Granny's Pantry #10
My newest, most
favorite family Christmas tradition---High Rock style—is a visit to the Denton
Farm Park’s Country Christmas Train on Handy Road near mini-politan Denton,
North Carolina. This place is maybe 5 or 6 miles from Granny’s front door. Don’t
think about the glitz and glamour of Times Square, forget the fast-paced and
highly polished holiday entertainment of Myrtle Beach (love that, too) or
Branson. Think more about going back 50 years—maybe more--and wandering through
a rural farm park that is sometimes home to the Southeast Old Threshers Reunion
and other times the annual Bluegrass festivals--but at Christmas is transformed
into a “down home, homemade, over-the-river-and-through-the-woods unexpectedly
wondrous wonderland.” (I’ve been 4 times
in the past two years--those are my credentials for inviting you—and it’s made Our State magazine at least twice!).
The Farm Park
elves have fashioned lighted candy canes to mark the trail from the parking lot
to the Christmas village. I’m hoping that for Christmas, they’ll come here and
make some for me.
The main
attraction is the Country Christmas Train itself. A vintage engine from the
High Point, Thomasville and Denton railroad (HPT&D) is outlined in lights
and pulls a multiple car train around the perimeter of the park in a ride the
passes beautiful displays of Christmas lights and scenarios that make it hard
to ignore the tears slipping down your face. Live shepherds and wise men go about
their yuletide duties, as do Santa’s elves and his workshop in the woods. A
soldier kneels to remember the season and his lost comrades. The train pauses
for a brief but stirring movie of the Nativity viewed from its windows (and how
many times have your watched a movie outside from the inside of a train)?
When the train
pulls back into small log station, you’ll see that it has been occupied by
Santa and his helper who, for a modest fee, will take “with Santa” pictures of
your children/grandchildren and email them efficiently to your home. (They are fast
and good at what they do.)
A short walk down
the hill takes you to a little bakery serving up tasty gingerbread men, jack
pies like Granny used to make and old fashioned candy.
A campfire burns outside of the old Jackson
Hill general store, moved to the park from a few miles away. Inside, you can
spend forever just looking at the displays of the way shopping in rural America
used to be. (You can also buy small bags of marshmallows for roasting at the
fire just outside. Sticks are provided—what a great idea!)
Up the hill a
little way is the beautiful, old Jackson Hill church. This alone is worth the
trip. The church is moving in its history and simplicity. The short program of
story and song inside of the church by the Stuart-Hill family is the best.
No one does “Beautiful Star” better than Eddie Hill, his daughter, Stacey, and
son-in-law, Doug.
A free trolley
ride takes you down to the old plantation house, moved with most of its out buildings from its home on Cabin Creek about 5 miles away. 
Its vintage decorations
and simple charm made me want to stay…live…have Christmas every day there.
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| inside Reid Plantation |
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| the old kitchen |
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| blacksmith's shop |
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| prophet's chamber |
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| off the back porch |
There’s more to
discover for yourself…animals, incredible flavored cotton candy (great party
idea)…a mill that grinds its own cornmeal…and more. By now, you will
be tired…but before you go, visit the craft building. This place has crafts…yes…
but more importantly…it has homemade, church-lady-delicious food. It’s
s delectable and relaxing way to end the evening—or begin it, whatever suits.
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Go early.
Take your time. Savor the memories.
"And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at His birth." Luke 1:14
If you want to
know the details, see:
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