Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Leland North Carolina

Leland North Carolina

The Town of Leland is located on the scenic Brunswick River, just five minutes west of the historic river city of Wilmington, North Carolina. Leland, which has emerged as one of the fastest growing municipalities in the Cape Fear region, is home to a number of beautiful championship golf courses, over fifty places of worship, and a vibrant business community. As the Town of Leland grows, we are committed to maintaining our down-home, small-town atmosphere. Leland... the Gateway to Brunswick County... a great place to put down roots

The Town of Leland, North Carolina is located on the scenic Brunswick River, just five minutes west of the historic river city of Wilmington. Leland has emerged as one of the fastest growing communities in Southeastern North Carolina and is the centerpiece of northern Brunswick County’s continuing economic expansion.

Leland’s strategic location, warm climate, low tax rate and friendly atmosphere make our town an ideal place to put down roots. Our town offers convenient access to Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, the coastal town of Southport, and the New Hanover and Brunswick County Beaches. Leland and Brunswick County are home to a number of beautiful championship golf courses. When the planned US 17 Bypass is completed, travelers will be able to conveniently access Leland from Interstate 40 without traveling through Wilmington. Leland… the Gateway to Brunswick County.

Leland NC Recent History, Future Growth

Leland first incorporated in 1989 with a population of approximately 1,800. Our town grew slightly over the next ten years and had a population of 1,938 in 2000. In recent years our town has experienced explosive growth. By July of 2002 our population had reached 4,216, and was 4,703 by the end of 2003.

Leland is poised for even greater growth in the years to come. In late 2004, our town doubled its geographic size by completing the voluntary annexation of a 4,900-acre tract of land commonly known as Brunswick Forest. The landowners who requested the voluntary annexation have asked that the property be zoned for mixed-use development. The build-out of this property should result in an additional 10,000 residential units and will likely push our population to well over 20,000, making us the largest municipality in Brunswick County. We are committed to maintaining our small-town atmosphere and quality of life as Leland enters this new era of growth and prosperity. Source: Leland NC


Hampstead North Carolina

Hampstead North Carolina

The Village of Hampstead NC is in the area of Pender County north of Wilmington on US Hwy. 17. Just a few years ago, it was just a “wide spot” in the road with a couple of fish houses and a small grocery store. Bordered on the south by New Hanover County and Wilmington , on the west by Holly Shelter Game Preserve, on the north by Onslow County and on the east by the sound and Topsail Island. Today it is a place that has become very attractive to those who come to visit and those searching for a new start.

Because of lower taxes and inexpensive property, Hampstead is an up-and-coming place to live where many retirees have moved from places such as Pennsylvania , New York and New Jersey . In fact, there are families from all over the nation that have found Hampstead to be a good place to raise a family or to spend the latter years of their lives.

Hampstead NC is now home to four of the top golf courses in southeastern North Carolina : Castle Bay Golf Club, Olde Point Golf Club, Belvedere Plantation Golf Club, and Topsail Greens Golf Club. Each of these is centered in residential developments where you can live in the same area you play golf. Just recently, there have been plans revealed by a Wilmington developer for the development of a large commercial/ residential area on US Hwy. 17. Included in this are two commercial areas and 500 lots for single-family homes.

Hampstead is home to schools that serve the eastern part of Pender County , including part of Topsail Island . There are two elementary schools: North Topsail Elementary and South Topsail Elementary. There are approved plans for a third school, Central Topsail Elementary, in the near future. There is one middle school, Topsail Middle School and one high school, Topsail High School . Presently, there are approved plans for a new high school to replace the present one because of the tremendous growth of the area. All of these schools have received the highest honors available in the State of North Carolina

Because it is not incorporated, Hampstead is served by a branch of the Pender County Library, the Pender County Health Department and Pender County Animal Control.

The Hampstead area is served by two of the top volunteer fire departments in southeastern North Carolina , Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department and Sloop Point Volunteer Fire Department. The area is also served by Pender EMS for emergencies and the Pender County Sheriff’s Department.

Pender County is presently developing a county water system for the Hampstead area and is planning to add a sewer system in the future. This will spur more growth in the area and bring in more commercial development as well as residential. To add to the growth in the area and to alleviate traffic problems, the NCDOT has approved the development of a bypass around Hampstead that will tie in to the new I-140 bypass around Wilmington to the south and west. This will greatly improve infrastructure for more growth in the area.

Every year, there are events where Hampstead comes together such as the Spot Festival, the Relay For Life and the Hampstead Expo. The Spot Festival is a long held tradition that celebrates one of the most abundant and favorite fish found in the area. The Relay For Life is a walkathon sponsored by local groups to raise support for the American Cancer Association. The Hampstead Expo is an event sponsored by the Greater Hampstead Chamber of Commerce that brings local businesses together with the people of the community, encouraging local people to support their local businesses.

Whether it’s gathering for a fish fry, a pig pickin’ or to help a neighbor in need, the people of Hampstead create the feel of a real community where your neighbors really care about you.

If you talk to those who have either moved here or have lived here all of their lives, they all will tell you that they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

George Washington passed through here in 1791, and spent the night at a tavern not too far from here. The monument at its base was placed there by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1925.

Hampstead NC was once a small fishing village and a whistle stop alongside the Atlantic Coast Line RR. Now it is probably the fastest growing area in the state, as more and more folks are choosing to live here. Many neighborhoods front the waterway, more are along the numerous creeks and even more line the area's four golf courses.

The land side of the sound is officially referred to as Topsail Township, and includes many small unincorporated communities, and the larger community of Hampstead.

There are still quaint fishing shacks on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway, though most are being replaced by much larger homes as new people * move into the area.

Highway 17 is being widened to a four lane coastal highway from Virginia to Florida, and offers convenient access to Wilmington, Jacksonville, and Interstate 40.

Now we have it all - a hamburger place, gas and taco place, take out pizza and take out Chinese, grocery store, drug store, hardware store, doctors and dentists and lawyers, a nice library, an oil change place, a few shopping strips and some excellent nurseries.

There are two wholesale-only fresh fish dealers, a very nice marina, and full service boat yard **, and lots of golf courses.

Every September, J. H. Lea & Sons contributes about 5,000 lbs. of fish to the yearly Spot Festival, the event of the year in the town.

History is everywhere, mostly related to marauders, both pirates and Yankees. Topsail Inlet was a frequently used entrance to Topsail Sound, a hideout for Blackbeard, Steede Bonnett and Captain Kidd, and Union raiders found it strategic to raid the salt works nearby, and generally disrupt waterborne commerce.

The bottom picture shows breastworks from the Civil War days. Breastworks were earthen walls piled up around gun emplacements, and these are near the entrance to Virginia Creek. There are more near Topsail Inlet.

Hampstead NC, and in fact all of Pender County, is seeing growth and change come quickly, and farmlands once used for blueberries and tobacco are growing houses and neighborhoods as development of the area increases.

Source: Hampstead NC

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Nags Head North Carolina

Nags Head North Carolina

Nags Head, an area of North Carolina's Outer Banks known for its beaches yet rich in history and steeped in tradition. The Town of Nags Head is working to build a community populated by diverse groups whose common bond is a love of the Outer Banks.

The mission of the Town of Nags Head is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens, property owners and visitors of the town, to fulfill the requirements placed on it by the State of North Carolina and to facilitate the achievement of community goals by providing municipal services in a flexible, cost effective, customer friendly manner and to achieve this through an open, consensus driven process that treats all with respect.

The Town of Nags Head NC is working to build a community with an economy based on family vacation tourism. The base of that economy is a high quality beach experience. Important elements in developing and maintaining this economy are:

* A relaxed-paced beach community comprised primarily of low-density development and open spaces

* A diverse supply of accommodations, including single-family homes, hotels, and multi-family dwelling units, that attract and are accessible to visitors from a wide range of economic and social strata

* A natural environment typified by clean water and a landscape of sand dunes and non-invasive, salt tolerant vegetation

* A group of friends soak in the beautiful Nags Head sunshine.
healthy, well-maintained oceanfront beach that is accessible and usable; not blocked by large structures

* A carefully managed sound front that preserves the natural and beneficial functions of the estuarine environment while balancing respect for private property rights and the need to provide public access.

