Author Archives: Mary Prater

About Mary Prater

Mary is a feature writer here at PorchScene, as well as, the graphic department, marketing department, site editor, tech goddess, floor sweeper, grocery shopper, and occaisional gardener. We like to keep her busy. It keeps her out of trouble.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

  Rich with natural resources such as pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes, there are sea turtles, wild horses, and sand dunes. Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island, is 17.5 miles long and totals 36,415 acres, of which over … Continue reading

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Magnolia Springs Retreat by Mary Prater

Recently, I found myself at loose ends and decided to get out of town for a weekend trip. I was intending to go to Mobile, but when I got there I saw that Mardi Gras was in full swing. This isn’t … Continue reading

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Spring in the Okefenokee Swamp by Mary Prater

I have wanted to explore the Okefenokee swamp’s dark and mysterious waters for years, but trying to convince anyone that a trip to a mosquito infested alligator breeding ground has been tricky. After many refusals from potential travel companions, I … Continue reading

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For the Love of American Spirits – John Emerald Distilling Company

On any given day during juniper berry season, you can find Jimmy Sharp foraging for berries along the Selma highway trying to gather a year’s supply before the birds get them. The red cedar grows throughout the southeast and produces … Continue reading

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Soups On! by Mary Prater

It’s been real cold lately. So cold I am reminded why I don’t want to move back to Wyoming. The weather reporters can say what they want about “polar air” and “jet stream dips,” all I know is that there … Continue reading

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Christmas In A Railroad Town by Mary Prater

I love living in a small town. The celebrations that we have here are intimate, home-grown and full of local personality. I know places like New York City have wonderfully huge celebrations such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and the … Continue reading

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Fall is Fair Time! by Mary Prater

Each fall, I look forward to strapping on some comfortable shoes and stretchy pants to head to the fair. Not the carnival parked in some random lot for a week, but THE FAIR. The kind that requires a “fairground” and … Continue reading

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Summer’s End by Mary Prater

It seems too hot to be considering the end of summer, but the theme for August is officially “Summer’s End”, so consider we will.  I can remember when August was smack in the middle of summer as defined by summer … Continue reading

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Columbus, GA Whitewater by Mary Prater

When I moved back south to Alabama about four and a half years ago from Jackson, Wyoming, I thought I would have to get creative about finding an outlet for my outdoor activities yen. The Greater Yellowstone Area is famous … Continue reading

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Mississippi Tamale Trail by Mary Prater

Growing up, I never knew that what I called a “hot tamale” wasn’t a food born and bred in Mississippi. The Delta Hot Tamale was as much a part of my southern upbringing as college football on Saturday and church … Continue reading

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