Panthers_Lover
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Posts posted by Panthers_Lover
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I'm a former journalist myself, so I know as well. I just think it's a little unfair to blast him on a tweet about Krispy Kreme .... I do PR now, so yes, I understand the consequences of an omitted word or misrepresentation, whether intended or not. (I'm not so good at this responding crap on here ... not sure what happened to the post I was responding to.)
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A journalist should know better---no biggie, BUT--that is like saying "The President" while leaving "of my college fraternity" out of the text.
Not really much to get so bent out of shape about, though ... It's a tweet, not a full-fledged article about the original (or not original) KK.
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I think he may have been saying SPARTANBURG'S original Krispy Kreme ... the new one is across the street from this one.
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Jonathan Jones
@jjones9 27s27 seconds agoA helicopter just landed ridiculously close to the practice fields. We all thought it was going to the hospital but it's in the parking lot
Bringing in major guy from Lowe's.
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Also ...
Because of an increase in requests from camp attendees, the Hub City Hopper Shuttle is increasing its schedule to pick up downtown. Now, the shuttle service is available beginning 1 hour prior to practice and continuing through practice and for 2 hours afterward. Fans can park anywhere downtown and be picked up and dropped off at 100 Dunbar Street.
It's a great way to get downtown for lunch, a few drinks and some shopping!
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I can't believe I forgot to mention Willy Taco, out on East Main Street. It's a great new Mexican place. Y'all would love it!
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I had heard that fellow passed away.
He did.
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TopCats and PurrCussion performing. Sir Purr. Food, beverages, other activities. Cheerleaders signing autographs and talking photos. Video highlights of last season. Should be fun for him.
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Some "food" for thought ...
The world-famous Beacon Drive-In is one of those legendary places that visitors seem to already know when they arrive. Offering their famous Southern sweet tea, hash aplenty plates, Pig’s Dinner massive ice cream bowls, and much more, it’s often the first stop once fans venture away from camp. The restaurant is just a short drive from Wofford, and the experience is one to be remembered. The Beacon has been featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on the Food Network. Go to www.beacondrivein.com.
Closer to camp – within a short driving distance or even walking distance for the hearty – is downtown Spartanburg’s Morgan Square, featuring Wild Wing Café, Delaney’s Irish Pub, Thai cuisine at the Lime Leaf, sandwiches at Groucho’s, great gourmet sandwiches and more at Cribb’s Kitchen, Italian fare at Renato’s (which recently moved to Morgan Square), Asian at Monsoon Noodle House and pizza at Wild Ace. You’ll also find Carriage House Wines, Miyako sushi bar and RJ Rockers Brewery and Main Street Pub.
Other restaurants and bars in the downtown area, offering a variety of menus, include Boots’ & Sonny’s Drive-In (famous for its hot dogs with chili), Krispy Kreme (doughnuts), Ike’s Korner Grille (great greasy burgers and handcut fries) the Nu-Way (good greasy burgers and more), Papa’s Breakfast Nook, Peddler Steak House, Ricky’s Drive-In (more hot dogs), Sugar and Spice Drive-In (don’t forget the baklava), Mellow Mushroom and Venus Pie pizza.
Across Pine Street from camp are McDonald's, Basil's Grill, Hardee's and Long John Silver's. At the bottom of Twitty Street, of course, is Starbucks.
And, Jeremy will steer you to the Pizza Inn!
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I'm not sure I would give your email to the weirdo around here.
Lots of people where already know who I am, so I'm not worried. Hey ... I deal with the media every single day, so bring it on!
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Is The Beacon vegan friendly?
You can get a salad there ... does that count?
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- Popular Post
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I'm happy to be a resource for anyone visiting training camp at Wofford ... questions about the opening party, campus, parking, etc. and about Spartanburg (restaurants, hotels, etc.).
Happy to help in any way I can. If I don't know the answer, I'll do my best to find out for you.
Just ask away here or email me at [email protected].
Look forward to having all of you on our campus!
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You've read the announcement. You've seen the schedule. Now, I will give you the inside scoop on the Panthers Training Camp. I have seen a lot of rookie fan mistakes out there, and I aim to clean it up.
Camp begins with the Back to Football festivities at Gibbs Stadium. Be sure to arrive early, there are lots of great things to see and hear before practice begins. Typically there is live entertainment including a band as well as an appearance by a few select topcats. This takes place in front of the stadium close to the parking areas.