* A built environment that reflects the heritage of “Old Nags Head”

* A well-organized pattern of land uses that, when combined with a transportation system that accommodates a variety of travel modes, promotes an active and accessible community

* Commercial services provided by locally owned and operated businesses that share in the building of our community

* Recreational amenities and attractions, both commercial and non-commercial that are wholesome and appeal to a broad spectrum of family members, age groups and interests.

Early maps of the area show Nags Head as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea. Tales of land pirates that lured ships ashore in stormy weather may be the possible origin of the town's name. Or it may have been carried across the sea by English explorers who were reminded of a similar location of the English coast, a high point on the Scilly Islands, the last sight of old England that the earlier explorers were to see on their voyage to the New World.

We'll never know the true origin, but legend and lore insists that early 18th century ''Bankers,'' realizing how profitable piracy was for sea-going scoundrels such as Blackbeard, developed their own unique method as land-based pirates. Horses with lanterns tied to their necks were walked up and down the beach at night. Merchant skippers in the off-shore waters would mistakenly think the lights were of other ships closer to shore. They would then change course and run aground, with the Bankers pillaging their cargoes.

Around 1830, Nags Head became known as a plush resort area and remains so today, with a wealth of activities nearby to please a variety of tastes. Jockey's Ridge is the last vestige of the giant moving sand dunes that once towered over the beaches and greeted the first explorers. Surrounding Jockey's Ridge State Park, thousands of vacation homes beckon travelers of a different sort to the wide sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere of an Outer Banks vacation. Modern day Bankers no longer need a lantern tied around a horse to lure visitors. With plenty of beaches and world-record fishing, golfing and shopping to nature trails, wildlife refuges, shipwreck remains and historic sites, its all here!

Source: Nags Head NC


Kitty Hawk North Carolina

Kitty Hawk North Carolina


The once-tiny soundside village is one of the largest townships on the Outer Banks. On the oceanside, thousands of rental homes, restaurants and shops are part of the development that has characterized the northern Outer Banks from Nags Head to Corolla. The Town of Kitty Hawk prides itself on providing a public beach for the enjoyment of fulltime residents and visitors alike. There are many public beach accesses, with parking available.

Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Town of Kitty Hawk offers year-round residents and visitors alike a unique and relaxing environment. The Town consists of a thriving Village that has been around for generations, a newer beach community of residential cottages, and a maritime forest called Kitty Hawk Woods. The Woods feature a wide variety of plant and animal life. The beach and village consist of low to medium density, single-family residential developments served by small businesses. Both the beach and the village share a feeling that development remains on a human scale and in harmony with nature. It is a pattern and character of development that the Town's people, both year-round and seasonal, are quite comfortable with and want to retain.The origin of the name Kitty Hawk is still a matter of local debate. Most people agree that it is a Native American name for this area. The word originally appeared on English settlers' maps as "Chickehawk" or "Chickahawk" in the early 1700's. By the late 1700's, local residents spelled the name as we do today, with old land deeds referring to settlements as "Kittyhuk," "Kittyhark," KittyHawk," and "Kitty Hawk."

Once a remote area, Kitty Hawk NC has grown into a summer resort area and provides some of the best beach recreation on the North Carolina Coast.When Orville Wright stepped ashore in Kitty Hawk Village in the fall of 1900, he probably already knew that he and his brother were destined to make history as discoverers of flight. After all, they had chosen this remote fishing village on the Outer Banks partly for privacy from prying eyes. Three years later, they would indeed break the bonds of earth for the first time in their heavier than air flying machine. From that moment forward, Kitty Hawk would forever be associated with the Wright Brothers as the birthplace of aviation -although the actual flight took place four miles south from the base of Kill Devil Hill.

Source:
Kitty Hawk NC

Kill Devil Hills North Carolina

Kill Devil Hills North Carolina


Kill Devil Hills NC is one of the most popular vacation destinations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. With thousands of vacation homes, great restaurants, sports, activities, and shopping, Kill Devil Hills is at the center of an Outer Banks vacation. Kill Devil Hills is the Outer Banks' oldest township, established in 1952. But the landmark that lends the town its distinctive name has been around much longer.

Kill Devil Hills NC is the site of the Wright Brothers National Memorial, commemorating Orville Wright's historic first flight in a machine powered heavier than air vehicle. This historic event occurred on Thursday, December 17, 1903. The Wrights returned in 1911, and on October 25, Orville Wright reached an elevation of 225 feet and remained in the air 10 minutes and 34 seconds in a glider, setting a new world record

The name Kill Devil Hills can be dated back to the colonial era. Shipwrecks were common at the time, and many of the ships were transporting barrels of rum. Upon a shipwreck, locals would scavenge the ship and hide the rum they found behind the same large sand dunes where the Wright brothers later flew the first plane. The locals said that the rum was strong enough to "kill the devil," so the dunes where they would hide the rum were nicknamed 'Kill Devil Hills

Hillsborough North Carolina

Hillsborough North Carolina

Hillsborough NC is ideally located at the junction of interstates 40 and 85 in North Carolina's Central Piedmont Region. The town is 5.35 square miles and is on the western edge of the greater Triangle area. With a population of a little more than 6,000 people, Hillsborough remains the flourishing small town it has been since the 18th century. It is an excellent stopover for long-distance travelers or a destination for day trips from the greater Triangle and Triad areas and from southern Virginia.

Hillsborough NC is a small town with a big history. The downtown historic district — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — features more than 100 homes, churches and buildings from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Among those buildings open to the public is the Visitors Center, which served as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s headquarters when he surrendered the largest of the Confederate armies to Gen. William T. Sherman, leading to the Civil War’s end.
Today, Hillsborough is a tourist and permanent destination and a haven for artists and writers. The town is centrally located in North Carolina with fast access to the Triad and other Triangle cities. Interstate 85 runs through the town, and Interstate 40 is just outside its limits.

Barbecue lovers descend on the town each June for the annual Hog Day, and the downtown comes alive Friday evenings with arts and entertainment the last Friday of each month during warm weather. In addition to Revolutionary War reenactments and guided tours of the historic district, Hillsborough is home to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and several other trails. Work is beginning on a riverwalk.

Hillsborough NC is a nice place to visit, but it's an even nicer place in which to live and do business.

There has been a village on this site for hundreds of years, beginning with three successive Native American villages spanning from AD 1000 to 1710.

Orange County was founded in 1752. Two years later Hillsborough was laid out by William Churton on land where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River. The street names — Tryon, Wake, King, Queen, Churton — still recall this early history. William Churton first laid out the town of Hillsborough, then called Orange, on 400

General Cornwallis acres granted by the Honorable John Earl Granville. He provided for spacious public squares at each intersection of main streets. In 1766, however, this plan was abandoned, and in spite of the hilly situation of the town, the familiar checkerboard-and-cross street plan was employed. Hillsborough took its present name in 1766 after the Irish peer, William Hill, Earl of Hillsborough, Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1768 to 1772 under George III in 1754.

Hillsborough was a center of political activity during the Colonial

General Sherman and Revolutionary period. Several royal and elected governors lived here, as did a signer of the Declaration of Independence, William Hooper, whose house still stands. The War of the Regulation (1766-1771) ended here. The town hosted the third Provincial Congress (1775); the state’s constitutional Convention of 1778, which demanded that a Bill of Rights be added to the U.S. Constitution; and five General Assemblies (1778, 1780, 1782-1784). General Cornwallis raised the Royal Standard here in 1781. Hillsborough remained a political and cultural

Courthouse center in the nineteenth century. It was from temporary headquarters near town that General Joseph E. Johnston rode out to surrender the largest of the Confederate armies to General Sherman in 1865.

There remain more than 100 late eighteenth and nineteenth century structures that illustrate the Town's early history. In addition, there are numerous secondary buildings, bridges, millsites and dams along the Eno, and Native American relics from the locations of ancients towns stretching back thousands of years.

Source Hillsborough NC


Chatham North Carolina

Chatham North Carolina

Founded in 1771 and located at the geographic center of the state, Chatham County NC encompasses an area of more than 707 square miles and is known at the "The Heart of North Carolina." The county is situated between two of the state’s three largest centers of population and commerce, the Triangle Region and the Piedmont Triad.

