Editors Notes

I'm not a fan of fantasy football. No time for that. However, I do fancy friends, food, and picnics. There's no question that I indulge in all three and could spend countless hours planning the next great picnic. So, fantasy football or fantasy picnic? I thought I would share my fantasy picnic with ya'll.

Unlike fantasy football, I have gotten to personally meet, shake hands, and some cases - even hug each of the people in my fantasy. As editor of this publication, I have had the pleasure to personally meet and interview some of the most outstanding Southerners. I consider myself, "the luckiest man in the south."

My fantasy picnic begins with a mixed doubles tennis match- Chris Evert and me match against my high school tennis mate, Richard Smith (CEO, Felcor Lodging Trust) and Billie Jean King. The reason Chrissie and I are a team is so that we can enjoy our spicy mustard fetish between changeovers. Of course, Chrissie and I would win the 11 hour and 6 minute tiebreaker at 71 to 69 - I know given Chrissie and Billie Jean's ultra competitive natures, both would want to break the latest tennis record.

So after the world record tennis match, I would walk (crawl) over to my trailer-sized smoker (cooker) where Kevin Costner, star of "Dancing With the Grill", would be smoking (legal of course) all of us some of my favorite hickory smoked Texas beef brisket. I was born in Texas; there is no better picnic food than slow-cooked (12 hours) smoked Texas beef brisket. I know, Chrissie, add the spicy mustard.

Then “Johnny Knoxville” and all of us would wage “Watermelon War.” I would not exclude watermelon from my fantasy picnic. I would team with Miami Dolphins QB, Chad Pennington - also, from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Oh, to complete this most outstanding day, my fantasy picnic takes place at none-other than my good friend's home in Ormond Beach, Florida. Ron Rice, founder of Hawaiian Tropic and graduate of The University of Tennessee, would have us all at his beachfront estate. I have had the pleasure to visit Ron on several occasions in Ormond. However, Ron, you have never invited me to your place in Malibu. What’s up with that? Well, we can talk about that at the picnic.

I wish everyone, from New York to Los Angeles – from Sweetwater, Tennessee to Mayfield, Ohio a FANTASY 4TH OF JULY.

Our July issue is dedicated to my former High School footballer.
Herbie Horner, #66 - Passed Away - June 29, 2010

Best Southern Regards,
Rocky

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