Tag Archives: nc small towns

Small towns continue to appeal to folks…

Holly Springs, N.C.: Quiet town in ‘Research Triangle’ emerges as new second-home market

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2012

Not all that long ago, to suggest Holly Springs, N.C., as a destination would have been a stretch. Up until the last decade of the 20th century, the central North Carolina town led a quiet existence, generally bypassed by the state’s economic ascent as a high-tech hub. It was not on anyone’s radar.

In the past 20 years, however, the town has made enormous strides in growth and development, putting itself squarely on the regional map as a place ripe for business and personal life. Today, Holly Springs is blooming, thanks to its proximity to the technology incubator that is the Research Triangle, formed by the cities of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

About 17 miles southwest of Raleigh, Holly Springs’ current and future prosperity hinges on its new role as both an environment conducive to enterprise — Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis built its $600 million flu vaccine manufacturing facility here — and convenient for upwardly mobile professionals seeking an easy commute into the tri-city area.

Real estate agents say that the bedroom community’s property market is dominated by commuters rather than people buying second homes. But many of the same attributes that make Holly Springs attractive to working couples and families also give it allure to those in the market for vacation getaways or retirement homes.

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NC 4th of July Festival in Southport!

Celebrate the day of our nation’s independence at Southport’s NC 4th of July Festival. Festival events include: parade, naturalization ceremony, over 100 arts & craft booths, food vendors, 5K Freedom Walk/Run, live entertainment, art show, & beach day events on July 1st. The National 9/11 Flag, currently on a journey across America, will be making its only stop in NC in Southport on July 3rd & 4th. It will be featured at the Naturalization Ceremony, Parade and Sea Notes Concert. The public is invited to participate in the flag stitching ceremony on July 4th from 2 to 6 pm at the Southport Baptist Church Christian Ministry Center.

Event: NC 4th of July Festival
Town: Southport
Date(s): 7/1/2011 – 7/4/2011
Time: Event Times Vary
Price Range: Most events are free.
URL: www.nc4thofjuly.com
Email: events@southport-oakisland.com
Phone: 910-457-5578 or 800-457-6964
Address: Southport & Oak Island

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Sylva, NC: More than just a cool courthouse…

Welcome to Sylva… a progressive small town in Jackson County situated amidst the Great Smoky Mountains. Downtown, a Main Street community, has many restaurants and shops along its tree-lined streets.

Educational opportunities are virtually unlimited, with Western Carolina University only 7 miles away in Cullowhee, and Southwestern Community College in Sylva.

Recreational opportunities are numerous and diverse here. They have a state of the art playground designed by our children and built by the community.

The town owns a pristine tract of land, Pinnacle Park, that boasts hiking trails, waterfalls, and a town view from 5,000 feet.

The Tuckasegee River is known for its whitewater and trout populations.  And the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 30 minute drive away.

For more, visit http://www.mountainlovers.com!

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North Carolina Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro!

nc watermelon festivalEnjoy a complimentary slice of the State’s finest melons in Historic Murfreesboro, NC!

This year they are celebrating our 25th anniversary of the Watermelon Festival! Be sure to come out and be a part of the festivities. The Watermelon Festival promotes eating healthy — keeping your heart strong. Check out these watermelon recipes.

Daily events include:
New Home and Garden section
• Largest watermelon contest
• Large antiques/collectibles/crafts fair
• Fantastic variety of food
• Amusements rides
• Street dances each night
• Free watermelon slices
• W atermelon games round out the activities

For more info, visit: http://www.murfreesboronc.org/watermelon.htm

nc watermelon festivalMurfreesboro is a historic community, incorporated on January 6, 1787, and located along the banks of the Meherrin River in the Inner Banks of North Carolina – just a few miles from the Virginia state line, about 60 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia, and about 90 miles northeast of Raleigh.  Murfreesboro is in located in Hertford County, NC, which is characterized by historic communities nestled in some of the most unique agricultural areas of North Carolina.

Visit: http://www.townofmurfreesboro.com

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Waxhaw, NC: Proud of Our Past…Passionate About Our Future

waxhaw town

Source: Wiki

Waxhaw takes its name from the Waxhaws, named after the historic American Indian tribe that inhabited the region. The community was settled by European-Americans in the mid-1700s, of mostly German and Scots-Irish origin. They became subsistence farmers and were known for being independent. 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 birthplace, due to the proximity of the border.