Pittsboro, the county seat located in the middle of the county, is just 20 minutes away from Research Triangle Park, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill. It also is just 30 minutes from Greensboro and Raleigh. This gives us easy access to Raleigh-Durham Airport and major universities, such as University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, North Carolina A & T University and Elon University.

The county has four incorporated towns within the county: Siler City, Pittsboro (county seat), Goldston and Cary, which has a small area in the eastern part of the county. We also have many unincorporated communities across the county, all of which have a rich history and unique rural features.

Small specialized farms, including organic vegetables and unique nurseries, are important in our county along with tourism, real estate and the arts. Beef cattle and poultry also are important to our agricultural economy.

We have a wide array of artists sprinkled throughout the county that produce high-quality pottery, paintings, sculpture, metalwork, fiber arts, jewelry, yard art and mixed media. However, manufacturing remains the source of jobs for Chatham County.

Chatham County is the home of Jordan Lake, a major recreational lake and water reservoir, but it also has several important rivers, including the Rocky River, the Haw River and the Deep River. The latter two converge to form the Cape Fear River.

Our diverse population includes a mix of both lifelong residents and newcomers, with increasing ethnic/racial diversity. Like most areas, our population is growing older, but we do have an influx of young people as well. We have one of the more highly educated working-age populations in the state

Records show that settlers from Europe arrived in the area as early as the mid 1700s, including a Quaker settlement formed in 1751. Early settlers entered from the north through a trading route of the Catawba Indians and from the south through the Cape Fear River Valley.

The Colonial Assembly established Chatham County NC through legislation introduced on December 5, 1770, which was effective on April 1, 1771. The county was formed from a portion of what was once Orange County. The county was named for the Earl of Chatham, William Pitt, who was a "defender of American rights in the British Parliament."

The legislation forming Chatham County NC noted that the new county was needed to provide greater access to inhabitants living in the southern part of the county. It was too difficult and expensive for those residents to travel to the Orange County government seat (Hillsborough) to conduct business.

In the early years, the county was governed by justices of the peace, which served the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. The justices were appointed by the state’s General Assembly. For a period of time, the justices also appointed other county officials, which included the sheriff, coroner, constables, clerk, register, county attorney, standard-keeper, entry-taker and surveyor, rangers (which dealt with stray animals), and overseers of roads.

Reconstruction and the new State Constitution of 1868 established a five-member board of county commissioners, divided the county into townships, and radically changed the court system. Justices of the peace were eliminated from county government in 1894.

In 1977, the county adopted the council-manager form of government and appointed the first county manager. We now have five county commissioners elected to four-year staggered terms. They must reside in specific districts but are elected by voters at large.

The county was named for the Earl of Chatham in England, who was William Pitt…now you know how Pittsboro also got its name.
Jordan Lake is named for Benjamin Everett, a former United States senator from our state.

Moncure once served as the western-most inland port in the state, linked all the way to the coast by steamships.
Those steamships often brought tourists from the coast escaping the heat and mosquitoes of summer. They often stayed in Pittsboro, which was a resort destination during this time.
British General Cornwallis camped in Pittsboro during the Revolutionary War.

The community of Bonlee was originally called Dunlap Mills, but changed its name after having a town contest.

The Camelback Truss Bridge is an historic bridge that remains in place over the Deep River and connects us to Lee County, but it no longer carries highway traffic. It has been preserved as a park by a group of committed citizens initiated by Margaret Jordan-Ellis.

This historic marker on US 15/501 commemorates the amazing accomplishments of George Moses Horton, a slave who was an accomplished poet well before he learned to read and write.
Photo by Duane Hall

Locks on the Deep River once were used to transport coal to the coast.

Goldston once had a movie theater on the second floor of what is now Miller Heating and Air.

George Moses Horton, who lived most of his life as a slave in the county, is Chatham County's official poet. He composed many poems before he learned to read and write, but published the first book by a Southern black author, The Hope of Liberty (1829). A University of North Carolina faculty member's wife taught him to read and write in 1828 and arranged the initial publication of his poems. Horton tried several times to buy his freedom from slavery, but was only freed at the end of the Civil War. A book on Horton, The Black Bard of North Carolina: George Moses Horton and His Poetry, is still available through local bookstores.

Tod R. Edwards was a prominent early resident of Siler City. This African-American leader owned a well-respected jewelry and watch repair store and photography shop, but he started out as a barber.

Miscellaneous Chatham County Facts:

Siler City still has an operating stockyard auction house.

The nation’s leading bicycle mail order and retail company, Performance Bicycles, is located in Chatham County.

The county has several traditional artists tours, including the Tour de Moncure (held in partnership with Moore County) and the Annual Studio Tour.

The county generally ranks between fifteenth and seventeenth in the state in terms of land size, depending on the source of information.

The Carnivore Preservation Trust, located just east of Pittsboro, houses several wild animals, but it has the largest captive population of Asian bearcats in the nation.

Chatham County NC has one of only two Five-Diamond rated hotel and restaurant (ratings by AAA) in the entire state--The Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant.

Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative in Pittsboro has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach to producing alternative fuels from renewable resources.

Source: Chatham County NC

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Monday, July 30, 2007

Top USA Beach for 2007: Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach Outer Banks, NC

Top USA Beach for 2007: Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach Outer Banks, NC

The national winner of America's Top Beaches for 2007 is Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, located on Ocracoke Island at the southern end of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Known for its laid back atmosphere, unadorned picturesque beauty, abundant wildlife and quaint village center, Ocracoke Island is located at the southern end of the North Carolina Outer Banks.

This is the first year in the history of the list that a beach outside of Florida or Hawaii has been selected as the national winner. In addition, three Florida beaches on are the 2007 list, along with three in the Northeast, two in Hawaii, and one in California, making the Southeastern United States the clear overall winning region for 2007.

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, known throughout the United States and internationally as Dr. Beach, is regarded as the country's leading authority on beach quality and ratings. A Ph.D. coastal scientist, professor of environmental studies and Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University and acclaimed author, Dr. Leatherman is perhaps best known for his annual America's Best Beaches Top 10 List.

Dr. Leatherman's first Top Beach list was issued in 1991. Since then, every year around Memorial Day, beach goers and beach communities anxiously await his latest list of the ten best public recreational beaches for swimming, walking, scenery, sports, and other activities. Beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean are objectively evaluated using a rating scale that covers 50 different criteria, ranging from beach width, sand quality, water temperature and strengths of currents to human impact issues such as lifeguards, the presence of litter and undesirable noise

The complete list of the ten America's Top Beaches for 2007 includes:

Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach - Outer Banks, North Carolina - National Winner
Caladesi Island State Park - Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
Coopers Beach, Southampton - New York
Hanalei Bay, Kauai - Hawaii
Coast Guard Beach - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Hamoa Beach, Maui - Hawaii
Main Beach - East Hampton, New York
Coronado Beach - San Diego, California
Lighthouse Point Park - Daytona Beach, Florida
Siesta Beach - Sarasota, Florida


Saturday, July 28, 2007

Waynesville North Carolina

Waynesville North Carolina

Waynesville NC is blessed with the ideal year-round climate, beautiful mountain scenery and warm Southern hospitality. Proud of our southern mountain heritage, we are building the future with a concern for preserving the past. We're far enough south that spring comes pretty early, bringing a fantastic display of natural blooming beauty to the mountainsides as Dogwood, Redbud Trees and an amazing number of wildflowers put on their show. Our Summer heat is tempered by our cool mountain elevations and evening temperatures drop to create some of the most relaxing evening environments. In the fall our hardwood forests put on a spectacular fall foliage color display attracting more Visitors than other time of the year. The winter brings a quiet, slower season while providing us with some of the best skiing in the south.

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About 40% of our County is occupied by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest and the Harmon Den Wildlife Refuge, where the Blue Ridge Parkway meets the Great Smoky Mountains. The central part of the county is well suited for business and agriculture and is easily accessible to major population centers of the east and southeast U.S. - Our location is a major feature. Haywood County encompasses 546 square miles and has a population of about 52,000. There are four incorporated towns: Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, and Clyde. With a mild southern climate and cool mountain elevations ranging to over 6000 feet, Haywood County is an excellent location any time of the year for business or recreation

The Town of Waynesville was founded in 1809 by Colonel Robert Love, a Revolutionary War soldier. He donated land for the courthouse, jail and public square, and named the Town after his commander in the war, General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.