Practice takes place inside of Gibbs Stadium. Most people head for the seats closest to the parking. However, I feel like the best seating for Gibbs Stadium is on the east side of the field, especially if you are looking for player autographs. These bleachers are adjacent to where the players enter and leave the practice. The lower corner of these bleachers are prime autograph real estate.
You will be in the sun a bit more, but as the practice is later in the evening, that may not matter much to you.
Most of the practices at Training Camp are done on the three practice fields adjacent to Gibbs Stadium. There are a few key things here you should know...
Player Autographs
If you are looking for Carolina Panthers autographs listen up. The autograph area is along the fence near where the players enter and exit the locker rooms (pictured below). The key here is to position yourself in the right area. Typically the closer to the locker rooms the better. A you move farther away from them, the likelihood of an autograph decreases. Even farther away and you chances of getting an autograph drop to zero, as this would force the players to go far out of their way to get to you.
Preferential autograph treatment is given to kids, as it should be. My advice is to stand next to a kid, wait for that kid to get his or her autograph, then also get yours signed as well. If a player stops to sign once, he typically will sign a few within the same group of people. DO NOT push a kid out of the way or try to get yours first, you will be chastised by other fans, and probably me.
Players/Coaches I have seen give the most Autographs: Cam Newton, Ron Rivera, Luke Kuechly.
Practice Viewing
Once you arrive at camp, take note of where the blue lifts with the video cameras are situated. Take note on where the video cameras are pointed. This will give you a heads up on which field the main action of the day is located.
Most fans will simply sit on the hill. This is a convenient way to watch all of practice in a leisurely manner from an elevated location. The only downside to the hill is the limited shade, so consider bringing an umbrella, and don't forget your sun screen.
In the morning, if practices are on the two conjoined fields, my advice is to head to the trees after applying your mosquito repellant. You will be in the shade for a good part of the practice and also will have a great view of the action. I am not kidding on the mosquito repellent. You have been warned.
Photography
If you are interested in taking photos at camp, I recommend a digital SLR camera with a lens that is capable of 300mm shooting at least. Quarterbacks are easy to photograph, they are stationary and predictable. Other skill positions can be much trickier. During wide receiver drills, the players will typically all run the same route, one after another. Watch the first route, then use that to determine and plan ahead the angle you would like your capture to be.
Etiquette
There are a couple things that fans do that tend to bother me at practices.
Don't yell at the players during practice. They are there, in many cases, fighting for their job. They will not respond to you. Not because they don't hear you, but because they are working.
Know the players names if you want an autograph. Yelling "Hey 88" will likely annoy more than impress, making a signed jersey unlikely.
Where to Eat
Most people will tell you to stop by the Beacon for a burger and fries. This is fine and something everyone must do at some point. My favorite.place, however, is closer to the training Camp. Wade's is a smorgasbord type restaurant. The best thing about it is the fact that when you purchase an entree, you get as many sides as you like. They are all amazing.
The Pizza Inn is also a great place to go, especially if you grew up in the 80s. It is a virtual time warp including table top pac-man and 19 inch picture tube televisions, The chocolate pudding typically has a half inch skin on it, roll it up as a snack on the way home. Don't forget to try the chocolate pudding, cutting through the half inch skin is totally worth it.
Here is the schedule and the "must attend" practices in my opinion....
Panthers Training Camp Schedule from Panthers.com
2015 CAROLINA PANTHERS TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE DAY DATE PRACTICE Friday July 31 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Gibbs Stadium 
Saturday August 1 3:10-5:30 p.m. 
Sunday August 2 9:25-11:35 a.m. 
Monday August 3 9:25-11:35 a.m. Tuesday August 4 No Practice Wednesday August 5 9:25-11:35 a.m. Thursday Augutst 6 9:25-11:35 a.m. Friday August 7 7:30-9:30 p.m. - Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium Saturday August 8 No Practice Sunday August 9 3:10-5:30 p.m. Monday August 10 9:25-11:35 a.m. Tueday August 11 9:25-11:35 a.m. 
Wednesday August 12 9:25-11:35 a.m. Thursday August 13 No Practice Friday August 14 7:00 p.m. - Preseason Game at Buffalo Bills Saturday August 15 No Practice Sunday August 16 No Practice Monday August 17 3:10-5:30 p.m. Tuesday August 18 9:25-11:35 a.m. Wednesday August 19 8:30-11:00 a.m. - Gibbs Stadium 
Thursday August 20 8:30-11:00 a.m. - Gibbs Stadium MUST ATTEND!
