North Carolina Living Archives Page 5 of 5

North Carolina Living at Belmont Lake Preserve: The Top Ten Things to Love About Rocky Mount

The incredible amenities and convenient location of the premier NC golf and retirement community, Belmont Lake Preserve is complimented perfectly by the rich history and picturesque parks and outdoor scenery of the city of Rocky Mount. Local blogsite, the “Rocky Mount Review” recently gave a detailed reminder of all the fantastic North Carolina Living to be done in the city, as they chronicled their “Top Ten Things to Love About Rocky Mount, NC.”

The “hometown feel” of beautiful downtown Rocky Mount

One thing that continuously draws folks looking to retire or relocate and enjoy North Carolina Living is the growth and expansion in the state. Number 10 on the “Review’s” list spoke to this as they talked the revitalization of that “hometown feel” and of Downtown Rocky Mount’s New Beginnings. Ninth on the list was the low cost of living that residents can enjoy in Rocky Mount, allowing you to experience said North Carolina Living at much lesser of an expense than the more pricey alternatives state wide in places like Raleigh or Charlotte.

Rocky Mount Mills, which is a piece of Rocky Mount history that has undergone a drastic revamping that includes craft breweries and renovated housing on the storied Tar River site checks in at number eight on the blog’s list, while nearby Edgecombe and Nash Community Colleges, as well as Belmont Lake Preserve’s neighboring North Carolina Wesleyan College and the city’s array of educational opportunities is number seven.

NC Wesleyan College is one of many educational opportunities you have in Rocky Mount

Heading toward the Top Five reasons to love North Carolina Living in Rocky Mount, the sixth entry on the chart is the natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities in Rocky Mount. Along with the breathtaking landscape that is Battle Park or the Tar River Trail, number five on the list also plays into this spectacular scenery, as it is the city’s gorgeous architecture.

The artistic endeavors at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences in downtown Rocky Mount is the third reason listed that will make you fall in love with the city’s North Carolina Living and the hard working city officials, alongside community members and law enforcement driving the area’s crime rate to its lowest in almost 40 years is the third entry on the list.

Another piece of American history takes the number two spot on the list, as the positive strides toward racial equality which had some early beginnings right in Rocky Mount, as Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech actually was debuted in the city before it ever became the iconic symbol of the movement. Lastly, the number one reason to love the North Carolina Living in Rocky Mount is the people. The outgoing, friendly, and welcoming community spirit in the town is second to none and once you have come to see for yourself what “southern hospitality” in Rocky Mount is all about, you to will be proud to call yourself a member of this community and to call the city and Belmont Lake Preserve your home.

by bwstandard

Take Me out to the Ball Game… Carolina Mudcats Baseball Spells Summer Time Family Fun

North Carolina Living

Nothing says “summer” like the sound of the crack of the bat, the smell of the freshly cut outfield grass, and the taste of a delicious hot dog and an icy beverage under the sun at Five County Stadium. Located in Zebulon, just 35 minutes from Belmont Lake Preserve, Carolina Mudcats Baseball home games are played throughout the summer months and offers a throwback to a simpler times when family’s could enjoy a warm night at the ballpark and “root, root, root for the home team.”

Team mascot, “Muddy the Mudcat” is always popular with the kids at all Mudcats home games.

Currently the Carolina Mudcats baseball team is the Single-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Atlanta Braves. The team originally moved to its current location in Zebulon on July 3, 1991 after their initial move to North Carolina had a stop over in Wilson while the construction of Five County Stadium was finished. The Carolina Mudcats Baseball franchise was purchased in 1988 by team owner Steve Bryant, who then moved the team from Columbus, Georgia to the “Tar Heel State” in 1990.

Although currently affiliated with the Braves, the Carolina Mudcats Baseball franchise has played under several major league organizations’ banner since its formation, with countless future all-stars spending time on the diamond at Five County Stadium. The Carolina Mudcats Baseball team had their first taste of a championship while playing in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, taking the 1995 Southern League Championship. That title winning squad was led by several time National League All-Star catcher Jason Kendall who was named the 1995 Southern League Most Valuable Player. The first Mudcats team to play in Zebulon in 1991 saw their pitching staff anchored by future World Champion and knuckleball expert, Tim Wakefield who posted a league laeding 15 wins that year.

