SAMANTHA BROWN'S PLACES TO LOVE Season 5
#501 - Asheville, North Carolina
Samantha kicks off her visit with a drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains, then stops off at a Pop-Up Mini Fair and talks with local artists. At the Biltmore, Samantha takes a tour with Director of Horticulture Parker Andes and geeks out on Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed the grounds of this historic estate and is considered the father of American Landscape Architecture. From there, Samantha dives into a spirit tasting and learns firsthand how every small batch made at the Eda Rhyne Distillery incorporates the Asheville terroir into its one-of-a-kind Southern Appalachia spirits. Eagle and Market Streets, known as The Block, were the heart of the African American community in Asheville. Samantha tours this historic Block with Guide DeWayne Barton, who discusses the history, future and resilience of the African-American community in Asheville. Along their tour, Samantha visits Noir Collective and meets self-taught Artist Jenny Pickens, who is giving back to her community with her art and paying homage to her ancestors and heritage. At Chai Pani, Samantha learns about spice varieties from renowned self-taught Chef Meherwan Irani, while digging into his favorite Indian street food dishes. With music on her mind, Samantha meets Founder/Producer/Musician Gar Ragland at Citizen Vinyl, where he is laying down a music track for Asheville Artist, Alexa Rose. They then tour the historic space that houses not only a recording studio but also a record pressing facility, cafe, bar, analog art and record store.
#502 – The Jersey Shore and More
Samantha kicks off her visit to the Garden State in Cape May, the only US city designated as a National Historic Landmark. In the early 1850’s, American Abolitionist Harriet Tubman found refuge in Cape May, where she planned the underground railroad with various abolitionists. At the newly opened Harriet Tubman Museum, Samantha discovers Tubman’s connection to New Jersey and how Cape May played a pivotal role in the fight to end slavery. Rooted in sustainable practices and a shared sense of community, Samantha discovers Beach Plum Farm, a 62-acre working farm dedicated to the timeless farming heritage of the Garden State. At the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, Samantha talks with a conservationist about the ground-breaking research that the Institute is doing to preserve salt marshes and their focus on educating the public about the importance of salt marshes and their impact on many eco-systems. New Jersey played a major role in the American Revolutionary War, where the war was fought for three of the six years. At Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Samantha talks with Historian Dr. David Martin about the longest single day battle of the war that took place at this historic site that involved General George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Samantha then visits the Source Farmhouse Brewery and talks with Founder Phil Petracca about the Brewery’s socially responsible to charities, inclusion and their focus to bring communities together while sharing farm-to-glass brews that are being produced using entirely local-sourced ingredients. Heading to Asbury Park, Samantha visits the legendary music venue, The Stone Pony, and meets musician Southside Johnny, who shares stories about the early days of Asbury Park, Bruce Springsteen and performing at the Pony. Just down the road at the Transparent Clinch Gallery, Samantha talks with Photographer Danny Clinch about being behind the lens and capturing some of rock n rolls’ greatest artists of all time. Closing out the trip, Danny is joined by Renee Maskin for live performance in the gallery.
#503 - Genesee River Valley, NY
At the Abbey of the Genesee, Samantha talks with Father Isaac about the history of the Abbey and the popular Monks’ Bread that the church’s Trappist monks have been producing since the 1950’s to help support the Abbey. In Mount Morris, Owner/Chef Melanie Alvarez Santiago welcomes Samantha to Borikén Restaurant, where they sample authentic Puerto Rican dishes and discuss Chef’s move to the area from Puerto Rico in 2017 with nothing to her name. Exploring the “Grand Canyon of the East”, Samantha takes in the sights of Letchworth State Park and its three major waterfalls along the Genesee River. Within the Park, Samantha discovers the Autism Nature Trail (ANT) and talks with Co-Founder Gail Serventi about this new recreational trail designed specifically to allow visitors with autism and other developmental disabilities to push boundaries, explore new activities and develop skills. Finishing her hike, Samantha then meets Jen Hackett and her service dog, Algonquin, who may be the first dog trained specifically for autistic children. Artist Shawn Dunwoody then welcomes Samantha to his Community Paint Day, where they join volunteers of all ages to paint a public mural that Shawn designed. At the 19th-century living Genesee Country Village & Museum, Samantha crafts a bucket with a local cooper and discusses the museum being the largest and most comprehensive collection of buildings in New York State and third largest in the US. Finishing off her trip, Samantha takes in the Peony Tree Festival at Linwood Gardens, where she talks about travel and living in the Genesee River Valley with her friend, Travel-Blogger, Carol Cain.