Friday July 31 - First practice of 2015. What else can be said?
Sunday August 2 - Play 60 for the kiddos and probably the first practice in full pads.
Friday August 7 - Fan Fest at BoA. Really, if you are local and miss this free event you cannot call yourself a Panthers fan.
August 19 and 20 - Miami Dolphins are in town and participating in joint practiced before their preseason game against the Panthers. Chances of punches being thrown in the hot Spartanburg sun? 120%.
A couple more notes.
1) It's now called "Lowe's Kickoff Party" instead of "Back to Football," and most/all of the entertainment will be held inside the stadium between 4 and 6:30, when practice begins. The Panthers want this to give fans as much of an "in-game" experience as possible.
2) The viewing hill has a new look, with several large viewing "pads" on terraces overlooking the field, with hillside seating below. The viewing pads, as I understand it, will be available on a first-come basis. It will look gorgeous.
3) Don't forget to register kids for Panthers Pals for the days indicated, ages 6-13; those selected may bring one adult (18 or older) with them for the experience. Registrations are taken each day and do not carry over to the next practice. The kid must be present when names are called. (Location of the registration tent hasn't been determined but it will be easy to find.)
4) For hotel and restaurant information, go to www.visitspartanburg.com. Downtown Spartanburg has lots of restaurants and bars. Free street parking in the central business district plus several easily accessible and inexpensive parking decks available. (Parking at training camp is free.)
5) NO pets or alcohol allowed in the training camp viewing area.
6) Ask me anything about camp and Spartanburg. I'll be happy to answer. If I don't know, I'll try my best to find out for you.
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With training camp just around the corner, I'd bet you're quite busy.
True ... I'm currently assigning volunteers for the Lowe's Kickoff Party, Play 60 Fun Day and Panthers Pals. I have an embarrassment of riches! 30+ volunteers for EACH time slot where I only need 4-6 volunteers. It's wonderful, but making the assignments, trying to be fair and give as many the experience as possible is messing with my head.
Those of you who have been to camp will not believe the improvements being made to the viewing area! It's going to be beautiful! The camp experience for fans is being enhanced tremendously.
(On a sad note, we have been dealing with two student deaths in the past two weeks. That has been trying and difficult.)
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To thebigcat: I'm around ... just been very busy.
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Extorts tens of millions from taxpayers
Gives back 100K
Yeah, what a hero
You're an idiot.
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cool .. yes I was with Broach
That's neat. I was with my friend Beverly. We're from Spartanburg.
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Grew up a Cowboys fan but always wanted a home team that I could go see in person not just on TV
So I have been a Panthers fan since "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you" If you dont know what that means ... maybe you need to work on your Panthers history.
I went to the Hall of Fame game with the tour out of Charlotte and sit in the endzone where Panthers had a goal line stand to win the game. I had so much fun screaming and yelling that I knew this was my team until the day I die. If we could win a Super Bowl I could die a happy man that I was loyal from day 1 and I will pass all the joy of watching this team onto the rest of you, so you all can enjoy many more Super Bowls.
BTW .... I am an extreme Cowboy hater today.
Did you go to the HOF Game with Broach? I was on that trip.
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I'm a lifelong Panthers fan ... I've been a fan for the entire life of the Panthers.
I'm almost 60. Always loved pro football but never really had a team until the Panthers. Actually was a fan before there was a team, because I knew before it was announced that Mr. Richardson was going to seek a team and I vowed to be a fan of any NFL team that came to the Carolinas (his, specifically).
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Forgot mssky.
I'm still here ... for what it's worth.
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How hard is it to get your kid in the Panther Pals? I'm taking my 6 year old down with me tomorrow and this would make his year.
Just register him (I'm sure you're already here - this is for everyone reading this). It's a random draw. We select five kids at most public practices.
Upcoming dates are:
Thursday, Aug. 1
Friday, Aug. 2
Monday, Aug. 5
Tuesday, Aug. 6
Wednesday, Aug. 7
Thursday, Aug. 8
Monday, Aug. 12
It's for kids ages 6-13, but they can take one person 18 or older with them. It's free to register.
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Steve Smith signing autographs for Panthers Pals. It was a great day for the kids. Cam Newton requested they all go inside to meet him and get his autograph, too! The kids had a blast!
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Hi, my name is Philly
in Carolina Panthers
Posted
I thought last year he emphasized his name is Corey ... but I like Philly better. (Maybe I'm just misremembering ... ha!)