2024 Away Game Guide: Tuscaloosa

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The Dawgs are taking on the Tide in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28, 2024. Heading to Alabama to watch the game? Here are all the best places to eat, sightsee and watch the game based on our research!

WHERE TO EAT

Half Shell Oyster House boasts a menu of fresh seafood, namely oysters prepared several different ways. They have Charbroiled, Bienville, Rockefeller and Chef Special Oysters, offering a flavor for everyone. The menu features several other seafood options, and they have non-seafood choices if marine life isn’t your thing.  

Rama Jama’s is a Tuscaloosa classic. They are located right outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium and serve a hearty Southern breakfast surrounded by University of Alabama memorabilia. 

Rama Jama’s has been open since 1996. (Photo/TheBamaBuzz.com)

River is located, you guessed it, on the river. They serve dinner Tuesday through Saturday and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. River offers an elevated menu, with delicious Southern dishes such as Alabama catfish, shrimp and grits, fried chicken and more.  

Moe’s Original BBQ is exactly what it sounds like: a Southern barbecue joint that has pulled pork and sides. They feature two main sauces, the red sauce and the white sauce, and say they are both good on everything. Moe’s also has smoked chicken, fried shrimp and fried catfish if you want something other than pork.  

WHERE TO WATCH  

Gallettes is a staple in Tuscaloosa for game day activities. They have television screens on every wall and offer a fun game day atmosphere close to Bryant-Denny Stadium. They stay open late so you can keep celebrating with your fellow Dawgs.  

Innisfree Irish Pub comes highly rated and is a great place to spend game day. They offer an extensive menu of food and drinks to snack on while watching the Dawgs. Innisfree is located just north of downtown Tuscaloosa.  

WHAT TO DO 

The President’s Mansion is on the National Registry of Historical Places. Completed in 1841, all of the University of Alabama’s presidents have called it home since then. 

The President’s Mansion is a historical landmark in Tuscaloosa. (Photo/uajeffco.org)

Tuscaloosa has several lakes nearby, including Lake Tuscaloosa, Lake Harris and Lake Nicol. All of them offer fun outdoor recreation. Lake Tuscaloosa is known for being good for fishing, while Lake Harris and Lake Nicol both have hiking trails of various difficulty.   

The Gorgas House is the oldest building on the University of Alabama’s campus. It was originally built as a dining hall and steward’s residence and now houses a museum dedicated to its history. The Gorgas House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. 

The Gorgas House first opened as a dining hall. (Photo/Madison Leavelle)

WHERE TO SHOP 

If you are at all familiar with “Bama Rush Tok,” the Pants Store is a name you might recognize. Several sorority girls shop there before and during rush. They are on University Boulevard. 

The Golden Hanger is another boutique located on University Boulevard. They have everything from dresses and rompers to sweaters and sets to look your best.  

Onward Reserve is located in nearby Birmingham. Onward Reserve is UGA-alumni owned, and they have several locations throughout the southeastern United States.

Onward Reserve was founded by UGA alumnus TJ Callaway IV. (Photo/The Scout Guide)

Tuscaloosa Midtown Village is your all-encompassing shopping mall. They have favorites such as Ulta and Old Navy as well as plenty of dining options for everyone.  

Not going to Tuscaloosa to watch the game? Connect with other Dawgs and find a game-watching party near you! 

Find Your Game-Watching Party

Tasty Tailgate: Kelly Chasteen’s ASW Distillery Tea

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Delicious snacks and drinks are a staple of tailgating, and this football season, University of Georgia alumni are sharing some of their favorite recipes with fellows Dawgs through our Tasty Tailgate series. Kelly Chasteen (BSED ’00) with ASW Distillery is here to showcase one of her game day favorites: Tailgate Tea.

She is a partner at Atlanta’s ASW Distillery, which was co-founded by her husband, Jim Chasteen and Charlie Thompson in Jim and Kelly’s home. After developing curricula in the Fulton County School System, she became head of private events at ASW Distillery. Kelly is now a partner and chief HR officer and has helped the distillery earn multiple awards — including being named a Bulldog 100 business — since 2018.

Kelly Chasteen holding a glass of Tailgate Tea (PHOTO: Edwin Hammond)

This unique drink uses Tazo tea bags and can be ready to serve in around 45 minutes. It is sure to be a refreshing addition to any tailgating spread.