Waynesville also has a connection to another war. With news of General Lee's surrender traveling slowly, the Civil War continued in Western North Carolina. The final shots of that war, east of the Mississippi River, were fired near Sulphur Springs, and General James Martin surrendered honorably on May 9, 1865.

The Town of Waynesville NC was incorporated in 1871. In July 1995 the Towns of Hazelwood and Waynesville merged into one community and continued to grow with a population today of 9,482. With a great climate, growing cultural environment, extensive recreation areas and educational opportunities for all ages, Waynesville rates very high on quality of life issues.

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Calabash North Carolina

Calabash North Carolina

Calabash is a town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, in the Wilmington metro area. The population was 711 at the 2000 census. It prides itself as the "Seafood Capital of the World" because of the town's large amount of "Calabash-style" seafood restaurants

Calabash NC was named after gourds that grew in the region, which were used for drinking. Since the 1930s, Calabash has been known for its distinctive style of fried seafood, which has come to be known as "calabash style." The town has many seafood restaurants and is often referred to as the "Seafood Capital of the World."

Calabash style buffets are also in many southeastern coastal towns. Myrtle Beach, SC is home to a great majority of these restaurants as the city is very close to Calabash, NC.

Calabash is no longer the sleepy little fishing village, but it still retains much of its fishing village atmosphere. The family seafood restaurants of old are now run by many of their descendents. Calabash is an outstanding place to visit, dine, and to live and work.

Today it is has ab abundance of fine restaurants, shops and golf courses. It is home to 1300 residents, who benefit from a well run Town Government, one of the best equipped Fire Departments in the area as well as a fine EMS. Additional amenities within the town include a medical center, dentist, banks, hardware store, auto services, gas stations, as well as a fleet of shrimp boats, fishing boats, and a beautiful view of the Calabash River.

The Town of Calabash is located in Brunswick County on the southeastern coast of North Carolina and is the southern most city in North Carolina bordering South Carolina. It is 25 miles North of Myrtle Beach, SC and 50 miles South of Wilmington, NC. The
closest highway is ‘Highway 17’.

CLIMATE: Moderate and we enjoy all four seasons. We rarely have snowfall in the winter.

Primarily a fishing village with shrimp boats docking daily during the season selling fresh caught shrimp. Charter boats for tours and deep sea fishing are also available.

The Town is famous for its 'Calabash Seafood'. This type of flavoring originated here and is unique. Others have tried to copy it with little success. If you want to taste the real 'Calabash Seafood', you must come to Calabash.

Calabash NC has all the amenities any Town would need.

Fire Department: Calabash Fire Department- one of the best and well equipped Fire Departments in the area. Has an ISO rating of 6 which is excellent .

Police: The area is patrolled by the Brunswick County Police Department. The crime rate is very low in this area.

Banks- Medical/Dental Offices-Churches-Post Office-Hardware Stores- Veterinarian- Deli and Pastry Shop-Souvenirs-Jewlery-ice cream parlors-supermarkets-clothing stores-cleaners-lawyers and most of all restaurants. Check our current Business Directory for a detailed list.

Calabash is within 6-10 miles of two beautiful sandy beaches and 25 miles to great entertainment in Myrtle Beach SC. Golf courses abound in this area. Almost all are public courses and very well maintained.


Friday, July 27, 2007

Ocean Isle Beach North Carolina

Ocean Isle Beach North Carolina

The northernmost sub-tropical region on the East Coast! Enjoy our mild winter weather, spectacular beach and great Golf Specials on over 100 area courses!

Ocean Isle Beach is one of the southernmost of North Carolina's unique barrier islands. Miles and miles of powder white sand, sun-danced waves, and windswept marshlands make our community one of the loveliest places on the earth.

In contrast to other resort areas along the southeastern coast, Ocean Isle has chosen to avoid the everyday hustle and bustle. Instead, this resort island has sustained a family beach atmosphere and has proudly kept itself on a low-key, low-rise course. It's the perfect place for vacationers who want to relax and enjoy a quiet, refreshing time.

Ocean Isle Beach lies between the historic port of Wilmington, N.C. and the tourist attractions of Myrtle Beach, S.C.. Although Ocean Isle Beach has grown and developed over the years, it has maintained its relaxed and leisurely charm.

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, is located on the southern coastline of North Carolina. This coastal barrier island was incorporated as the Town of Ocean Isle Beach in 1959. The island is approximately seven miles long and provides a family beach environment. The current year-round resident population is approximately 425, with a seasonal population of 25,000

Find Ocean Isle Beach NC Real Estate Agents

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Waxhaw North Carolina

Waxhaw North Carolina

Waxhaw NC is a historic yet progressive town located in Union County and south of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Waxhaw’s uniqueness is defined by its diverse character of antique stores, scenic horse farms, and a downtown district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Waxhaw NC is located in a historic region called the Waxhaws, and in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The area is wooded with rolling hills. Waxhaw is also in the region where gold was first found in the United States, and the Howie Gold Mine is not far from the city limits. Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States, was born nearby in 1767. There is some disagreement as to which of the Carolinas was his actual birthplace, due to the very close proximity of the NC/SC border.

Although it is such a small city, Waxhaw NC is surprisingly well-known in the Charlotte area, with annual events such as the Fourth of July Parade (known for its outrageous floats). Waxhaw is also known around the world, specifically in missions groups, due to the location of a Wycliffe Bible Translators base and airport known as JAARS.

Waxhaw takes its name from the Waxhaws, both the name for the area and the name for the Indian tribe that once inhabited it. The community dates back to the 1700s, but it wasn't until 1888 that the railroad, laying tracks to Atlanta, brought prosperity. Tracks still run through the center of town along the green, grassy strip dividing two rows of stores.

The community was once dependent on cotton, but when the fiber lost its luster in the early 1960s, Waxhaw reshaped itself as an antique and fine dining center. The Town currently has dozens of specialty shops and dining ranging from mom & pop restaurants to fine dining bistros. (Not all shops are clustered together, so explore.).

The Waxhaw Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places, and Waxhaw has some wonderful old houses near the center of town. Residents and town government are also working on beautification plans. A beautiful Town Park is conveniently located in downtown Waxhaw. For new housing nearby, look along NC 75 East & West of Waxhaw, as well as Hwy 16 North of Waxhaw.

Near Waxhaw is Cane Creek Park, a 1,050-acre park that draws visitors with its beauty and its activities. A lot of folks had a hand in this park, which opened in 1978. The facility, on Harkey Road south of Waxhaw, was a cooperative venture between Union County, the Union Conservation District and the Soil Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Source: Waxhaw NC


Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Alamance County, North Carolina

Alamance County, NC Facts and Information

Alamance County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It coincides with the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Formed in 1849 from Orange County to the east, Alamance County has been the site of significant historical events, textiles, manufacturing, and agriculture in North Carolina.

As of 2006, the estimated population of the county and MSA was 142,661. Its county seat is Graham.

Before being formed as a county, the region had at least one known small Southeastern tribe of Native American in the 1700s - the Sissipahaw who lived in the area bound by modern Saxapahaw, Hawfields and Haw River locations in the county European Americans entered the region largely following Native American trading paths that became the basis of the railroad and interstate highway routes[4]. The county was formed January 29, 1849 from Orange County. It was named after Great Alamance Creek, site of the Battle of Alamance (May 16, 1771), in which militia under the command of Governor William Tryon crushed the Regulator movement. The Great Alamance Creek, and in turn the Little Alamance Creek, according to legend, were named after a local Native American word to describe the blue mud that was found at the bottom of the creeks.

Several other small battles occurred during the American Revolution in the Alamance County area during the lead-up to the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, including Pyle's Massacre and the Battle of Lindley's Mill, and the Battle of Clapp's Mill.