The Carolina Mudcats Baseball team got there next Southern League title in 2003 after switching to the Florida Marlins orginization. This team was loaded with future MLB stars, including Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez, Dontrelle Willis, and Josh Beckett. Other notable superstars that have played at Five County Stadium during the 25 years of its existence are Hall of Famer, Ken Griffey, Jr., New York Yankees star, Alex Rodriguez, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, Joey Cora, who all were a part of a Seattle Mariners team that played in a 1997 exhibition game against the Southern League all stars at Five County Stadium.

Maybe the most notable star to oppose the Carolina Mudcats Baseball team on their home Zebulon turf was a Hall of Famer in a different sport, as the legendary Michael Jordan, who came in as a part of the Birmingham Bulls in 1994 during the season that he took a one year hiatus from the National Basketball Association (NBA) to give pro baseball a try.

The future stars of Major League Baseball are on display all summer long at Five County Stadium.

The bright future of the stars of the current Carolina Mudcats Baseball stars is as bright as the hot, summer sun that beats down throughout the summer months of North Carolina. The Mudcats organization still lives by the origina mantra of Mudcats owner, Steve Bryant, that he stated in 1991 states, that says the team looks to “excel in the Magic of Baseball, provide a positive atmosphere for families to escape to a sparkling venue that provides creature comforts that enhance quality time together. ”

For more information on Carolina Mudcats Baseball including their complete schedule, weekly specials at the ball park, and ticket information, visit their website at carolinamudcats.com.

by bwstandard

Songs of the Season…Live Music in Raleigh NC at Walnut Creek Amphitheater

North Carolina Living

Location is one of the many alluring reasons for your choice to experience North Carolina Living and spend your retirement years at the Belmont Lake Preserve NC golf community. Of the countless entertainment options in the area when the summer months roll around, one of the most enticing sits under an hour away from your new house at the number one outdoor venue for Live Music in Raleigh NC, Walnut Creek Amphitheater.

Toby Keith’s “Interstates and tailgates Tour comes to Raleigh on July 10

Showcasing award winning and world famous performers from all genres in a spectacular outdoor setting, Walnut Creek Amphitheater has been the “go-to” venue for Live Music in Raleigh NC in the warmer months of Spring and Summer for the past 25 years.

The most picturesque of all venues for Live Music in Raleigh NC, Walnut Creek is part of a 77-acre, $13.5 million, complex that was built by the City of Raleigh in 1991. Featuring a covered pavilion that seats nearly 7,000 people and a beautiful, sprawling general admission, lawn area that accommoadates upwards of another 13,500 concert goers, the ideal setup of Walnut Creek provides an intimate concert experience despite having the capacity to house the largest national acts who pass through to perform Live Music in Raleigh NC.

The classic rock sounds of Heart closes the Walnut Creek summer series on Sept. 13

The diverse schedule of world class Live Music in Raleigh NC acts start up this upcoming Thursday, April 21 at 7:00 pm when the return of the always popular Jimmy Buffet and his Coral Reefer Band will transform Walnut Creek into “Margaritaville.” Just one night later on Friday, April 22 the “Outcry Tour” will bring some of the most influential names in the church music scene to Walnut Creek with a 6 pm start before the first month of summer concert action finishes up on Saturday, April 30 when the grooving sounds of Widespread Panic takes center stage at the amphitheater.

The full Summer lineup of Live Music in Raleigh NC at Walnut Creek Amphitheater is as follows:

Thu, April 21- Jimmy Buffett w/ Huey Lewis and the News
Fri , April 22- The Outcry Tour
Sat , April 30- Widespread Panic w/Jason Isbell
Sat , May 21- Kenny Chesney w/ Old Dominion
Sun, June 5- Journey/The Doobie Brothers w/ Dave Mason
Fri , June 10- Miranda Lambert w/ Kip Moore and Brothers Osbourne
Sat , June 18- Rascal Flatts w/Kelsea Ballerini
Tue, June 21- Weezer w/ Panic! At the Disco
Sun, July 10- Toby Keith
Thu, July 14- Florida Georgia Line
Fri , July 22- Dierks Bentley w/ Randy Houser
Sat , July 23- Kool and the Gang w/ Bootsy Collins, Morris Day, and Doug E. Fresh
Sun, July 24- Gwen Stefani w/ Eve
Tue, July 26- Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa
Thu, July 28- Counting Crows and Rob Thomas
Fri , August 12- Dixie Chicks
Sat , August 13- Def Leppard w/ REO Speedwagon and Tesla
Fri , August 19- Keith Urban w/ Brett Eldredge
Fri , Sept. 2- Luke Bryan w/ Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch
Sat , Sept. 3- Luke Bryan w/ Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch
Wed, Sept. 13- Heart w/ Joan Jett and Cheap Trick