Tailgate Tea Ingredients

1 large pot of water (think about a bit less than a pitcher size)
4-8 hibiscus tea bags (I like Tazo’s Passion Tea, and I use 8 to get that deep red color)
1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup of rosemary simple syrup (see recipe below)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil (around 10-16 cups depending on the size of your pitcher).

2. Add 4-8 hibiscus tea bags to the pot and cover.

3. Remove from heat and allow it to steep for at least 7-10 minutes. You don’t have to worry if it’s longer, as hibiscus tea doesn’t turn bitter if over-steeped.

4. Discard tea bags. Set tea aside and let cool to room temperature.

5. Once cooled, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of rosemary simple syrup. Stir well and pour over a tall glass of ice.

6. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon or fresh lemon slice and a sprig of rosemary.

Tip: if you clap that rosemary sprig between your hands, you’ll release the essential oil, allowing for a beautiful aroma while enjoying your tea and leaving your hands smelling nice, too!

A brewing pot of Tailgate Tea (PHOTO: Edwin Hammond).

Kelly also shared her recipe for the rosemary syrup she uses in the tea.

Rosemary Simple Syrup Ingredients

1 cup of granulated white sugar
1 cup of water
2-4 large sprigs of rosemary

Instructions

1. Bring 1 cup of water to boil.

2. Add 1 cup of granulated white sugar and stir until dissolved.

3. Remove from heat.

4. Add 2-4 large sprigs of rosemary and set aside for 30 minutes.

5. Strain rosemary from the simple syrup into a mason jar or glass container.

A pitcher of Tailgate Tea and a jar of rosemary simple syrup (PHOTO: Edwin Hammond).

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Road to Sanford

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Cassandra Cannon: The Pajama Game

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This story, written by Heather Skyler, was originally published on UGA Today on May 23, 2024.

When Cassandra Cannon was a new mother, she and her friend, Anne Read Lattimore, decided to start a pajama company.

Both women were spending a lot of time at home with their babies, and they wanted something to wear that was more comfortable but also a little nicer looking than the oversized T-shirts and boxer shorts they often wore around the house.

“All of the pajamas we saw were either the traditional, button down, boxy menswear style or lingerie inspired. We wanted something more comfortable and put together,” says Cannon (BS ’08).

Inspiration hit one day when the two women noticed their infants’ clothes were incredibly soft. “We saw that our babies wore mostly Pima cotton, and we realized it is the softest thing ever and we should make pajamas out of this for adults,” says Cannon.

Two years later, after extensive research, Lake Pajamas launched in 2014. The founders’ idea was to make very soft pajamas with a classic American style and a nautical look. Today, the company is thriving, with its headquarters in Savannah and storefronts in Atlanta and Charleston, South Carolina.

Born and raised in Savannah, Cannon attended the University of Georgia where she majored in biology and psychology, with a tentative plan to go to medical school.

But then she had second thoughts.

Back in Savannah she tried a few other options: an anesthesia assistant graduate program and a year of art classes at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Then she did clerical work for her parents’ industrial contracting business.

In her mid-20s, she decided to apply for medical school and was accepted at Mercer University.

At the same time, she began talking to Anne Read about starting a business. Being a new parent made her realize med school wasn’t the best option now. So, she took a leap of faith in her entrepreneurial skills and started a business with Lattimore.

“We had a product, and we knew our audience, and we were making it for them.” — Cassandra Cannon (BS ’08), co-founder of Lake Pajamas

In the beginning, Cannon and Lattimore didn’t really know how to make clothing. “It’s crazy looking back how we made it all happen. We searched online for suppliers, drawing the designs on paper. We were scrappy that way,” says Cannon.

Cannon provides the creative vision for Lake Pajamas, and Lattimore handles the business side, though during the first four years they each did a little bit of everything, working together from home with their kids running around them. Now they have an office in Savannah with close to 70 employees.

One key to the company’s success is being savvy on social media. “Instagram was fairly new when we started, and it allowed us to connect to an audience inexpensively,” Cannon says. Lake Pajamas has worked with a few influencers, and the company’s pajamas have been seen on celebrities including Jennifer Garner and Jenna Bush Hager.