Civil War and aftermath
In 1861, the United States began to fragment due to growing questions of states' rights concerning issues of money, agriculture, representation, and slavery. In February of that year, a peace conference was held in Washington, DC. North Carolina sent five delegates to this conference, including Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin of Haw River, an Alamance County community. Justice Ruffin was opposed to secession, but was voted down. Later on, President Buchanan said that if Ruffin had persisted, the war might have been averted. In March, 1861, Alamance County residents voted against North Carolina's secession from the Union, 1,114 to 254. Hostilities would later prove that vote moot.

Alamance County joined the rest of North Carolina as the state split off from the Union and joined the Confederate States. Although no battles took place in the county itself, Alamance County did send its share of sons and brothers to the front lines. Only in the last months of the war did the residents of the county see a significant number of troops. Most important of these events was when President Jefferson Davis dictated a note to General Johnston for Union General Sherman. General Johnston delivered that note, stopping in Company Shops to drop off some of the last of his men.

Alamance County Courthouse in Graham, NC.Some of the most significant effects of the Civil War were seen after the war. Alamance County briefly became a center of natioanl attention when, in 1870, a confrontation between local residents and an apparently corrupt Army colonel led to several people being wrongfully accused and arrested for various crimes. Only after involvement by a U. S. District Judge were these men and women freed and cleared of crimes. This event came to be known as the Kirk-Holden War, and it lead to the impeachment and removal of Governor William Holden by the North Carolina Legislature in 1871.

Textiles
The Holt family began the textile industry in the county in the 1800s. Textiles became the county's largest source of industry and nearly every community in the county contained a textile mill by the early 1900s. Most of the mills were located along the Haw River which provided a cheap easy source of energy. Glencoe, Saxapahaw, Swepsonville, Bellemont, Alamance, Haw River and Burlington all contained textile mills and all these communities were located on the Haw River or tributaries of the river. The Holt's became famous for producing "Alamance Plaids" used mainly in tablecloths. Most of the plants have now gone out of business. Burlington was, also, home to Burlington Industries.

Dairy industry
The county was once the state leader in dairy production. Several dairies including Melville Dairy in Burlington were headquartered in the county. With increasing real estate prices and a slump in milk prices, most dairy farms have been sold and many of them developed for real estate purposes.

Airplanes and radars
During World War II Fairchild built airplanes at a plant on the eastern side of Burlington. Among the planes built at the plant were the AT-21 gunner used to train bomber pilots. Near the Fairchild plant was the Western Electric Burlington works. The plant built radar equipment and guidance systems for missiles on top of many other electronics for the government. The guidance system for the Titan missile was built there. The plant was closed in 1992 and sat abandoned until 2005, when it was purchased by a local businessman for manufacturing

Politics
Alamance County has provided North Carolina with three of its governors and two U. S. Senators: Governor Thomas Holt, Governor and U. S. Senator Kerr Scott, Governor Robert W. (Bob) Scott (Kerr Scott's son), and U. S. Senator B. Everett Jordan.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,126 km² (435 mi²). 1,114 km² (430 mi²) of it is land and 12 km² (5 mi²) of it (1.10%) is water.

The county is in the Piedmont physiographical region. The county has a general rolling terrain with the Cane Creek Mountains rising to over 970 ft.[7] in the south central part of the county just north of Snow Camp. Bass Mountain one of the prominent hills in the range is home to a world renowned Bluegrass music festival every year. There are also isolated monadnocks in the northern part of the county that rise to near or over 900 ft. above sea level.

The largest river that flows through Alamance County is the Haw River, which eventually feeds into Jordan Lake in Chatham County, eventually leading to the Cape Fear River. The county is also home to numerous creeks, streams, and ponds, including the Great Alamance Creek, where a portion of the Battle of Alamance was fought. There are 3 large municipal reservoirs: Lake Cammack, Lake Mackintosh, and Graham-Mebane Lake (formerly Quaker Lake).

ARTS
Paramount Theater serves as the center of dramatic presentations in the community.

Old Dam at Cedarock Park

Alamance County, Burlington, Graham, Elon, Haw River, Swepsonville, and Mebane all have other small parks that are not listed here. Major parks include:

Alamance County
Cedarock Park, located 6 miles south of the Intersection of Interstate 85/40 and NC Highway 49. Cedarock Park is home to the Cedarock Historic Farm, an Old Mill Dam, and 2 Disc Golf Courses.

City of Burlington
City Park, located in Burlington off of U.S. Highway 70 (Church Street), and is home to a Dentzel Carousel built between 1906 and 1910 and several train-based rides, signifying Burlington's place in history as the Company Shops Train Depot.
Indian Valley Golf Course, an 18-hole operated by the City of Burlington
Lake Mackintosh Marina, located off of Huffman Mill Rd.

ECONOMY
Today, Alamance County is often described as a "bedroom" community, with many residents living in the county and working elsewhere due to low tax rates, although the county is still a major player in the textile and manufacturing industries.

The current county-wide tax rate for Alamance County residents is 57.5 cents per $100 valuation. This does not include tax rates imposed by municipalities or fire districts.

Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 130,800 people, 51,584 households, and 35,541 families residing in the county. The population density was 117/km² (304/mi²). There were 55,463 housing units at an average density of 50/km² (129/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 75.61% White, 18.76% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.19% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 6.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 51,584 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,168, and the median income for a family was $46,479. Males had a median income of $31,906 versus $23,367 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,391. About 7.60% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Famous People From Alamance County NC

Jacob Brent, born in Graham, starred as Mr. Mistoffelees in the broadway and home video version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats.

Billy Bryan, Center for the Denver Broncos from 1977-1988 grew up in Burlington.

Several generations of Alex Haley's family may have lived in Alamance County as noted in his 1976 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family - coming from Africa to Virginia, to Caswell County to Alamance County and moving to Tennessee after the Emancipation Proclamation

Governor Thomas Holt, Governor of North Carolina from 1891-1893.

John "John Boy" Isley born and raised in Graham, is "John Boy" of the John Boy and Billy Show broadcast on radio stations around the nation.

Charley Jones, born in Alamance County, major league baseball player

U. S. Senator B. Everett Jordan, U. S. Senator (Class 2) from 1958-1973

Don Kernodle, born in Burlington, wrestler who appeared in Paradise Alley with Sylvester Stallone

Jack McKeon, Manager of the 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins has lived in Alamance County.

Blanche Taylor Moore, a convicted murderer whose life story was portrayed in the television movie "Black Widow: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story", starring Elizabeth Montgomery.

Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps, North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner (2001-2003)

Tequan Richmond, born in Burlington, stars as Drew Rock in Everybody Hates Chris, and played a young Ray Charles in the movie Ray

Governor Robert W. (Bob) Scott (Kerr Scott's son), Governor of North Carolina from 1969-1973

Governor and U. S. Senator Kerr Scott, Governor of North Carolina from 1949-1953, U. S. Senator (Class 2) from 1954-1958


Nash County, North Carolina

Nash County, NC Facts and Information

Nash County was formed in 1777 from the western part of Edgecombe County. Located in the northeast section of the state, it is bounded by Edgecombe, Wilson, Johnston, Franklin, and Halifax counties. It was named for General Francis Nash (1742-77), of Hillsborough, a soldier who was mortally wounded while fighting under General George Washington at Germantown during the American Revolution. Nashville, the county seat, was settled in 1780 and chartered in 1815. First land grants in the area date back to 1743.

Nash County has a total area of 542.71 square miles, with 540.33 square miles of land area. The average temperature is 61.9 degrees with the average temperature in January of 39° F and the average July temperature of 78° F. The average rainfall is 43 inches. The elevation of Nash County is 180 feet above sea level.

After the Revolution, which touched the county only lightly, Nash County settled down to a pace that made it one of the State's leading farm areas. Since the Civil War, it has been known primarily as a leading agricultural county, but it has experienced steady industrial growth since that time. Currently, only 2.4% of the total employment within the county is classified as agricultural. However, Nash County ranks 8th in area devoted to farmland in North Carolina.

Nash County could be classified as either a northern coastal plain county or a far eastern piedmont county. It has a primarily rolling terrain with sandy soil, however, brick and tile clays are found along the Tar River, which flows through Nash County and Rocky Mount. A granite belt is located relatively close to the surface and extends westward from the city for about 20 miles.

