Looking for a great way to spend a Friday night in the Sandhills? Make reservations at May Street Market and get ready for the time of your lives. The evening includes dinner from a modest menu and great live music from one of the three fabulous bands that rotate through the calendar. Check out the details here:http://maystmarket.com/friday.html

Your reservation gives you the table for the evening. Music gets strated around 7pm and usually the band plays 'till 10:30, maybe 11. It leans heavily to great covers of 60's and 70's classic rock stuff, with a generous helping of country, and a handful of original numbers, at least with my favorite band of the bunch, Joyner Young and Marie. Check out their website http://www.joyneryoung.com and make your reservations for tomorrow night. I know you'll love it. And be sure to say hello--I'll be there!

I awoke early this morning, before dawn, and got up to feel the early morning air. It's well into July, more than half gone as of today, yet I slept with the ac off and the windows open. It's my habit getting ready for bed, to open the sliding door in the bedroom and check the outside temperature. If it is cool enough the air conditioning is abandoned for the refreshing breezes off my little lake. I know I sleep better that way. For most of September, October, November, April, May and usual Junes I can do this routinely. This June slammed most of the eastern half of the country with scorching days right off the bat. We had a run of 100+ days in the first half of the month, but then, my niece got married on a Vermont hilltop in early June and although I missed the wedding, my son told me it was 103 degrees during the ceremony. So no sleeping with the windows open and the ac off in early June this year. In other years, it has been rare to be able to do this in July, but this July seems to be paying us back for June stepping out of season.

So, forgive my ramblings, but I just wanted to celebrate the fact that more than half of July so far, I have been able to forego the ac in favor of natural cooling, and this morning was especially delicious, cool, sweet yet filled with the promise of a true Carolina summer day.

Are you going to Carolina in your mind? Is it time you showed up in person? Let me help you with your relocation to the Sandhills. You can sell the snow shovel in your garage sale before you move!! I would enjoy being your Moore County, NC real estate specialist, so that you might learn the joy of all of the seasons here in the Home of American Golf.

One of many millions of reasons this is a GREAT place to live: Saturday June 12th is the 7th annual Blues Crawl in Southern Pines sponsored by the Sunrise Theatre. The evening kicks off with a concert by Otis Taylor at the Sunrise at 7:30, followed by a terrific selection of blues musicians at the various downtown watering holes. Here's the schedule of performers:

One $40 ticket gets you into the Otis Taylor concert and gives you access to ALL of the other performances. Or you can choose just Otis Taylor for $25 or just the "Crawl" for $20. It's a great time to get out and enjoy the Southern Pines night life, some outstanding Blues musicians, and the hospitality of all of these great establishments.

Read all about it here:http://www.sunrisetheater.com/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=52&extmode=view&extid=97

"Steeped in history, forged in nature, wrapped in luxury-a new legend is rising in the heart of Vermont. Inspired by the mountain that gave birth to the American skiing tradition, Spruce Peak at Stowe stands poised to deliver a new era in luxury alpine living." from their website. . .

I was foresighted enough to recognize that this project was going to be very cool, but I really had no idea how spectacular a finished product they were going to produce. For decades, Stowe had rested on some slightly sagging laurels, its early (I mean real early) contributions to the development of the US ski industry, of course its charm and history as a New England resort town, but the ski area seemed to have missed the boat for much of the last quarter of the Twentieth Century. Snow making and uphill capacity were the domains of other Eastern areas, notably Killington and Sunday River, Stratton, Tremblant. Stowe's Mount Mansfield Baselodge was built sometime in the Stone Age, they used to lay their snowmakers off as soon as they got through Christmas, and no matter when Easter fell on the calendar, it marked the end of the ski season.