Lake Pajamas has expanded its clothing line to include dresses, pajamas, men’s robes, and clothes for kids. Cannon, who is married to UGA alumnus Pierce Cannon (BSFCS ’06), now has four kids under 10, and she said they wear the pajamas as do some of their friends.

Cannon says filling a specific niche was also a big part of the company’s success. “We had a product, and we knew our audience, and we were making it for them. It grew organically by word of mouth in a way we didn’t expect.”

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2024 Away Game Guide: Lexington

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The Dawgs will play the Kentucky Wildcats in an SEC matchup on Sept. 14, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky. If you are heading to the Bluegrass State to cheer on the Dawgs, here are some of our Lexington alumni’s favorite places to eat, shop and sightsee.  

WHERE TO EAT

Josie’s and Ramsey’s serve breakfast all day and feature a Southern-inspired menu with entrees such as fried chicken and pot roast and sides including green beans and stewed tomatoes. Both are favorites among the locals and close to the university. 

Ramsey’s has been open since 1989. (Photo/Lexington Herald-Leader)

If you are looking for a steakhouse dinner, Malone’s is the place for you. They have sushi rolls like the Baked Lava Roll, Seared Ahi Tuna roll and Crab Rangoon roll, they offer steaks in an assortment of cuts, and they serve a wide variety of seafood.  

WHERE TO WATCH 

Winchell’s boasts 30 flatscreen televisions and a “huge variety of specials,” making it an ideal place to watch the game with your fellow Dawgs. Winchell’s has been open for over 25 years, and they’ve become a local favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Drake’s features a burger-of-the-month and sushi-of-the-month, allowing you to try something different every time you go. They are open until midnight from Sunday-Thursday and open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, making them a great spot to hang out and watch the game.  

Drake’s offers a variety of burgers and has a burger of the month. (Photo/AllEvents.in)

WHAT TO DO

Keeneland has been a premier destination for thoroughbred horse racing since 1936. They offer tours of the grounds and different events throughout the year to appeal to everyone, from special dinners to races to activities for kids. They are open 365 days a year to the public.

Horse Country, a non-profit located in Kentucky, gives tours tailored to your specific horse-related interests. You can book the tours on their website, with categories like Horse Interaction, Veterinary Care & Feed, Sport Horses and more. They even provide shuttle tours if that’s more your speed.  

Horse Country offers tours of multiple horse farms to the public, with tours tailored to every experience. (Photo/VisitHorseCountry)

Not interested in the horses? VisitLex lists several fun places to check out, so take a glance at their website! They have something for everybody, including arts centers, nature preserves, museums and much more.  

WHERE TO SHOP 

Downtown Lexington features an assortment of shops and cool architecture to explore. They have stores all along East and West Main Street: everything from clothing and home goods to souvenir shops. The Square in downtown Lexington showcases several art galleries and museums. 

Chevy Chase Plaza, near the University of Kentucky, offers a collection of restaurants and shopping. The Plaza is within walking distance of some other sightseeing attractions, such as the Henry Clay House.  

Chevy Chase Plaza has a variety of restaurants and stores to wander around in. (Photo/VisitLex)

Not heading to Lexington and wanting to connect with Dawgs in your area? Find a local game-watching party near you! 

Find Your Game-Watching Party

Tasty Tailgating: Vera Stewart’s Very Vera Buffalo Chicken Dip

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Tailgating season is upon us and Dawgs around the globe will be spending their Saturdays gathering for football games. To celebrate this exciting time, we are sharing our Tasty Tailgating series once again, bringing you some of the best recipes from University of Georgia alumni.

Vera Stewart (submitted photo).

Vera Stewart (BSHE ’74) is sharing the recipe for her Very Vera buffalo chicken dip this season. Vera is a cookbook author, mentor, Southern cooking host and entrepreneur. She’s been running her own catering business for 40 years in Augusta. In 2011, she was offered her own cooking and lifestyle show: The VeryVera Show.

The buffalo chicken dip she is sharing today pairs well with crackers or vegetables and is sure to be a delicious addition to any spread.

An up-close of Vera Stewart’s buffalo chicken dip (submitted photo).