For more information on the number one outdoor venue for Live Music in Raleigh NC each including show times and ticket prices and information, visit the following link at ticketmaster.com.

by bwstandard

At Kitty Hawk NC on the Outer Banks, You’re Never Too Far From “Taking Flight”

North Carolina Living

The Wright Brothers Bridge in Kitty Hawk NC is named after is the “innovators of aviation” who first took flight just outside of town.

The location of your new home in the premier NC golf community at Belmont Lake Preserve is one of the most attractive points that both local and transplanted new home owners can all agree upon. Whether looking to stay close to family in the North or south eastern part of the country, or for the central location to all the great things going on right here in North Carolina, such as the beautiful Outer Banks and historic Kitty Hawk NC…at Belmont Lake Preserve, you are never to far from “there.”

Maybe the most historic town of any on the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk NC’s motto of “Take Flight” stems from their most famous residents, Orville and Wilbur Wright, who used the gentle hills for glider launching, the sandy surfaces for soft landings, as well as its private and remote location to avoid garnering unwanted attention when they started their experimentation that would lead to the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered aircraft, just a few miles south of Kitty Hawk, NC on December 17, 1903.

Fast-forward to the modern day, and the town of Kitty Hawk NC, while always steeped in its rich history, now consists of the picturesque Kitty Hawk beach community featuring residential cottages as well as hotels and a traditional village. The unique shops and impressive dining options that characterize both the beach area and the village in Kitty Hawk NC emanate a welcoming, small time feel that is as endearing to tourists and visitors as it is to the tow’s life long residents. Echoing these sentiments, the website, outerbanks.org, speaks of Kitty Hawk NC, saying the following, “Both the beach and the village share a feeling that development should remain on a human scale and in harmony with nature. It is a pattern and character of the town that both year-round and seasonal residents want to preserve.”

With a variety of spectacular plant and animal life, nature awaits in the Kitty Hawk Woods

Yet another feature of Kitty Hawk NC that sets it apart from most other Outer Banks towns is its 461-acre maritime forest reserve, the Kitty Hawk Woods. With an incredible variety of both plant and animal life, “The Woods” in Kitty Hawk NC are for sure an attraction worth taking a look at on your way through town.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina has become one of the most popular vacation and “get away” spots in the entire country, and with its beaches, friendly atmosphere, unique shops and eateries, as well as its ties to American history, Kitty Hawk NC is one of the main stops you don’t want to miss.

by bwstandard

Golf Etiqutte Tips to Stay Competitive while Respecting the “Spirit of the Game”

North Carolina Living

Best-Golf-Courses-in-North-Carolina-Belmont-Lake-Preserve

With the award winning 18-hole David Johnson Golf Design championship course sitting just minutes outside your door at Belmont Lake Preserve, it is not a stretch for the competitive nature of some golfers to at times get the better of oneself. However, if you always remember these Golf Etiquette Tips, it is easy for one to still enjoy the thrill of competing, while being respectful to others on the course and staying true to the “spirit of the game.”

A breathtaking overhead view of Belmont Lake Golf Club

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has offered up Golf Etiquette Tips in four different areas which anyone, regardless of skill set or experience level should abide to from the point they set foot on the first tee, until they stride off toward the clubhouse leaving the 18^th green. These categories include safety, consideration for other players, pace of play, and care for the course. The Golf Etiquette Tips are courtesy of the USGA Members Program, and are listed as follows:

Safety

Players should not play until the players in front are out of range
Alert greenkeepers nearby or ahead prior to making a stroke that might endanger them
Shout a warning if your ball may hit someone

Consideration for Other Players

Do not move, talk, or stand close to a player making a stroke
Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course will not distract others
Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole when a player is about to play
Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players have holed out

Golfers at Belmont Lake Golf Club enjoying a round on as sunny afternoon.

