[Jarsh]

Alright folks. The time has come. This is your LAST call to register for Winter Warm Up next weekend. The online registration period ends at 11:59pm EDT tonight and there is no onsite registration for this event. It's now or never!

[FamousAmos]

Time's up.
goodnight.
See you there!

[Jarsh]

Winter Warm Up final confirmation emails have been sent. Read it carefully as there are lots of super important details in it. If you are registered and you DID NOT get this email, let me know ASAP!

[Littlegiles]

I can't wait to see all the pics and hear all the details. I can't make it because I didn't get registered (Remind me to flog my friend who kept telling me we had plans for something and then cancelled them yesterday...UGH!)

Have a blast!

[Wormy]

[s][/s]Since there are some folks coming in from out of town, (and most who live here now came from somewhere else - there are still a few of us natives in the minority), I couldn’t resist taking a stab at the menu before hopefully Chef Kris gives us the lowdown. I’ve probably got most of this all wrong and hope to be happily surprised..

Local Carolina Cheese
This could be anything nowdays, but the first thing that comes to mind is the infamous blue cheese from Clemson - now made on campus, but used to be aged in the old Stumphouse Tunnel. I’ve been all up in there - you definitely need a flashlight after a few yards.

Blue Crab Ceviche
Perhaps not as renowned as “Maryland” crab, but blue crab is abundant on both Carolina shores. Ceviche (for those that don’t know) is seafood eaten raw yet “cooked” in the high acidity of citrus juice, and various other flavorings. Sure to be yummy.

Seafood Gumbo over Carolina Gold rice
Imported from Africa, Carolina Gold is still grown in South Carolina and further south; a leftover from the “plantation era” still trying to be preserved. Gumbo is a low county favorite from SC to Louisiana (where it really gets good). Wonder if ours will have shrimp AND [s]craw daddies[/s] [s]mudbugs[/s] crayfish.

Brunswick Stew over Carolina Gold rice
Never had it over rice. Usually Brunswick stew is a side served with good old fashioned church takeout BBQ, usually with finely ground beef and every vegetable but the kitchen sink. Best I’ve ever had always came from a styrofoam cup.

Pulled Pork Spring Roll with Carolina mustard sauce
Ever had an egg roll with Chinese mustard? Same difference, different take. Known around here as “soul rolls”.

Wild Game Ravioli with juniper berry mushrooms
I always used to confuse juniper berries with capers, until I found a local restaurant that served them with something (don’t remember what), and they were so good I was able to sweet talk the chef into giving me a handful. Pretty pungent, probably to cut through the gaminess of wild game. Looking forward to this one the most.

Sweet Tea Glazed Chicken with cabbage and beets
Exactly what it sounds like, and should be exactly as delicious. (And sweet tea isn’t sweet tea unless it’s served in a mason jar).

Shrimp and Grits
Another low-country (SC) favorite. Probably more famous in Charleston than anywhere.

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Balls with cranberry jelly
Pimento - the other Carolina cheese, this one is all NC. Pronounced “Puhmennuh”. If you’ve ever had it correctly melted, it’s like heavenly molten lava.

Moon Pies
Old enough to know you have to have a moon pie with RC Cola. If you can find either of them that is. The Twinkie of the South.

Gelato Panini
A fancy name for an ice cream sandwich, lol.

Damn, now I’m hungry again, and I just ate..

[saxrokinhomo]

For me personally, when I hear " local carolina cheese" the first thing that comes to mind is "squeaky cheese' ( aka cheese curds) from the Ashe county cheese factory. Granted that may be because I grew up there but it is delicious none the less.

[Prongfan]

I'm new to this whole thing, so I was wondering if there any restrictions to filming video and taking pictures?
I'd assume not, but wanted to be sure.

[Jarsh]

Good question...

I would guess that if there was something the parks wanted to show but not get out that they would mention that at the beginning of their presentation. I don't think anyone has plans on talking about anything that isn't public knowledge at this point, but someone might ask a question about something that a park isn't ready to release or talk about and most of the time they will ask that no one post their remarks online in those situations.

Bottom line, I don't think it will be an issue, but during the Q&A session with each park, someone could ask something that the park doesn't want published. If that happens, please respect the parks wishes.

[Tawny71]

At the Rip Roarin Rampage event, they shared something that they specifically asked us to not photograph or film. It was something pretty cool, I thought. I wonder if anything ever came of it?

[Jarsh]

You'll find out Saturday!

[Tawny71]

I was hoping so!!!!!

[FamousAmos]

Thanks for asking that question, prongfan. I was going to ask as well.
What I usually do is film everything and cut out what they said not to film. That way no one but me sees the information. I do that with my vlogs as well. I have respect and I cut out what was not meant to be filmed. I will be filming most of it and I will cut out what shouldn't be there. But more than likely, if they give me a heads up saying "hey, don't film this part", then great, I'll stop filming long enough for them to talk about that in particular, then I will resume filming.
That's what I usually do.
I also want to get group photos of the Carowinds Connection members!

[Jarsh]

One park has already asked for no video or pictures for a part of their presentation so be advised.

The issue becomes when the parks aren't necessarily hiding information, but is this case, all of the stuff they have to show hasn't been announced to the public yet. Since they love ACE, they don't mind sharing the info as long as it stays there. Another instance is the rights to certain items. Such as new stuff that will be branded with a certain trademarked logo. They have to wait on approval from the trademark owner before they show images or video of said item to the public, for legal reasons.

I will be very clear during the presentations when it's time to stop recording or stop taking pictures of things.

[Tawny71]

Whether you plan to edit it out or not, I think it's pretty disrespectful to go ahead and record something that someone specifically asks you not to record. I would hope that you will respect all of the speakers' wishes when we are there for this event this weekend.

[pproteinc]

Mom have spoken!!!!!!!