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 20 minutes

Yield: Approximately 7 cups

Ingredients:

  • 4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese
  • 1 (1-ounce) package dry ranch seasoning
  • 6 tablespoons Frank’s® Red Hot buffalo wing sauce
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Crackers or fresh vegetables, for serving

Instructions:

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a large pot with water set over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil and boil the chicken until a thermometer inserted in the middle of a chicken breast reads 165°F or higher. Test to see if the chicken is ready by pushing a fork into it and see if it is easily shredded.
  2. Once ready, turn off the burner and remove the chicken from the boiling water. Place on a cutting board to cool slightly. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred by hand with two forks or place the chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, turn the mixer on low or medium speed to shred the chicken.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
  4. In a microwave-safe bowl, place the cream cheese in the microwave and melt slightly until softened and easy to mix.
  5. Stir in the ranch seasoning packet and buffalo sauce. Mix until fully combined.
  6. In the prepared casserole dish, mix together the shredded chicken and the cream cheese mixture.
  7. Top with the cheddar cheese and place in the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  8. Serve warm with your favorite crackers and vegetables.

A tailgate spread featuring Very Vera Buffalo Chicken Dip (submitted photo).

Use Vera Stewart’s Very Vera Dip this football season to create the tailgate buffet of your dreams.

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2024 Home Game Guide: Athens

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Fall is just around the corner — which means it’s almost time for the Dawgs to hunker down Between the Hedges once again. If you’re traveling to Athens for a home game this season, here’s a guide to the best restaurants and attractions in the Classic City. 

WHAT TO EAT

Athens has a renowned and diverse restaurant scene. Check out Classic City mainstays downtown like the Last Resort Grill, a southwestern-inspired restaurant with outdoor seating, or Dawg Gone Good BBQ, a hole-in-the-wall, delicious barbecue joint. For a quick bite to eat, be sure to check out Baddies Burgers, an alumni-owned spot by Joe Nedza, located in Five Points. They’re known for their tasty burgers and dessert puddings, including their popular banana cream pie pudding. San Angel Cocina & Cantina, located on Atlanta Highway, serves genuine Mexican food with a variety of menu options, hosting live entertainment and a view from their rooftop bar.

Dawg Gone Good BBQ (Photo/Melanie Velasquez, The Red & Black)

Those looking for a taste of Athens’ fine dining options could head to The National, a Mediterranean-inspired favorite founded by UGA alumnus Peter Dale (ABJ ’99). Peter also owns Seabear Oyster Bar and co-owns Condor Chocolates and Maepole, a counter-service health food restaurant. 

On Sundays, brunch and coffee options abound downtown at Mama’s Boy and South Kitchen and Bar. Want to venture out? Pop in to Independent Baking Co., a cozy bakery filled with flaky, soft pastries and bread, baked fresh daily. 

The National

WHERE TO WATCH

Before the game, cheer on the Redcoat Band, cheerleaders, players and coaches as they enter Sanford Stadium during the Dawg Walk, which happens approximately two hours before kickoff at Gate 10 of the stadium. Show up early and you can watch the Redcoat drumline perform a concert before the walk. 

Even if you don’t have a ticket to the game, there are plenty of places in Athens to enjoy the game day atmosphere. Head over to Athentic Brewing Company, located on Park Avenue, where our official UGA Alumni Game-Watching party will be hosted! Tailgaters surround most of the UGA campus, and big-screen viewing of UGA games is available downtown at both Paloma Park and the Georgia Theatre. If you’d like to stay on campus, the Tate Theater inside the Tate Student Center also shows football games. 

Creature Comforts Downtown Taproom and Brewery

Creature Comforts Brewing Co., a well-known brewery that originated right here in Athens, has the perfect game day atmosphere with outdoor and indoor space. For a laid back experience, Blue Sky Bar, located downtown, serves craft beers and cocktails with a rustic feel and a rooftop patio.

After a Dawgs win, make sure to celebrate by ringing the Chapel Bell on North Campus!

What to Do

In addition to UGA sports, Athens has lots of opportunities for cultural exposure and outdoor adventure. Explore Athens’s history as a musical hub by taking the Athens Music Walk of Fame downtown, or pay a visit to the Georgia Museum of Art, which features traveling exhibitions and an eclectic permanent collection, including a sculpture garden. 