Pace of Play

Always play without delay and keep up with the group in front
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball
Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not be easily found

Care for the Course

Repair all divot holes and ball marks
Before leaving a bunker, smooth over all holes and footprints
Replace the flagstick carefully in an upright position
Leave the course in the condition in which you would like to find it
Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed

By following these simple Golf Etiquette Tips, you can make both your group and those also playing the course for the day’s round much more enjoyable with very little effort and simply by displaying common courtesy for the course and those around you playing on it. For more tips and further information on the USGA, visit their website at usga.org. For more information on the spectacular Belmont Lake Golf Club, including setting up tee times and current specials, visit here.

by bwstandard

Rocky Mount Area Sports: Redefining “March Madness” and ACC College Basketball

North Carolina Living

With “March Madness” nearly upon us and the most storied rivalry in all of NCAA athletics taking place just a short drive up the road, “North Carolina Living” for the sports fan under your roof at Belmont Lake Preserve finds you never too far from the “Tobacco Road” rivalry between Duke and the University of North Carolina (UNC) and this year, “March Madness” will be a part of Rocky Mount Area Sports, as the NCAA Men’s College Basketball tournament comes to Raleigh on March 17 and 19.

The retired numbers of legendary players from throughout the history of UNC basketball

With Chapel Hill as the home of the UNC Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils hosting visiting teams in Durham, both just over an hour from Belmont Lake Preserve, Rocky Mount Area Sports fans are lucky to have the most heated rivalry in all of college basketball. Once again this year, the two perennial powerhouse squads in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) both have sat comfortably in the AP Top 20 rankings, with both spending time in the top 5 and UNC currently holding the country’s number one ranking.

With a combined 10 National Championships (5 for each school) between the two and over 15 “Final Four” appearance a piece, these two teams whose campuses sit under 10 miles from each other is with out question the most exciting of any Rocky Mount Area Sports contests when the tow take the floor to square off twice annually.

The PNC Arena in Raleigh will host NCAA tournament games March 17 & 19

This year, adding to the “madness” that is always apparent from Rocky Mount Area Sports fans who back either the Tar Heels or the Blue Devils throughout the ACC schedule and beyond is “March Madness,” as the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will come to Raleigh for first and second round contests to be held on March 17 and 19 at the home of the North Carolina State Wolfpack, PNC Arena.

Considered by many to be the most dramatic and exciting of all post seasons in any sport, collegiate or professional, the NCAA tournament games in Raleigh will be played under and hour away from Rocky Mount.

For more information on the upcoming NCAA tournament games to be played in Raleigh, including ticket information can be found at pncarena.com.

by bwstandard

Nags Head NC and the Northern Beaches of the Outer Banks…are never too far from here!

North Carolina Living

Sitting only about two hours from your doorstep at the Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina golf and retirement community is one of the true gems amongst the vacation spots in the “Tar Heel State.” Maybe the most popular of all the Outer Banks beach destinations, Nags Head NC, and all its scenic beauty always stays true to its town slogan, “where old meets new.”

Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags Head NC is the tallest brick lighthouse in North America

Steeped in history, the earliest beginnings of Nags Head NC, saw much of the architecture consisting of small single family cottages, many of which are still very popular rentals for visitors looking to soak in the unique atmosphere of the town. Many of the cottages sit directly across from one of the best-known landmarks in Nags Head NC, Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The eastern United States’ tallest natural sand dune system, Jockey’s Ridge offers awe-inspiring views of all points in town from its highest points.

In addition to the countless, beautiful public beaches, which so many visitors come to frequent in Nags Head NC, the town’s two public fishing piers, Nags Head Fishing Pier and the Outer Banks Fishing Pier at the south end of town, are also a major attraction for tourists. During the “off-season” in Nags Head NC, which falls between October 1 and April 30, beach driving is allowed with a proper town-issued permit. Also, located at the northern end of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Nags Head NC is one of the Outer Banks more iconic landmarks, Bodie Island Lighthouse. Open for self-guided climbs” and tours year round, Bodie Island is the tallest brick lighthouse in North America.

Despite a reasonable year round residential population of just 2,800, Nags Head NC has the longest municipal stretch of oceanfront at 11 miles and 6.5 miles with in its borders alone, making it the physically largest of all the towns located with in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. This in addition to a reputation since becoming incorporated in 1961of boasting clean water beaches, abundant open spaces, and the charm of a slow, relaxing pace of life has made Nags Head NC what many consider to be the ideal family beach in all of the Outer Banks.