The average rainfall in Nash County is 43 inches. The average temperature is 61.9 degrees with the January average temperature 39 degrees Fahrenheit and the average July temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nash County Population
According to the most recent census results, the population of Nash County in 2000 was 87,420 making it the 30th largest county in the state. The largest city within the county is Rocky Mount, with a population of 55,893 according to the most recent census results, population of the Rocky Mount MSA was 145,571. Other Nash County towns and their latest census counts are:

Nashville - 4,309
Red Oak - 2,723
Sharpsburg - 2,421
Spring Hope - 1,261
Middlesex - 838
Dortches - 809
Whitakers - 799
Bailey - 670
Castalia - 340
Momeyer - 291

Nash County has an abundant water supply from the Tar River and its tributary creeks. A 1,400 acre reservoir on the Tar River, southwest of Rocky Mount, was completed in 1971. In addition to ensuring an abundant water supply, it offers attractive recreational areas with fishing, water skiing and boating.

HEALTH CARE
Nash Health Care Systems encompasses Nash General Hospital, Nash Day Hospital, Coastal Plain Hospital & Counseling Center and Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center. Nash General Hospital, a 300-bed acute care facility, was opened in 1971. This seven-story facility was the first hospital in the state to have all-private rooms. Expansion has created Nash Day Hospital, the first freestanding outpatient facility in the nation. Nash Day offers radiology, radiation oncology, surgery, rehabilitation, laboratory and endoscopy services. Nash Day is also home to the Rocky Mount Heartburn Treatment Center, a nationally recognized center of excellence for the treatment of heartburn. Coastal Plain Hospital & Psychiatric Center is a 50-bed psychiatric care and substance abuse center. Opened in November 1999, Aldridge Rehab Center is a 23-bed comprehensive rehabilitation state-of-the-art facility featuring a therapeutic swimming pool and gymnasium as well as an innovative walking garden. The number for Nash Health Care Systems is (252) 443-8000.

Edgecombe-Nash Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services is located at 500 Nash Medical Arts Mall on the Nash General Hospital campus. This agency provides and/or makes referrals to private vendors for a number of services for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse needs. These include outpatient therapy, emergency services, consultation and education, case management; Referral to inpatient psychiatric services for children, adolescents, adults, and elderly individuals who are acutely mentally ill; Referral to Inpatient hospitalization detoxification services for individuals who are alcohol or drug abusers; referral to Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program for consumers with severe and persistent mental illness; Adult developmental activity program (ADAP) for individuals who are developmentally disabled; Alcohol and drug education traffic schools (ADETS), Drug education schools (DES) and Inpatient hospitalization detoxification services for individuals who are alcohol or drug abusers; Provision of and referral to either social setting, non-hospital medical, or outpatient detoxification services for individuals who are alcoholics as well as forensic services for individuals of all disability groups. Their phone number is (252) 937-8141.

TRANSPORTATION
Nash County features a range of transportation facilities. Served by the main line of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, along the eastern boundary, the Nash County Railroad serves the central portion of the county and the southern portion of the county is served by Norfolk and Southern Railroad. The county is also served by a network of major highways including US Highways 301, 264, 64; Interstate 95 and state highways 97, 48, 58, and 44. There are also numerous motor freight carrier terminals in the Rocky Mount area.

Regional air service as well as shuttle service to Raleigh-Durham International Airport is provided by the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport which opened in 1970. Located on NC Highway 97, RWI is just a short drive of 6.5 miles from Rocky Mount and only minutes from industrial traffic routes.

Carolina Trailways, a regional bus company that has been operating in North Carolina since the 1920s, now owned by Greyhound, provides scheduled intercity bus service to the Rocky Mount Terminal.

North Carolina's state-supported Carolinian and Piedmont trains and Amtrak's north-south Silver Meteor, Silver Palm and Silver Star trains have scheduled daily service to the Rocky Mount train station.

Nash-Edgecombe Transportation Service (NETS) provides subscription and dial-a-ride transportation for rural residents of Nash County. Dial-A-Ride transportation services (DARTS), operates dial-a-ride paratransit service for certain authorized residents of the City of Rocky Mount who begin and end their trips within 3/4 mile of Rocky Mount Transit's fixed routes.

Rocky Mount Transit operates fixed-route buses for the city of Rocky Mount.

EDUCATION
Rocky Mount is the home of North Carolina Wesleyan College. This four-year co-educational liberal arts college began operations in 1960 on a 200-acre campus. Shaw University of Raleigh has a center in Rocky Mount and offers a component of liberal arts instruction. The Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools serve 17,480 students from 28 campuses including three consolidated high schools and one alternative high school.

Private and parochial schools are also available in the area. Our Lady of Perpetual Help enrolls approximately 250 students in the P-7 program. Falls Road Baptist School, Grace Christian School, NEW Christian Academy, The Enfield Academy and the Rocky Mount Academy are K-12 programs enrolling approximately 1,100 students.

Nash County's continuing educational needs are being met by Nash Community College, offering a full curriculum in vocational college transfer courses as well as providing free literacy and basic skills education to adults. Their program includes courses in trades and industry, business administration, information technology, nursing and secretarial science.

North Carolina State University and East Carolina University are an easy one-hour drive from Nash County.

CULTURAL
The Rocky Mount Arts and Crafts Center offers unique opportunities in the visual and performing arts for the Nash County area. The Center contains an art gallery, theater, classrooms and an art studio. Regular art exhibits, courses in interior design, painting, sculpture, ceramics, crewel, theater-related courses and other arts and crafts activities are offered to all ages.

The area's cultural activities are also enhanced by the Community Concert Series of Symphony Orchestras, the North Carolina Wesleyan Concert Series and professional plays at North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Braswell Library houses houses Adult Collections and Resources with over 23,000 fiction, 33,000 nonfiction, and 2,500 reference titles, 370 periodical holdings, 2400 audio and 700 videos. The Children's and Youth Collections and Resources holds over 19,000 fiction, 11,000 nonfiction, and 560 reference titles and over 1000 videos and 1,000 cassette titles plus 30 magazines. A Spanish language collection of books, audio and videos has over 400 titles. The Nash County Bookmobile maintains an on-board collection that numbers between 2,500 and 3,000 titles, and the shelves back at their library office hold another 6,500 or so. The Bookmobile borrows from Braswell's circulating collection when necessary.

The Spring Hope Historical museum is sponsored and maintained by the Spring Hope Historical Association and is dedicated to the premise that a preservation of the past is a true legacy for the generations to come. Located on Main St., Spring Hope, NC.

RECREATIONAL
Nash County and Rocky Mount also have abundant recreational opportunities. The Tar River Reservoir provides an excellent place for all water-related sports. Fine hunting and fishing are found within the community and throughout eastern North Carolina.

The city of Rocky Mount and Nashville boast facilities for recreational programs in tennis, softball and picnicking. Rocky Mount's Sunset Park has many parks and playgrounds, a miniature train, carousel and city zoo. There are many activities at this park including a miniature train, historic carousel, picnic shelters, lighted tennis courts, a softball field, and lighted basketball courts. Recent additions include Spray Park - a one-of-a-kind attraction featuring 10 computer controlled water spray fountains within a traditional playground structure, and Skate Park for skate boarding enthusiasts. Other local municipalities provide various recreational programs for their residents as well.

Since 1954, the City of Rocky Mount Children's Museum has provided an educational program for young people by interpreting and exhibiting significant objects and enriching their lives through the development of proper attitudes through creative outlets. An emphasis is placed on providing children with "hands on" experiences of the latest technological advances possible as well as giving them an understanding of the history that led us to these advances. The museum has been the subject of many state and regional publications, including "Southern Living" magazine. Ongoing programs at the museum include: classes, animal and science talks, birthday parties, outreach presentations to schools and curator opportunities. Each month, members of the Tar River Astronomy Club gather at the Museum for programs and special viewing.

Excellent golfing facilities are available at courses in the Rocky Mount, Nashville and Spring Hope areas.

AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY
In the second quarter of 2001, Nash County had a labor force of 41,765. Of this total work force, 4.1% were engaged in agricultural employment and 23.2% were engaged in manufacturing jobs. Growing workforce industry groups are the retail trade (19.8%) and service (20.1%).