Wire Park

Wire Park, located in Watkinsville, is a family-friendly outdoor space with shops, restaurants, breweries, and fitness establishments. Be sure to swing by for a great family-friendly activity, just 15 minutes from campus! Enjoy nature by visiting Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park, exploring the sprawling State Botanical Garden of Georgia or walking the paths of the North Oconee River Greenway.

Where To Shop

Epps Bridge Centre is an Athens area hotspot. Whether you’re an avid movie-watcher or just love to shop, Epps Bridge Centre has a variety of stores like Alumni Hall, restaurants like Killer Crust Pizza Company and an amazing movie theater called University 16 Cinemas, with recliner seats, slushies, and a do-it-yourself popcorn station! Five Points is a cozy neighborhood with local restaurants and shops to explore like The Pine and Avid Bookshop. Looking for mainstream retail chain stores like, Lululemon and TJ Maxx, Beechwood Shopping Center is the place to go! 

University 16 Cinemas at Epps Bridge Centre

There’s a lot to see in the Classic City! Not making the trip to Athens and looking to connect with Dawgs in your own area? Find your local UGA alumni chapter and cheer on the Dawgs with fellow alumni at a game-watching party near you.

Find Your Game-Watching Party

2024 Away Game Guide: Atlanta

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The Dawgs will kick off the 2024 football season in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Clemson Tigers on Aug. 31, 2024. Heading to Atlanta for the game? Here are some favorites from the Atlanta Alumni Chapter — as well as some of our personal favorites — to help you decide where to eat, visit and watch the game.

WHERE TO EAT 

If you are looking for breakfast before the game, the Silver Skillet offers a “real Southern breakfast,” as their website describes it. This popular ’50s-style diner has a retro feel that has been used in several different television shows and movies, including Netflix’s “Ozark.” The Silver Skillet was also featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”

The Silver Skillet has been featured in several movies and television shows since opening its doors. (Photo/Roadfood)

The Varsity is an Atlanta classic. Since 1928, they’ve been serving up chili dogs and onion rings, and who doesn’t love sporting one of those iconic red hats?  

Antico is newer to the Atlanta food scene but quickly becoming a local favorite. They feature Napoletana-style pizzas and calzones, and their restaurants have a rustic Italian feel. Antico is in an area of Atlanta called “Little Italia,” which features a group of shops and eateries that are all Italian inspired! 

Mary Mac’s Tea Room is another local Atlanta classic. Mary Mac’s has been serving Southern comfort foods since 1945. Several different celebrities and politicians have stopped by, from Beyoncé to President Jimmy Carter.  

WHERE TO WATCH

Sports & Social at The Battery has several television screens and a huge, 30-foot projection screen to watch the game with your fellow fans. They have food, axe-throwing, virtual sports simulators and other amenities to make this a perfect spot to gather for the game. You can even reserve tables ahead of time to make sure you get a spot. 

The Hudson Grille in Midtown also offers a fun game-watching atmosphere. They have a large menu with many dishes to choose from, and they offer private party rooms for your group.  

WHAT TO DO

Atlanta is home to many different attractions and things to do. The World of Coke, located minutes from Mercedes-Benz, shows the history of one of the most recognized soda brands across the world. The College Football Hall of Fame is a great place to start the college football season. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is also located close to Mercedes-Benz. 

The College Football Hall of Fame features memorabilia from several decades of college football. (Photo/Explore Georgia)

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States. They have several exhibits showcasing animals from whale sharks to beluga whales to bottlenose dolphins.  

Looking to get some fresh air? Take a walk or bike on the 22-mile BeltLine, a trail sprinkled with parks, art, restaurants and other places to stop and look around. One of these stops is Ponce City Market, which features food from different cuisines and has several different stores to shop in. 

WHERE TO SHOP

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta are a great place to shop if you are looking for a deal. They have Coach, Lucky Brand, Steve Madden, Vera Bradley and more. The Outlets are in Woodstock, about a 45-minute drive north from Atlanta.  

Phipps Plaza is home to several high-end stores, including Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Phipps Plaza is also where you can find the LEGO Discovery Center. 

Phipps Plaza is home to a variety of stores at all price points. (Photo/Explore Georgia)

Not going to Atlanta and want to connect with Dawgs in your area? Look for one of our game-watching parties near you! 

Find Your Game-Watching Party

Alum leaves $1M to support travel, study away

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