Celebration of Female Friendship
A roundup of fun things to do for female bonding
By CRISSY NEVILLE
Have you heard of “Galantine’s Day?” Normally celebrated on February 13, but could probably be celebrated anytime you wanted to spend time with your girlfriends. Hence, which is why we are writing about it in March. Galantine’s Day spun off from an episode of the hit TV show “Parks and Recreation” a few years back — and stuck. This modern, unofficial holiday salutes the importance of female friendships and provides an outlet to honor them.
From TV time to real-time, Galantine’s Day has soared to success, enjoyed by all women regardless of relationship status. Do you want to spend time with your close girlfriends or female family members doing things you all like to do and praise the positivity, support and fun they add to your life? One national survey suggests the best ways to commemorate Galantine’s Day are to have brunch or enjoy a relaxing or fun activity together, send a card or give a gift. Pick one for fun and all four for more!
Brunch Besties
For the best in brunch, Moore County says, “Let’s Eat!” In Southern Pines, try the fare of Thyme & Place Café, 155 Hall St., where a breakfast and lunch mashup is served all day. Let the French Toast entrée — Texas toast topped with orange butter, bourbon maple syrup and candied pecans — or a quintessential quiche tempt your tastebuds. Many other menu items, gluten-free and vegan options and beverages of coffee and tea, Southern Pines Brewing Company's beers and various wines sourced locally and beyond are all yours to choose.
Betsy’s Crepes, 127 SW Broad St., is a Downtown Southern Pines staple, serving savory and sweet dessert crepes plus tasty soups, panini sandwiches and salads since 2010. Betsy’s is also known for their gluten-free and healthy options. Breakfast and lunch are served daily; arrive in the middle and make it brunch!
A jaunt over to Midland Bistro, 2160 Midland Rd., lands you at a quaint and sunny spot for Sunday brunch or Monday-Friday breakfast and lunch. Owner Kelly Ward is proud to source local ingredients as much as possible and offer delectable dishes such as benedicts — traditional, southern and lobster varieties — gourmet malted waffles, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups, salads, sliders and more. Don’t forget the coffee, juice or even the Bottomless Mimosa on the menu! Regular pour referred? No problem.
Follow Midland Road to Pinehurst and discover signature flavors of the South at The Ironwood, 2176 Midland Rd. Will you and your gal pals choose the signature Sunday Brunch Smoked Salmon Bene, bountiful Brunch a ’la King from the breakfast selections, or a lunch-favorite Fried Green Tomato Cobb Salad or Chicken Salad Croissant? You can’t go wrong with any of Ironwood’s creations! Order a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or enjoy a premium pour, craft beer or handcrafted cocktail to complete your meal.
In Aberdeen, Mason’s Restaurant & Grocery, 111 N Sycamore St., is the place for breakfast, lunch or brunch. Partake of a Brunch Cocktail Flight featuring the Trackside Mary, Beachin’ Mimosa, Morning Rita and Electric Screwdriver or a Sunday Brunch feature. Will it be a Banana Bread Waffle, S’mores Biscuit, French Toast or something else? Choices. Choices.
For an out-of-town Sandhills scene, head to neighboring Randolph County’s The Table, 139 S. Church St., in historic Downtown Asheboro. If the aesthetics of the repurposed 1925 office building turned restaurant do not catch your eye, the prettily displayed baked goods and decorative farm-to-table dishes certainly will. For Saturday Brunch, enjoy a repast of a breakfast or granola bowl, specialty sandwiches — like Breakfast Pimento Cheese, YUM — omelets, quiche, French toast or a seasonable menu favorite like Collard Greens and Black Eye Pea Cheesy Grits, Cornbread Waffle with Pulled Park and Apples and more.
For a drive east, Downtown Fayetteville’s Circa 1800, 108 Person St., has a popular Sunday brunch playlist of Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, Brisket Hash, the hearty Forkin’ Full Monty and more. Open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, this café cultivates fresh local ingredients and culinary talent to create a dining experience second to none. And did I mention the Bloody Mary bar?
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Some of the best times with girlfriends are spent crafting and creating together, and to this end, the Sandhills does not disappoint. You can find your preferred medium, whether acrylic painting, woodworking, fabric arts or something else, in the Sandhills region.
Spend Galantine’s Day in the heart of Downtown Southern Pines at the DIY paint studio, 9th of September Pottery Painting Studio, 2160 Midland Rd. Open for walk-ins Mon-Sat., guests to the store can paint cups, bowls, plates and pots, ornaments and other decorative items.
Bond with your besties with Wine and Design, 220 W Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines, for an experience of the vino kind. Channel your inner Picasso and pick a public paint time or book a private party for a girls night out. The mantra here is “to create memories and masterpieces.”
ARTworks Vass, 129 Main St., Vass, is an art repository for all artisans, from potters and painters to writers and knitters. Inspiring and infectious are adjectives describing this venue's vibe and event list.
Hammer & Stain, 1150 Old US HWY 1, Suite 5, is a DIY studio in Southern Pines where guests transform unfinished wood into works of art. Hip home décor pieces, cutting boards, personalized floor mats, door hangers, and much more await you and your best buds this Galantine’s Day. Chat and bond while you style and stain!
For an eclectic mix, try Sweet Eva Jane’s, 8 Courthouse Sq., Carthage, for wreath, bow or blanket-making classes, sewing, furniture painting and other selections. This store is part of a trio of stores, including Medleyanna’s and The Warehouse, owned by local businesswoman and crafter Harriet Wicker.
Or take a collage heart on canvas class from Amy Smith Art, a craft class hub and gallery located at 1093 Doub’s Chapel Rd., West End. The collage heart would be a perfect Galantine’s Day memento and is just one example of the many options in this West End artist workshop.
While not exhaustive, this primer can be your Galantine’s Day go-to for ideas or a springboard for something else. Famous for golf courses, world-class spas and restaurants, equestrian offerings, scenic nature, a vibrant art and music scene, quaint towns to explore and excellent shopping (don’t forget those gifts and cards), the Sandhills never holds the short end of the stick for fun. If there’s anything short around here, it’s time to enjoy it all. Happy Galantine’s Day!