#504 - Houston, Texas
Samantha joins 3rd generation deli-man, Ziggy Gruber, in the kitchen to make matzoh ball soup then discusses Ziggy’s storied family/deli history, and why his Houston-based Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen is tops in the nation. Freedmen’s Town was originally a community located in the fourth ward of Houston that began in 1865 as the destination for former enslaved people from surrounding plantations in Texas and Louisiana after the Civil War. At the historic Bethel Baptist Church, Samantha talks with Zion Escobar at about this important history, how Juneteenth led to Freedmen’s Town and the legendary Jack Yates. Samantha continues that conversation when she visits the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, with its current pastor and his wife, the great, great granddaughter of Jack Yates. Spanning over 33 acres, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Houston is a traditional Hindu temple that Samantha visits next, where she discusses Hinduism and the history of Mandir. At the supremely eco-friendly White Rhino, Samantha finds live music, “Ranch Water” cocktails and a machine that grinds empty booze bottles into sand for the expansive patio. Samantha then visits Magpies & Peacocks, the nation’s only 501(c)3 non-profit design house dedicated to the collection and sustainable reuse of post-consumer clothing, scrap textiles and accessories diverted from landfill. At Blood Bros. BBQ, Texas Meets China Meets Vietnam and is put on full display when Samantha is welcomed by brothers Robin and Terry, and Pitmaster Quy, who have embraced Texas and Houston barbecue traditions while expanding and reinterpreting them. Samantha then takes orbit, when she visits Space Center Houston and speaks with Astronaut Dr. Anna Lee Fisher about her NASA experience and being a Mission Specialist on the Space Shuttle Discovery, as well as being the first mother in space. To finish off her visit, Samantha gets her sneakers converted into custom roller skates and is joined by The Suffers’ Kam Franklin, where they roller skate and break out the moves at a pop-up skate and breakdance party.
#505 - Louisville & Bourbon County, KY
Kentucky is synonymous with Bourbon. At Buffalo Trace Distillery, Samantha talks all things Bourbon with third generation employee, Freddie Johnson, including the history of Bourbon and how it got named. Visiting the Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, Samantha learns how German immigrant Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929 used his fortune from Bourbon to buy this land and give it back to the people of Kentucky, and how art has always been an important mission of the Forest. Amongst the 50 oldest business in the USA and the oldest in Kentucky, Stoneware & Co. is the next stop for Samantha, where she learns about the process of making stoneware from Master Mold-Maker Ngoc Phan. At Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms, Founder Michael Blowen shares with Samantha how he first got into horse racing and how that evolved to his current mission to saves these horses. They visit various resident horses, including 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm. The Muhammad Ali Center celebrates the life of the Louisville-born and “greatest of all time” boxer. Here, Samantha and Laura Douglas discuss Muhammad growing up in Louisville, becoming the greatest fighter ever, his huge personality and his focus on humanitarian work after fighting - including what the center does for the community now. In Bardstown, aka the “Bourbon capital of the world”, Samantha meets Jamar, a local Bourbon expert, who explains why Bardstown is considered “the Napa Valley of Bourbon” and takes her to Bardstown Bourbon, where they sample 3 different whiskeys and talk about the history of Bourbon. Finishing off her trip, Samantha re-joins Jamar at his favorite Bourbon bar, Bourbons Bistro, along with his Bourbon club friends as they chat, sample Bourbon and sit by the fire.
