Author: Michael C. Upton
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Adding Up the Azaleas
Kirk Trasborg pushes numbers at Winterthur, the former home of Henry Francis du Pont. His office is literally located in du Pont’s former bedroom in a “smaller” 50-room house on the New Castle County, Delaware, estate. Upon meeting him, I had to know how a New Yorker, who lives in Lancaster, became the Chief Financial Officer of one of the country’s most prestigious properties.
Sitting outside a beautiful, beachfront rental home on St. George Island, Florida, I never thought I would be reminded of Lancaster County. By now, however, I should know connections to Lancaster County are almost everywhere.
Long before the first European settlers ventured into the American wilderness, the Delaware and Catawba tribes tracked a buffalo trace through the Shenandoah Mountains. Abingdon—once known as Wolf Hills—emerged along this trail, today’s Route 11. Frequented by westward expansionists on the Great Valley Road, Main Street grew. Today, the city of 8,336 residents hugs Route 81 as it zips through Southwest Virginia.
Ruth’s called shot. Ricky Being Ricky. Candy Cummings’ curveball. Baseball is a game full of stories, and its lore helps maintain the rightful moniker of “America’s pastime.” And some of the greatest stories come from a town of fewer than 40,000 people.
With chefs inspired by global influences and a unique natural landscape, the San Francisco Peninsula is home to a collection of vibrant and diverse restaurants. This remarkable selection of Michelin Guide-recognized restaurants—with establishments earning Michelin stars or Bib Gourmand distinctions—offer everything from refined fine dining experiences to innovative and scenic casual eateries.
Dan grew up playing baseball in the Manor Ridge area and went to school in the city at Sacred Heart. “I don’t have a single bad memory of my childhood growing up,” Dan says, leading me on a pre-dinner walk around the Elkridge Furnace Complex.
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48 Hours in Reykjavík
The rugged and awe-inspiring island nation of Iceland, steeped in centuries of tradition—including Norse mythology and Viking longships—has long captured the imagination of outsiders. According to Icelandic legend, Ingólfur Arnarson fled his homeland of Norway in 874 AD and became the first settler where its capital city, Reykjavík, now thrives.
The igloo experience is a personal heated sanctuary, complete with soft blankets, glowing heaters, and Bluetooth speakers to set the mood. These igloos can comfortably host up to six guests, making them ideal for everything from romantic date nights to festive gatherings with friends. Once settled in, guests peruse menus spotlighting Maine’s freshest ingredients, paired with inventive cocktails to warm both body and soul.
In 2020, I was scouring Philadelphia looking for out-ofthe-way, non-descript eateries—trying to find a hidden gem—when I heard about Kalaya, a restaurant by Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon in Bella Vista.