Spring, Summer, Fall and even Winter brings joy to all living and visiting the North Carolina Southern Outer Banks. However, the onset of Spring refreshes all and we begin to get the 'Beach Fever'! Wild horses graze among cord grass and other vegetation on Shackelford Island and various other Islands along Carteret County all year long. But in the Spring new life and the warmth of sunshine is in abundance! Attitudes change among people and the wildlife! Come, visit, stay a while and enjoy what Carteret County offers via Mother Nature!
MED INFO AND TIPS! Located in Morehead City, H. CURTISS MERRICK, MD, is a primary care and specialty medical practice of Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine that serves patients throughout Carteret County and eastern North Carolina. Our physicians and providers deliver medical care to individuals over the age of 21. Dr. Merrick is also a specialist in geriatrics. As such, we evaluate and treat disorders that commonly affect patients over the age of 55.
Our mission is to provide state of the art medical care in a pleasant and comfortable environment, with courtesy and attention to your individual needs. We emphasize patient service and communication. We provide comprehensive healthcare and believe strongly in preventive medicine. With recent changes in the Medicare program, many doctors no longer accept patients on Medicare. WE WELCOME NEW MEDICARE PATIENTS AND TREASURE OUR ESTABLISHED PATIENTS WHO ARE INSURED BY MEDICARE. In addition, we participate in most commercial health insurance plans. Please give us a call at (252)222-5790, if we can be of service to you.
LOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE TO EAT ALL YEAR ROUND? Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub
WHERE THE CRYSTAL COAST IS COOKIN' Clawson's 1905 is a favorite destination of locals and. Clawson's has received recommendations from Frommer's, Fodor's, and Traveler Magazine. An architectural focal point in the middle of downtown, Clawson's 1905 is housed in what was Clawson's Grocery Store back in the early 1900s. Lunch favorites include a long list of sandwiches and burgers and seafood Appetizers include Clawson’s Famous Buffalo Style chicken Wings and Homemade Onion Rings. Dinner always offers fresh seafood, zesty ribs, steaks, chicken and pasta. Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub a history of good foods on the Beaufort waterfront.
Want something a little more unique? Try
Aqua Our menu is created to bring you the freshest seasonal items available presented with a creative touch. Aqua’s small plates offer you an exciting array of tastes in “just right” portions ideal for passing around the table or enjoying two or three as a full meal.
Aqua’s Big Plates feature Choice Beef and only the freshest, North Carolina seafood as well as local produce when it’s seasonally available. Aqua prides tself on offering fresh local products and supporting our local fisherman and farmers. Enjoy the journey and Bon Appetit! Joey McClure, Co-Owner 425 Front Street Beaufort, NC 28516 252 728-2133
REAL ESTATE NEWS IN CARTERET COUNTY:
Good News: Finally the declining sales trend has been reversed. Every month since 2005 the units sold was lower than the previous year until May of 2009. May, September, November, December and now January have seen improved sales units vs. the previous year. January was actually up 32% from January 2009. This is very encouraging. Each year since 2005 the number of units sold dropped 20-25% from the previous year. 2009 was down only 7% from 2008 with the trend at the end of the year showing positively. If this continues, we should see more activity as we enter the spring market.
CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC DON'T FORGET TO VISIT CARTERET COUNTY THIS WEEKEND! Festivities begin tonight and continue through Sunday. For full details click on the following link! Tons of INDOOR Activities!
SNOW MEN ARE NOT SOMETHING THE CRYSTAL COAST IS USED TO SEEING!
Exactly what is an Allen Hainge CyberStar®?
Good question! According to the dictionary there is no definition for the word 'CyberStar', however, when the term is used in connection with a trademark group such as the 'CyberStars 2.0' it is commonly associated with REALTORS(R) who work on interactive information sharing via the Internet and other networking and technical venues. As a 'CyberStar(R)member I am a REALTOR(R) who likes to Blog, Network on various sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In among others to stay in touch with my customers and clients and to market real estate in the most beneficial way in today's society. For a detailed description of an Allen Hainge CyberStar® go to: http://www.afhseminars.com/cyber.htm
The Crystal Coast Hopsice House Board is hosting a Kick Off Wild Game-Seafood and Italian Wine Pairings event to support its mission to raise public awareness of the need for the construction and funding of an inpatient Hospice house in Carteret County.
In order to help meet that dream the event will have food donated by local huntsmen and wine presented by Marco Laico, owner of Vino Vino in Charlotte. The fund raiser will be located at Bisto-by-the-Sea in Morehead City, N. C. at 6:00 pm on Monday, February 22 for a cost of $35 per person which includes an annual membershiop to the "Supporters of the Crystal Coast Hospice House."
Please contact Libby @ bistro-by-the-sea.com or (252)247-7777
MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES and REALTOR(R) REFERRALS:
Local mortgage rates remain strong and inviting at 4.750%+/- with 0 Points on a 30 years Fixed Mortgage to qualified buyers. Rates are subject to change day to day and sometimes even hour to hour. I have personally experience a Residential Mortgage interest rate exceeding 13.00% back in the late 1970's and I know that rates have exceeded 17% in the past. Unless you have experienced this yourself it is hard to believe rates can go that high but it is a fact. Enjoy the mortgage rates and terms available today if possible! Speak with an experienced REALTOR® to find out if they can refer you to qualified lenders. Don't know one in your area? Contact us at and we may be able to assist you in finding an experienced well qualified REALTOR®.
TODAY'S RECIPE
Smooth & Silky Mushroom Soup
1 package of mushrooms (8 oz - but I often put 12 oz if I have them)
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1\2 teaspoon dried tarragon (or herbes de provence)
1\4 teaspoon ground nutneg
3 tablespoons butter
1\4 cup flour
2 cans (14 1\2 oz each) beef broth
1 cup sour cream
1\2 half-and-half cream
1\2 cup evaporated milk (if you don't have evaporated milk, just add more 1\2 and 1\2)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash hot pepper sauce
Salt and pepper
In a dutch oven or soup kettle, saute the mushrooms, onion, garlic, tarragon and nutmeg in butter until vegetables are tender. Stir in flour until smooth (at least 1 minute). Gradually add broth, bring to a boil, stirring constantly
.
Reduce heat to low, slowly add sour cream. Cook and stir until smooth. Stir in cream and milk. Add lemon juice, hot pepper sauce salt & pepper. Heat through but do not boil. Makes 6 servings.
NOTE: I always double the recipe because it's still so good warmed up and everyone loves it and sometimes asks for seconds.
REAL ESTATE FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK:
130 EDWARDS DRIVE, MOREHEAD CITY, NC
Lovely upscale water front home on DEEP WATER canal leading straight out to the ICW in less than a half mile. Board your vessel from your own private back yard and go North to Atlantic City, NJ or South to the Bahamas! Or, stay home and lounge by the in-ground pool and enjoy the local waterways and many beautiful beaches in Carteret County. Sellers are motivated and ready to sell this magnificent home on the water in Morehead City, NC. Wet slip will accommodate up to an 80' vessel. Call 252-659-2368 TODAY for more details!
FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS REMEMBER TO EMAIL, CALL OR TEXT GENA & HAROLD GILBERT, YOUR COASTAL SALES TEAM ON THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NC "ALWAYS PLACING YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS 1ST" FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS! 252-659-2368 or 252-659-2368!