Agricultural products from Nash County include tobacco, poultry, swine, corn, forestry, soybeans, sweet potatoes, cotton, peanuts, cucumbers, small grain, beef cattle, dairy cattle and products, nursery and horticultural plants.

Nash County enjoys a rare blend of rural lifestyle coupled with the economic advantages of a diversified agricultural, industrial and service-based economy. Nash County is also positioned as a major gateway between the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions of North Carolina.


Thomasville North Carolina

Thomasville North Carolina

Thomasville NC is a city in Davidson County, in the Lexington-Thomasville metro area. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state's oldest festival, "Everybody's Day". Built around the local railway system, Thomasville is home to the oldest railroad depot in the state, just a few hundred feet from the city's most notable landmark, "The Big Chair".

Established in 1852, Thomasville NC celebrated its 150th birthday in 2002 with 55 events and celebrations. Thomasville's history can be traced to when a $3 million state tax was passed in the 1840's. NC State Senator John W. Thomas thought this would be a great place to start a community. Why, you might ask? Because the state tax was to build the railroad system through North Carolina and this area would be right along the tracks in almost the geographic center of the state.

Thomasville's history is rich in so many ways. City Cemetery is believed to be the only cemetery with Confederate and Federal soldiers buried in a common grave. The North Carolina Vietnam Veterans' Memorial is located in the City and is highlighted by a brick wall with 1,647 bricks having the name of a North Carolinian killed or missing in Vietnam etched into each brick. Thomasville hosts North Carolina's oldest festival called "Everybody's Day" that last Saturday in September each year. The festival grew from an annual attendance of 25,000 to 70,000 after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2002, the enthusiasm did not dwindle, instead, the crowd swelled to 80,000 people enjoying the music, crafts, food, games, etc.


Gastonia North Carolina

Gastonia North Carolina

Gastonia, Gaston County NC offers you a wonderful combination of gardens, parks, historic sites, and shopping delights. Gastonia is the premier city in the Charlotte metro area for your business, associates, and families

Gastonia is located in the heart of the Piedmont section of the State of North Carolina and is the county seat of Gaston County. An All American City, it is the second largest city in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill Metropolitan Area. Gastonia's population is 70,278 which has increased 17 percent in the last decade. Gaston County's population is 190,365, which has grown 7.3 percent from 1993-2003. Gastonia is governed by a Mayor and six-member City Council all of whom are elected on a non-partisan basis. The City provides traditional municipal services such as those relating to Water and Sewer, Electricity, Public Transportation, Recreation Programs, Police and Fire Protection, Community Development, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, as well as other services. The City of Gastonia is also home to the Schiele Museum of Natural History and Lynn Planetarium, an outstanding facility for learning and leisure.


Source: Gastonia NC

Lexington North Carolina

Lexington North Carolina

Lexington, North Carolina is known as the Barbecue Capital of the World. But hickory smoked pork isn't the only thing that's cooking here. So is the opportunity for expanding and relocating companies. Site Selection magazine ranked us 8th among U.S. "micropolitan statistical areas." A Lexington NC location puts you in one of the mid-Atlantic's most dynamic and desirable metro areas (the Piedmont Triad), in one of America's most business-friendly states. With outstanding access to markets, exceptional labor and job training resources, highly competitive cost factors and an appealing small town atmosphere

If a location that is an hour from the Blue Ridge Mountains and just four hours from the North and South Carolina beaches isn't enough, Lexington's special events and everyday attractions are sure to demonstrate our ability to stand alone as a jewel of the Piedmont. The newly renovated Finch Park is a hub for community activity throughout the year. It serves as host for activities ranging from daily leisure trips, youth and adult soccer, baseball and softball games, and events such as the growing Multicultural Festival and the Fantastic July 4th Festival.

If you prefer your strolls to be on a street sidewalk as opposed to a park trail, our revitalized uptown should suit you fine. An organization called Uptown Lexington, Inc. has worked feverishly to pump new life into this historical part of our City. We encourage you to walk our streets and see for yourself all of the success that has been directed that way.

After your stroll of uptown, you can't go wrong by stopping in at one of our frequently visited tourist attractions. For those who appreciate fine things, the Bob Timberlake Gallery is a good choice and for those who appreciate the faster things, the Richard Childress Racing Shop and Museum is right on track.

For a taste of big city atmosphere, the BBQ Festival brings over 100,000 visitors to Main Street each October and is one of the nations top 10 rated food festivals. We think these attractions along with our small town culture make Lexington NC a place you'll never want to leave.


Source: Lexington NC

Kings Mountain North Carolina

Kings Mountain North Carolina

Kings Mountain prides itself on being one of the most livable cities in America. Neighbors benefit from exceptional medical facilities, vibrant neighborhood business districts, and a solid network of parks, community centers, and libraries. With a strong economy, safe streets and a diverse workforce, Kings Mountain is poised for continued success in fostering new enterprise throughout the city.

Kings Mountain is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in an area known as the Piedmont of North Carolina. Ideally located between Greenville, S.C. and Charlotte, N.C., it is served by I-85 and U.S. Highways 74 and 29.

Kings Mountain continues to grow as more and more people make their homes and bring their businesses here. The county, ideally located in the foothills of North Carolina, is home to comfortable climates, top-notch educational institutions and healthcare facilities, recreational opportunities, and friendly people.

Whether you are interested in outdoor recreation, the arts, dining and shopping, business and industry, education or healthcare, we have it all right here in Kings Mountain.

In the county, you will find manufacturers of truck cabs, compact discs, transmissions, aircraft parts, ceramic capacitor material, electric motors and production equipment, as well as some specialized textile companies.

Gross retail sales for Cleveland County exceed $1 billion a year. The major retail areas are the Cleveland Mall, with large retailers such as Sears, Belk, and Goody's; and the Kings Mountain, Boiling Springs and Uptown Shelby areas, which boast specialty shops and an abundance of restaurants. In Cleveland County, you can eat or shop at a well-known establishment or choose one of our independently-owned restaurants or shops.

Agriculture continues to be an important part of the county’s economy. Major crops are fescue for hay and grazing, soybeans, wheat, cotton, alfalfa, tomatoes, and summer squash. In addition, apples, peaches, and various small fruits and greenhouse crops are produced. The animal enterprises primarily consist of beef cattle, dairy, broilers, and turkeys. Cleveland County also has a few dairy farms still in operation.

Incorporated on February 11, 1874, Kings Mountain NC takes its name from the historical Revolutionary battle fought five miles South, thus bringing meaning to our motto "The Historical City." This battle was very important in early American history, being proclaimed "the turning point of the American Revolution in the South."

W.A. Mauney was the first citizen of Kings Mountain. He was the first man to establish a home, opened the first store, was the first postmaster, builder of the first cotton mill and pioneered in the banking business of that general section. W.A. Mauney also cut many paths and roads through the wilderness.

In 1870-72 the building of the Charlotte-Atlanta Airline Railway was the impetus for the founding of Kings Mountain town. Farmers had no vision of turning the land into town lots or industrial sites, but men of other parts of the county and adjacent areas saw the possibilities for development. Freno Dilling moved his sawmill from Cherryville to the site of the present Kings Mill on N. Piedmont Avenue in May, 1872. The first railroad track was laid in the fall of that same year. The Dilling sawmill supplied some of the cross ties and his well furnished water to the railroad engines.

Today Interstate 85 and US Highway 74 run through the City, making Kings Mountain ideally located for transportation needs of its many businesses. Kings Mountain industries were firmly based on textiles in the early years, but transportation, along with three established Industrial Parks have diversified the business climate. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is nearby, giving us a virtual lifeline to the World.

An indoor natatorium and a new multi-million dollar Junior Olympic Swimming Pool and Sports Complex offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family.

Gardner Webb University is only a thirty minute drive and UNCC is forty five minutes away. Both schools are four year degree institutions offering excellent masters and doctorate programs.

The location and history not only makes Kings Mountain unique but also the fact that we own and operate our own utilities of Gas, Electric, Water and Sewer providing one-stop shopping convenience for those requiring our services. We also own John Henry Moss Lake, which not only provides recreational activities, but also provides our city's water supply.