The arrival of the railroad in 1901, with access to the markets of Atlanta, helped the town reach prosperity. The tracks were laid directly through the center of town, showing the importance of the railroad. They remain on the street, now bordered by a green, grassy strip dividing the rows of stores on each side.

Beginning in the late 1800s, the community was developed with cotton mills for manufacturing textiles. The railroad helped increase access for its products. Cotton manufacturing was important to the region through the 1940s. Postwar changes in the economy, with shifts of the textile industry to jobs to other areas and out of the country, required the community to adapt to new conditions.waxhaw train

Waxhaw has evolved as an antique and fine dining center. Its Small Town Main Street committee is working on an integrated approach to developing and marketing the historic center of town. The Town currently has dozens of specialty shops and dining ranging from mom & pop restaurants to fine dining bistros. The Waxhaw Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes retail businesses as well as architecturally significant houses near the center of town.

Residents and town government are working on additional improvement plans. The Town Park is located in the downtown area, as is a Skate Park for youths and skateboarding. New housing has been built along NC 75 to the east and west of town, as well as Hwy 16 to the north. Near Waxhaw is Cane Creek Park, a 1,050-acre (4.2 km2) park, featuring scenic areas and recreation activities. 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.

For more info, visit http://www.waxhaw.com

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Blowing Rock’s Winterfest

Blowing Rock’s 12th annual Winterfest is Jan. 28-31. This four-day celebration of everything winter is packed with activities and events for day-trippers and overnight guests alike.

Winterfest begins Thursday evening with “WinterFeast,” hosted by The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola Resort.

Culinary delights abound as the area’s fine restaurants come together for this once-a-year dining showcase.

There are seatings at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Friday and Saturday activities include “shop ’till you drop” at downtown shops and the Tanger Outlet Shoppes on the Parkway, a charity wine auction & tasting, afternoon hayrides and a bonfire at dusk.

There’s also a silent auction with items ranging from weekend stays at local hotels to clothing, dinners and jewelry.

The highlight of Winterfest is the Polar Plunge on Saturday morning. It features a contest of brave souls who jump into the icy waters of Chetola Lake while dressed in wacky costumes. Contestants vie for the coveted Golden Plunger Award, while spectators marvel at their lack of good sense.

Other Winterfest activities include: an ice carving competition, chili cookoff, live music, pancake breakfast and a pet show.

For more info, go to www.blowingrockwinterfest.com or call (877) 750-4636.

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

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Columbia, NC – Pride of Tyrrell County

Picture2“Columbia, Tyrrell County is home to tens of thousands of acres of protected lands, 85% of the entire county,  just waiting for you to explore! The ancient maritime forests remind us of time before human encroachment. You may be rewarded with an awe inspiring glimpse of soaring bald eagles or hear the cries of the parent ospreys protecting their huge nest perch precariously high in the overhead boughs. Wetlands provide critical habitat for more than 20 endangered, rare and threatened species including free roaming Red Wolves. So leave your car and put your feet on the earth. Turn off your phone and listen to the chatter of the birds. Dock your motor boat, Jet Ski and wave runner, put in a canoe and paddle the water to a slower pace and listen to the rhythms of your heart and breath.

Columbia on the Scuppernong features one of North Carolina’s most picturesque waterfronts and offers protected, deep-water anchorages along the town docks and marinas. In addition to the beautiful Scuppernong River, Tyrrell County is bordered on the north by the Albemarle Sound, the East Coast’s largest estuary and to the east by the Alligator River and sunsets to die for. Tyrrell County was formed in 1729 from Chowan, Bertie, Currituck and Pasquotank counties. Named for Sir John Tyrrell, one of the Lords Proprietors of the Carolina colony. Tyrrell County’s boundaries originally stretched westward from Roanoke Island to near present-day Tarboro. Picture1
In 1870 the territory was divided and resulted in what is now known as Tyrrell, Martin, Washington, and Dare counties. Elizabethtown, later renamed Columbia, was established on the banks of the Scuppernong River in 1793 and became the Tyrrell County seat in 1799.

To find out more about this “Mayberry”, please visit The Town of Columbia’s website: http://www.columbianc.com/

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

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