A great reporter digs to find the facts and writes them as he knows them.  When he is wrong, he admits his mistakes.

I was wrong.

After a previous post regarding St. Nick in Fredericksburg, I got a call from Santa.  Rather, I missed a call from Santa.

(Listen to Santa's message.)

Photo by Carol Tedesco

Working as an editor at Southern Living occasionally affords me opportunities to get behind the scenes at various events and places, iconic and otherwise. As a result, I’ve experienced more than a few moments of awe, visages of beauty that have given me cause to pause and just watch what unfolds before me. I walked into such a moment last week when I watched rehearsals of the inimitable Nutcracker Key West in the island town’s Tennessee Williams Theatre.

Local Santa, Santa Claus (see Retraction post), loves sharing the joy of Christmas. photo by Scott Suchman

I sent our photographer, Scott Suchman, a rather detailed shot list last December for my story, "Shop Fredericksburg."  I gave him specific locations and angles I thought would work.  The main theme, though, was to convey Chrismas in this charming Virginia town. 

I never asked him to find Santa Claus.

photo by Scott Suchman

We've chosen our five favorites in this Virginia city.

We're huge fans of the Old Town district of Fredericksburg, and here's why: All the stores are locally owned.  When browsing for everything from antique furniture to contemporary gifts, you'll find the shop owners right on the spot.  Check these out.

In a recent New York Times Sunday travel feature, photographer Katherine Wolkoff captured the Port City of Mobile, Alabama, in a series of wonderfully sunlit images. It's always intriguing to see how other publications interpret the beauty of our region. I think Katherine did an outstanding job.

To see the photographs, click here. For more about Mobile Bay and the surrounding communities of Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Foley, read Wanda McKinney's piece, "Spring Getaway on Mobile Bay," from the April 2008 issue, and Allison Barnes' feature "Mobile Says 'Yes We Can'," from February 2008. Above photo by John O'Hagan for SL.

(Photos by Art Meripol)

"Black bears rarely attack. But here's the thing. Sometimes they do. That doesn't happen often, but - and here is the absolutely salient point - once would be enough." - Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

I took several walks in the woods this weekend. The jaunts led me along leaf-covered paths of yellow poplar, sassafras, white oak, sweetgum, and red maple so bright your heart could burst. Though I love and grew up exploring the woods, I do not adequately remember the sounds of the woods. You might call me a woodsman right after you call me a Braves prospect. This is why I thought a bear was about to jump me while hiking the Springer Mountain Loop this weekend near Ellijay, Georgia.

I spent last week near Everglades National Park, the wetlands version of Yellowstone, and took my very first airboat tour. They give you ear protectors for a reason. My teeth are still shaking. But, the 45-minute ride with two Europeans was quite worth it - the ecology of swamp and hammock and cypress groves is gorgeous. And they were pretty spooked by the alligators.  

Nashville artist Herb Williams, who's been written about in this magazine, continues his quest to create a world out of crayons. He sent me an email this morning to introduce his latest portrait, that of Senator Obama, just ready for Election Day across America. Though SL does not call itself blue or red, we couldn't resist showing off our friend Herb, one of Tennessee's most creative and all-around-swell guys. We love the South and its people much more than we love politics. If you are Nashville, your best bet to meet Herb is to stop by the Rymer Gallery downtown, where he curates and builds his crayon masterpieces. Warning: He may enlist your help in cutting the color sticks, if you are lucky.

Find time to exercise your right to vote today. And while your at it, buy a box of 64 Crayola's. There's nothing like that fresh smell.

Join the editors of our travel blog this month as they share their best tips for staying green on the road.

#31 Flip the switch: Save energy by turning off the air conditioning/heat, lights, and TV when you leave your hotel room—whether it’s for the afternoon or when you are checking out.