With the Kings Mountain National Military Park, and two state parks within a five minute drive from the center of town, we have the opportunity of enjoying nature as well as the history of our area. Over one million visitors pass through these parks each year.



Friday, July 20, 2007

Cary, North Carolina's Borders Bulge as More Find Nirvana within City Limits

Cary, North Carolina's Borders Bulge as More Find Nirvana within City Limits

According to the latest census figures Cary, North Carolina, is the 8th fastest growing city in the nation. Disgruntled with overpriced housing markets, many find Cary an attractive alternative.

Cary, NC (PRWEB) July 17, 2007 -- Across the county, residents disenchanted with their local housing markets are noticing the grass growing greener in Cary, NC. According to the new census figures for last year*, Cary grew by 5,451 residents (a 5.1% increase), making it the fastest growing city in North Carolina and #8 in the Nation. To accommodate the influx of families, Wake County has opened 7 brand new schools for 2007 and has encouraged more year-round schedules to better utilize classroom space.

Cary, listed in Money Magazine's Top 5 places to live, attracts new residents for several reasons: excellent public schools, affordable housing, reasonable taxes, strong job market, low crime, a mild climate, and genuinely friendly people.

Many national housing markets, especially on the east and west coasts, rise and fall like a rollercoaster. For example, in the suburbs of Washington DC a half a million dollars buys a mere 1200sqft fixer-upper. Meanwhile home prices in the Cary area have appreciated slowly and steadily (Averaging 3% to 8% over the last 6 years). $500,000 spent in Cary purchases a brand new 3,200 sqft dream home.

NC and Wake county's taxes and insurance are very reasonable. Using the median Cary home price of $256,900, property taxes are roughly $2,500/year and insurance is around $500/year. This alone inspires many homeowners in New York and New Jersey to start whistling Dixie, as they pay obscenely high taxes that, in many cases, rival or exceed their home's principal and interest payment.

The Job Market in Cary is healthy and lucrative. Major centers for employment are in neighboring Raleigh, the State Capitol, and the Research Triangle Park (RTP), the largest research park in the world. Forbes magazine recently voted Raleigh the #1 city in the nation for Business and Careers. With the good paying jobs and the reasonable home prices, Cary has one of the best housing affordability indexes in the nation.

Cary, North Carolina is the 8th safest city in the Nation. Perhaps this is due to the Bible belt's religious influence or the triangles distinction of having more PhD's per capita. Either way, families feel safe in Cary's streets and parks. Cary is part of the much celebrated Wake County Public School system and many of the top performing schools serve Cary's neighborhoods.

Drawn by the mild climate and high quality of life, retirees are moving to the area in increasing numbers. Currently the third most popular retirement destination, NARA's study shows that "North Carolina is projected to overtake Florida as the number one retirement state over the next 10 years." With Rex, Wake and Duke Hospitals nearby residents enjoy some of the finest health care in the nation.

And lastly, most are quite fond of the verdant landscapes and weather in Cary. While summers are hot and humid, winters are short, pleasant and mild. Spring and fall are long, lovely and colorful.

*Census date from the July 2005 to July 2006 sampling period

Source: IGRealestate


Slumping housing market hits Charlotte area

Slumping housing market hits Charlotte SC area
Region sees 13% drop in sales, but average price is up 4%


Charlotte-area home sales fell by double digits in June, the largest dip of 2007.

The local housing market has been up and down by single-digit percentages since last September, which saw the first drop in sales in more than three years. Real estate agents say Charlotte is feeling the impact of slowing sales in other cities, magnified by rising interest rates.

Sales in the $300,000 to $750,000 price range are especially slow, agents say, while sales of $1 million-plus homes remain surprisingly healthy.

The good news is that prices are rising slightly, unlike those in many U.S. markets where they're falling.

Carolina Multiple Listing Services released its June sales figures for the region Tuesday. There are two ways to view the latest numbers, and both point to a slowdown.

• In June, closings on homes, condos and townhouses fell 13 percent from the same month last year. Because sales are seasonal, the best measure of monthly numbers is to compare them with the same month of the previous year.

• For the first six months of 2007, total sales through the MLS dipped 4 percent from the same period the year before. Experts say a larger sample paints a more accurate picture of the market.

Real estate pros say Charlotte has escaped the market meltdowns that have hit other cities. "Things definitely have slowed, but we still have an incredible market," said Dan Cottingham of real estate company Cottingham-Chalk. "Charlotte is definitely bucking the national trend."

That national trend, though, is being felt here.

Realtors compare slow housing markets in other cities to bad weather at distant airports. If it snows in Chicago, planes are grounded in Charlotte. If newcomers can't sell their homes back in the Midwest, they can't buy here.

That's not a new issue, but one that has more impact here as news gets worse across the country.

The National Association of Realtors won't report June home sales until later this month, but national existing-home sales in May were down more than 10 percent from the same month last year. It was double that in some cities.

In the Charlotte area, sales dipped only 5 percent in May.

"Our market has been more affected by people coming from elsewhere who can't sell the house where they're coming from than from things in our market," said Dot Munson, president of the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association. "That's been building for a while."

Cottingham agreed, and said rising interest rates also have eroded sales. While rates are still relatively low, at about 6.4 percent for a 30-year mortgage, they've inched up about three-quarters of a point in the past 90 days.

In fact, Cottingham said, he's surprised sales haven't slowed more, considering the national slump and rising rates. "It's like two perfect storms," he said.

Other measures of the Charlotte market remain healthy.

The average price of a home sold through the MLS in June was $248,048. That's up 4 percent from the same month last year.

It would take about seven months to sell all the houses, condos and townhouses currently on the market in the Charlotte region at the present rate. That hasn't changed much since March and actually has improved in June.

Cottingham said some parts of Florida have more than a year's supply.

The news is even better in Mecklenburg County. David Barnhardt of First Charlotte Properties says Mecklenburg, which traditionally accounts for about half of the area's listings, has a five-month supply.

Walter Molony of the National Association of Realtors says a six-month supply is considered balanced between sellers and buyers. More than a six-month supply becomes a buyer's market. Less than six months becomes good news for sellers.

The supply is creeping up across the country. Molony said the national average is eight to nine months.

It's taking a bit longer to sell a home here than it did a year ago, Realtors say.

Munson, who is with Re/Max Executive Realty, said an average of 90 to 120 days would reflect a balanced market. "When it gets beyond that, something is not right," she said.

In June, the average time on the market was 115 days, at the upper end of the range.

Munson, Cottingham and others say the slowest-moving homes in Charlotte now are in the $300,000 to $750,000 price range. Buyers of more expensive homes don't depend as heavily on selling their current homes to buy their next homes.

Especially hard hit are owners trying to sell relatively new homes in areas where builders are still active. Builders always tend to set prices in neighborhoods where they're building. The slowing market elsewhere has only increased pressure on them to sell in Charlotte.



Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Wake Forest North Carolina


Wake Forest North Carolina

Located in northern Wake County, Wake Forest NC is a progressive community of over 25,000 residents with a vibrant downtown that boasts more than 100 businesses, including several outstanding restaurants and specialty shops. Mindful of its rich heritage, the downtown is also an officially registered historic district. Representative of its academic history, the town is the home of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Southeastern College at Wake Forest.

Our community is proud of its rich history, leaders who make a difference, numerous shopping and dining opportunities, and tremendous cultural diversity. Parks, green spaces, and tree lined streets add to the livability. Our schools, medical facilities, businesses, arts and attractions also contribute to our wonderful quality of life.

We also offer a vast array of services to assist our residents, the backbone of our community.

Wake Forest is a unique community with a thriving downtown where you can walk just about anywhere to shop, eat or simply visit.

Situated less than 10 miles north of Raleigh and approximately 250 miles south of Washington, DC, Wake Forest is a prime location for anyone wishing to enjoy a quality way of life with all the benefits of city living. The community offers quick, easy access to the Triangle's first class universities, the Research Triangle Park, Atlantic Coast Conference athletics, professional sporting events, and world renowned golfing events. In addition, the beach is just over two hours away, while the mountains are a three to four hour drive, so you are never very far from North Carolina’s most popular vacation destinations.

Several churches in the area reveal a strong spiritual value in the community, while the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce actively promotes the area through family activities and programs that encourage businesses to prosper.