To see more on Nags Head NC and the Northern Beaches of the Outer Banks, visit outerbanks.org.

by bwstandard

When you’re here, you’re never too far from there…Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks NC Beaches

North Carolina Living

Rocky-Mount-NC-Location-Belmont-Lake-Preserve

When discussing “Lifestyle Redefined” upon your move to the premier North Carolina golf and retirement community at Belmont Lake Preserve, a main focal point in the decision making process is the convenient Eastern North Carolina location, which puts you just a short distance from all of the spectacular vacation and getaway spots across the “Tar Heel State.” One of the more popular vacation destinations in the entire southeast are the Outer Banks NC Beaches, which sit on the coast and range from a two to three -hour drive from your new home, depending on where you opt to visit.

Once one of the east coast’s best kept secret’s, the word has gotten out about the spectacular Outer Banks NC Beaches, yet, despite turning into a popular vacation spot, with a number of beautiful ocean front towns to choose from all have managed to maintain their “small town charm.”

A night time look at the beauty of Roanoke Island on the water

One of the more popular vacation spots among the Outer Banks NC Beaches is Roanoke Island. Described at the Outer Bank’s official website as “Outer Banks culture at it’s best,” whether you’re planning an entire vacation around Roanoke Island’s waterfront town of Manteo or it’s sister community, Wanchese, or just taking a day trip for a visit, this pedestrian friendly community is one not too miss.

Located directly between the barrier island beach towns and the mainland of North Carolina, Roanoke Island boasts a waterfront boardwalk that is second to none, featuring many local, fun shops specializing in everything from art and décor to handmade jewelry and coastal gifts. The boardwalk also has countless outdoor dining stops, allowing you the chance to truly soak in the ambience of this quaint, historic beach front area while enjoying the freshest shellfish, crab, or fish harvested locally among the array of tasty eateries.

Roanoke Island is also steeped in history, as it was the first English colony ever in what would eventually become our great country of America. Many of the street names pay tribute to the first settlers who according to legend “disappeared without a trace” here, and their story is actually told throughout the summer nights in Roanoke Island as a part of the entertaining “Lost Colony” outdoor drama.

Roanoke Island is under 135 miles from your front door at Belmont Lake Preserve, putting you just over two hours away from one of the most popular Outer Banks NC Beaches, and proves that by choosing “Lifestyle Redefined at Belmont Lake Preserve, “once you are here…you’re never to far from there!”

by bwstandard

‘Redefining’ Rocky Mount NC Dining …The Prime Smokehouse

North Carolina Living

Currently ranked by customers based upon their personal reviews on Tripadvisor.com as the number one choice for Rocky Mount NC Dining, the Prime Smokehouse offers a combination of great atmosphere, unique and refreshing drink options, and of course a diverse and delicious menu just minutes from your new home at Belmont Lake Preserve.

According to their personal website, the Prime Smokehouse was the “brainchild” of partners Ed Wiley III, his wife, Yalem Kiros, and Harold Worrell, Jr., who collectively sought to create a dining spot “designed to unite across cultures and generations.” Channeling their shared love for both classic Southern cuisine and smooth jazz music, The Prime Smokehouse was born, creating an experience in Rocky Mount NC Dining like none before had offered.

After opening their first restaurant in Garner, NC, followed by a second in Southeast Raleigh, the Prime Smokehouse answered the prayers of authentic Texas BBQ lovers in search of Rocky Mount NC Dining options, as they opened the doors to this third location that has become the “premiere destination in eastern North Carolina for those seeking good food, especially good barbecue, soul food, southern cuisine and great entertainment.” The overall success and connection with the community in Rocky Mount eventually made the team decide to close shop in Raleigh and simply focus on its now exclusive location here.

If seafood is your calling the “Prime” has a variety of succulent shrimp offerings, jumbo lump crab cakes, fish and grits or numerous other signature “catches.” The mouth-watering choices from “the smoker” include such BBQ standards as ribs, brisket, sausages, chicken, and more and there is also a fine selection off the grill, traditional fare, delicious salads, wraps and sandwiches, as well as homemade soups and chili. The unique drink menu at the Prime Smokehouse is sure to have something for everyone at the party to like and the smooth jazz and live music sounds are sure to complete the most enjoyable experience in Rocky Mount NC Dining that you can find.

To see the full menu, upcoming entertainment, and a more detailed history on the Prime Smokehouse, visit their website at primesmokehouse.com.

by bwstandard

Rocky Mount NC News