tea. It’s hard to choose between the laab (minced meat salad) and the massaman curry. Folks have been known to drive in from New Jersey when they get the craving … it’s that good. Check out the intriguing specialties such as Forget-Me-Not Prawns and Prince Kermit. Pongsri Thai Restaurant, 244 W. 48th St., 212-582-3392
VISIT
Lexington, North Carolina
Childress Vineyards grows wine grapes at a Tuscan-style vineyard in tobacco country
NASCAR and wine go together like No. 3 and fast cars. Forget beer. As the racing season speeds toward the Nextel Cup finish line Nov. 19 in Homestead, Fla., fans can raise a glass of “Champion’s Blend” Meritage red wine from RCR Racing team owner Richard Childress. Each of his car numbers (2, 21, 29 and 31) has its own label. The late Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3 goes on a special bottling called “Legendary.” The boxed sets include one bottle of wine and two glasses for $99. Order from the website, but they can’t ship to Colorado. (Have it sent to a friend in Wyoming.) The faux-Tuscan-style winery offers tours, tastings and lunch in its bistro. Childress Vineyards, 1000 Childress Vineyards Road, 336-236-9463, childressvineyards.com
– Denver Post staff and wire reports
