The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • 103

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER Sunday April 2 1995 9G NEARBY NOTES Easter sunrise service Worshiping outdoors can make a special time even more meaningful That in mind Chimney Rock Park will hold its annual Easter sunrise service April 16 at the top of the park People from across the region have been joining together at the park for the past 40 years to worship while taking in the majestic view of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure The ministers of Hickory Nut Gorge will lead the ecumenical service which includes congregational singing scripture reading and special music by John Mason on the hammered dulcimer Area vocalists will sing Those interested in attending the service should dress warmly bring flashlights and plan to arrive early: You need to be shuttled from the base of the park to the top parking lot where the service will be held Unable to attend? WHKP (1450 AM) in Hendersonville will broadcast the service live The park gates open at 4:30 am and close at 6:15 am for the service which will be held from 6:30 to 7 am Cost: free Details: 1-800-277-9611 8:30 am-5 pm weekdays Boogie by the sea Put a shell up to your ear on the beaches near Beaufort NC April 28-30 and instead of the ocean you might hear Caribbean gospel jazz or blues music During these dates the Beaufort by the Sea Music Festival will be in full blast with groups like the Panama Steel steel-drum band the blues and root rock of Squeeze Box jazz from The Studebakers and the funky dance music of Suspicious White Males Five performance sites will be set up on the Beaufort waterfront inside the Maritime Museum and in the courtyard of the rustic Back Street Pub Food from home-cooked barbecue to shrimp and crab burgers will be available Cost: free Details: (919) 728-6894 anytime Scream machine For those who thrive on thrills the new Viper roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia is a scream come true The new steel coaster which opens to the public April 29 catapults you from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds around a track that makes a complete 360-degree loop The ride is full of instant accelerations and at one point takes riders backward and upside down through a loop The park on 1-20 just west of Atlanta is open weekends until May 13 Cost: $28 for adults $20 for ages 3-9 2 and younger free $14 for 55 and older Details: (404) 948-9290 9 am-5 pm weekdays Olivia Fortson ROBERT WILLIAMS III Spans and circles: This trestle bridge over the taken by a five-year-old child was exhibited at South Fork River at Cramerton lets photogra- the Photo Marketing Trade Fair in Las Vegas in phers try for unusual composition This photo 1981 Destination: Cramerton the attraction? Cramerton is the home of what is billed as shortest Main Street" as well as the site of some of the most scenic bridges in the area The South Fork River as it cuts through the town creates excellent photo opportunities as well as the chance to study one of the historic towns in Gaston County Perhaps the most notable sight in Cramerton is the old Cramer mansion still privately owned which once housed some of the finest furniture decorations and famous men and women in the area Future western movie star (and onetime Charlotte resident) Randolph Scott according to locals spent time in the mansion Driving distance From Charlotte 20 miles 30 minutes one way Getting there Take 1-85 West toward Gastonia Before you reach Gastonia shortly after you cross the South Fork River you will see the turnoff sign directing you to Cramerton Once in Cramerton follow the main road through town and see what was once considered the most beautiful textile community in the country To see and do If Sinclair Lewis who later visited and wrote about the area had seen Cramerton before he wrote his legendary the book might have become a short story instead of a novel Main Street in Cramerton is 100 feet long and is reputed to be the shortest Main Street in the world It is also a dead-end street Sightseeing with an eye to the study of the past is the major reason to visit Cramerton According to local historians an area businessman thought to be Stuart Cramer was returning home to Gaston County via the railroad system and he looked out the window of his train car and saw an idyllic farm "This would be an ideal location for a mill village" he reportedly told a traveling companion fact it could be made to surpass in beauty a village through which 1 passed only a few days ago the most beautiful village I have seen in my That was shortly after the turn of the century And within months Cramer and other textile leaders began to plan the mill itself With an authorized capital of $100000 they began work in earnest A drive through the town will provide a person-to-person look at A Cramerton merchant commented a few months ago that it took only nine people to operate all of the stores on Main street ROBERT WILLIAMS the past and present The mansion itself once had a swimming pool that was 1 3 feet 6 inches deep at all points it was commonly held the reason for that was so that the fire department could use it as an emergency reservoir The trestle across the South Fork River is one of the most interesting in the area if only because it challenges the best of photographers to take the perfect trestle picture: the one in which the water is so calm that the arches of the bridge are reflected in the water and become perfect circles as the mirror-image of the bridge is produced also by the reflection The photo in this article was taken by a 5-year-old my son several years ago It may never have been topped Robert Williams TIM BARNWELL Chimney Rock Park will hold its annual Easter sunrise service April 16 at the top of the park 2SS USAir Vacations Bermuda Break DAILY NONSTOP SERVICE BEGINNING MAY 7 BERMUDA 3439 2 Nights Ask about guaranteed room upgrade SONESTA BEACH HOTEL AND SPA Includes roumltrip air hotel transfers value-added features international travel taxes hotel taxes and serviee charges Save with a 5th night free speeial THE PRINCESS HAMILTON Includes rouiultrip air hotel transfers value-added features international travel taxes hold taxes and serviee charges Save wiih a 4th night free special cApdi 13-16 ELBOW BEACH A WYNOHAM RESORT Includes rouiultrip air hotel transfers value-added features international travel taxes hotel taxes ami serviee charges Includes bullet breakfast daily MARRIOTT'S CASTLE HARBOUR RESORT Includes rouiultrip air hotel transfers value-added features international travel taxes hotel taxes and service charges Golf packages also available Save with a 5th night live svcial 2 Nights 577 raster in Pinchurst is a family tradition and our Easter package was created with families in mind Activities abound from hayrides and historical walking tours to an Easter Egg Hunt and visit from the Easter Bunny Our free children's program (ages 3 -12) will have the kids busy with games crafts and their own dinner club at night $OQl 00 Our Easter package is just And includes Accommodations Breakfast Dinner Daily Weekend Activities Children 12 and under eat and sleep free when staying in their parent's room Contact your travol consultant or call USAir Vacations at 1-800-455-0123 Terms mill ('muliluim: Pines niv pet pvisim iluuhle ncuipiik lor niumlirip navel Momliy-I hnr-rtiv Irum Oiulniie S4W rale uviitihlc iho Heel' llmel Ailililiiiiial le pn line ilivs InHels anil inies imulil'le mm ihinugli IIIWA Air mil Inncl spue nrv liimleil ami may mil lie iivinlnhle mi all lligliivtu uclv mi ill ilc pus men! llerinuila ilepiiilinv las ul lur passengers years ami ulilcr USAir Vucnliuns Is a regislered service murk of USAir Inc For reservations information CALL 1-800-ITS-GOLF CijubResorts USAir iWttsn? xi per person double occupancy Plus taxes and service charge.