Tag Archive for: North Carolina Living

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

Nags Head NC

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.”

Nags Head NC

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.

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

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.”

Outer Banks NC Beaches

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!”

 

 

 

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‘Redefining’ Rocky Mount NC Dining …The Prime Smokehouse

Rocky Mount NC Dining

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.

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