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

Carolina Mudcats Baseball

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.”

Carolina Mudcats Baseball

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.

Carolina Mudcats Baseball

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.

 

 

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

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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.

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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.

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.

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Belmont Lake Preserve NC named among the Best Lake Communities in the US by Ideal Living Magazine

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NAMED ONE OF THE BEST LAKE COMMUNITIES IN THE US

Best Lake Communities in the USThe premier North Carolina golf and retirement community, Belmont Lake Preserve has been selected by Ideal Living magazine as one of 2016 Best Lake Communities in the US among retirement living areas.

The recognition as one of the Best Lake Communities in the US for 2016, comes following a year that saw Belmont Lake Preserve as the recipient of several accolades. Most recently, the Rocky Mount NC golf community was named to the prestigious “Short List” by Where to Retire magazine as one of the 50 Best Master Planned communities in the United States. Likewise, the spectacular 18-hole, David Johnson Golf Design, Belmont Lake Golf Club weighed heavily into the community being honored by Ideal Living last year as one of 2015’s Best Golf Course Communities in the nation.

In their listing of the Best Lake Communities in the US, which will be featured in the upcoming annual “Best of the Best” Summer edition of Ideal Living, the selection process was based on the following ideas. “For many active adults, the appeal of lake living is in the availability of boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports. Other retirees may wish to live lakeside in order to enjoy the serenity offered by living near a peaceful, natural setting.” Given Belmont Lake Preserve’s 1400-acres of scenic, forested land which is set around the beautiful 80-acre Belmont Lake and the wide array of both on-site and near by outdoor living options, its inclusion among the Best Lake Communities in the US would come as no surprise to those familiar with its stunning natural beauty.

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Also Named among the 50 Best Master Planned communities in the United States

In addition to its beautiful natural setting, the resort like amenities at Belmont Lake Preserve also make it an obvious choice for this and the other recent accolades received by the North Carolina Living community. The luxurious, BLP Community Clubhouse features both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art-fitness facility, a billiards and game room and much more. The Golf Clubhouse with a full golf pro shop, indoor and outdoor dining facilities, the highly acclaimed “Main Course at Belmont” restaurant and on staff PGA professional, Tim Wilke is equally as impressive, as is the aforementioned golf course, which has been named among the Top 100 to Play in NC and as one of the Best Course Designs in Eastern NC.

For more information on the upcoming “Best of the Best” edition of Ideal Living magazine to feature the Best Lake Communities in the US, visit ideal-living.com. To plan a visit or get more information on available homes, home sites, or floor plans at Belmont Lake Preserve, visit here.

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Kickoff the “Dog Days” of Summer at the 6th Annual Rocky Mount Paws in the Park Event

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Rocky Mount Paws in the Park

Minutes away from your new home in the premier North Carolina golf and retirement community,  Belmont Lake Preserve, at Rocky Mount’s beautiful “Best Friend’s Dog Park,” pet owners are welcome to come out on Saturday, April 9 and take part in “a day for the dogs” at the 6th annual Rocky Mount Paws in the Park event featuring a day full of free family fun showcasing “man’s best friend.”

The all-free Rocky Mount Paws in the Park event promotes responsibility in pet ownership and the humane treatments of dogs, with a full day of contests and special events. Kicking off the day’s festivities at 10:00 a.m. will be the Grand Opening ceremonies for the new Agility Park (Phase 2 of the Best Friend’s Dog Park.) Following this, at 11:00, the dogs will take center stage, as contests taking place at the Dog Park, located at 480 Lee Street, adjacent to Sunset Park are scheduled to include, a Pet Fashion Show, as well as Pet Costume and Look-a-Like Competitions, in addition to a wide array of vendors, food trucks, and music to keep all entertained throughout the day.

The very special Masters of Ceremonies at the Rocky Mount Paws in the Park will be the popular deejay from “Rock City” 99.3 FM, David Perkins, and ABC 11 Eyewitness News’ Gloria Rodriguez. Also, back by popular demand at this years’ Rocky Mount Paws in the Park event will be the acrobatic and incredible “K-9’s in Flight” Frisbee dogs. Described as the “premier K-9 sports entertainers in the world,” these dogs and their trainers are sure to provide some high flying fun that the entire family is certain to enjoy.

There will also be the opportunity for those in attendance to adopt a dog at the 6th Annual Rocky Mount Paws in the Park, for anyone interested in leaving the event with a brand new pet. The sponsors for the event include, Pet’s Best Friend, Rocky Mount Telegram, Life Exposed (Photos by Lindsey), Crossdogs, Target, Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department, and radio stations, 98.5 FM “The Big Dawg,” Power 95.5 FM, and 99.3 FM Rock City.

For more information on this and all other upcoming Summer Family Events in Rocky Mount, visit rockymountnc.gov.

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

Kitty Hawk NC
Kitty Hawk NC

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.”

Kitty Hawk NC

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.

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