#506 - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is branding itself “Olympic City USA”. Kicking off her visit with that theme, Samantha explores the interactive US Olympic & Paralympic Museum with Paralympian and Silver-Medal Winner John Register, where she competes in various Olympic sports and learns about John’s personal story. At the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, Samantha meets Founder Darlene Kobobel and interacts with Mexican Grey Wolves, and discusses the Centers’
mission of providing a home to Mexican Grey Wolves and Swift Foxes. From there, Samantha samples Chef Brother Love’s creative take on dumplings at his new concept restaurant, Lucky Dumpling. Taking a hike, Samantha explores Garden of the Gods, one of the most incredible geological wonders of the world, with Geologist, Jay Temple. At Atrevida Beer Co., Samantha hangs with “Bold, Daring, Audacious” Head Brewer Jess Fierro, the first Latina Brewery Owner and Head Brewer in Colorado. Their motto: “Diversity, it’s on tap!” Samantha returns to an old favorite grand hotel, The Broadmoor, where she secretly replaces her photo on their Wall of Fame with an updated portrait. In Manitou Springs, Samantha visits the famous mineral springs and stops off at the Colorado Ski Furniture shop, who repurpose old skis and snow boards into quality hand-crafted furniture. No visit to Colorado Springs is complete without visiting Pikes Peak “America's Mountain”. Samantha rides the Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak, and takes in the magnificent views at 14,115 feet above sea level.
#507 - San Antonio, Texas
Samantha gets a taste of authentic Mexican carnitas and talks with James Beard-nominated Chef Alejandro Paredes at his counter-serve stand, Carnitas Lonja. At the San Antonio River Walk, Samantha enjoys an alternative view of the downtown area by kayaking it with the founder of Mission Kayak, who was forced to retire from the Air Force after a debilitating accident and began kayaking as part of physical therapy. The Mission Reach project provides walking trails and bike paths, and will use portals to connect the San Antonio River to the four historic missions along the river. Samantha tours several of its stops including a visit to Mission Concepcion and learns the history of the river and the impact of this urban ecosystem restoration project. Getting a taste for something unexpected, Samantha enjoys a traditional fresh-made Mexican Michelada and talks art with Art Curator, Jeff Wheeler, then speaks with legendary Tejano musician, Santiago Jimenez Jr., before he performs a live concert underneath Echo Bridge along the San Antonio River. Visiting Dos Carolinas, Samantha joins owner/designer, Caroline Matthews, at her design headquarters and manufacturing facility, to see authentic and handmade guayaberas being created and learns about the process of making these fashionable men’s shirts. Samantha then gets a personal tour of Mission San José from Epifanio & Gloria Hernandez, who talk about the importance of missions and history of the Indigenous Mission people, which includes Epifanio’s family who lived in the mission some 200 years ago. At Pharm Table, Samantha joins native San Antonian, Chef Elizabeth Johnson, for some culinary medicine, and learns about San Antonio being designated as a UNESCO “Creative City of Gastronomy” site - one of only two cities in the United States to receive such a designation. At Bracken Cave, Samantha visits an extraordinary bat cave that houses a maternity colony of over 20 million mother and baby bats, and then watches them emerge at sunset and take flight into the night.
#508 - Boston, Massachusetts
Samantha takes to the Charles River joining the Boston University Women’s Lightweight Rowing team and gets a taste of this celebrated sport. The Union Oyster House is considered America’s oldest working restaurant. Here, Samantha learns the craft of shucking oysters with a master shucker, then speaks with owner Joseph Milano about the Union Oyster House’s history and its legacy. Finding her roots, Samantha visits the New England Historic Genealogical Society to investigate her lineage and meets with the VP of Research, who has done advanced research into Samantha’s family surprising history. Along the Freedom Trail, Samantha visits the Old South Meeting House and learns about the importance of the building and its American Revolutionary roots as the planning place for the Boston Tea Party. Continuing on the Freedom Trail, Samantha visits Boston’s North End and meets its local “Mayor” Frank DePasquale, who shows her around the neighborhood, which includes a visit to an authentic Italian Salumeria where they see how mozzarella is made. Roxbury is the heart of Boston's African American community and is also home to Hispanic, Caribbean, and Asian families. Samantha joins tour guide, Collin Knight, on a tour through the neighborhood where they discuss Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s connection to Boston, then visit Frugal Bookstore, the only African American owned bookstore in Boston. At the Blossom Bar at Sichuan Garden, Samantha joins renown mixologist Ran Duan and his parents, who talk about their family moving to America from China when Ran was 3 then giving up their opera singing aspirations to instead open a Chinese Restaurant and how Ran elevated the businesses with his unique twist on it.