But all that has changed, and changed in spades! With the advent of the Spruce Peak Realty project, AIG has brought this mountain to the razor thin leading edge of ski developments in North America, and the world. The luxury is unparalleled. Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler, Aspen, Deer Valley eat your hearts out. There is a new name in luxury slopeside development, and NOTHING that has come before it comes close: a slopeside mountain village that will never contain more than 400 some residences--and a mix of homesites, multi-million dollar mountain cabins, condominiums and a private residence club, along with upscale retail, new lifts, a stunning Bob Cupp golf course, a new base lodge and a mountain club. Some links to what is happening up there:

http://www.livestowe.com/ownership_opportunities/stowe_mountain_lodge_condominiums.php?page_id=condominiums

http://www.livestowe.com/ownership_opportunities/front_four_at_stowe_mountain_lodge.php?page_id=frontfour

there:http://www.livestowe.com/ownership_opportunities/faq.php?page_id=frontfour#a5

I happen to mention all of this because I was one of the early purchasers of a unit in the Front Four, a truly state-of-the-fractional art Private Residence Club. Now, prior to completion, I find I need to sell my interest. There are a couple of differences between my interest, and the one you would buy today, from the developer. The first, and perhaps most important is the language in the contract. Sometime during the marketing of this project, the developers decided they wanted to discourage speculators, and they replaced the contract to purchase that I bought under with a new one. Today, if you buy a unit, you give the developer the right to buy your unit back from you at the price you paid, should you decide to sell within the first two years(not the obligation to buy it back however--all this does is limit your ability to make a profit). Early buyers gave the developer a first right of refusal as well, but at the price you negotiate with a buyer. In other words, if you or a client, friend or customer were to purchase my interest, there is nothing in the contract language to keep you from making a profit at the first available opportunity. You wouldn't be able to do that with your purchase made today direct from the Spruce Peak Realty LLC.

The other difference (and these are the ONLY two differences) is I will sell mine for 20% less than current developer pricing. Same extraordinary luxury unit, same amenities, same privileges, same membership, same everything, except the dent it puts in your check book. Save $71,800!

I have a contract to purchase upon completion, at two bedroom fraction (an 8th share) in the Front Four. Today, were you to walk in to the sales office and buy this, you would pay $359,000, and get that contract that precludes you from selling at a profit! If you have an interest, let's talk about how you can own my fraction--exactly what they are selling for $359,000, for $287,200, a full 20% discount. AND sell it the next day for a profit if you would like! If you have questions check out the FAQs link above. And if you want to take advantage of my need to sell--be in touch. All my contact info should appear to the right--but just in case, here's my cell 910-315-9977 and my email, fordjill@gmail.com By the way, I do hold a North Carolina Broker's license.

It is no accident that the Master's is held in April. Those glorious graceful dogwoods and vivid azaleas have been ruling the scene here for the last two-three weeks. I hate to see the dogwood's green leaves start to appear, as it heralds the end of one of the most beautiful times of year here.

Here's a shot of a beautiful pink dogwood, along with a white one and a bright red azalea.

Schedule your next spring's Sandhills visit now, and come right around the middle of April for the peak dogwood season.

Isn't this gorgeous?

Running some errands today, I realized, it is happening again. Seems this North Carolina spring magic is underway. A month and a half before any self-respecting Vermont flower would consider peeking its head above the frozen ground, North Carolina begins the magnificent spectacle of blooms that will transform the landscape for the next three months. From now until June, a continuous and ever-changing array of spring flowers present their colors. Today it's Daffodils, Forsythia, Bradford Pears, Flowering Quince, and a few I can't name. Shortly they will be joined and then replaced by Tulips, the mighty Dogwoods, the glorious Azaleas, Mountain Laurels, and various cherries, apples, and ornamental fruit trees. I am sure there are a hundred other spring flowers that I will be reminded of in weeks to come. The Azaleas alone command our attention for at least a month as the different varieties splash their colors along the drive from home to work, work to golf course, golf course to grocery store. And the Dogwood, incredible graceful tree, scattering blossoms in woodlands and landscaped yards alike. The Dogwoods season is short, but breathtaking. Try and get here to see them, (, they are probably 2 to 3 weeks away.

And eventually the Magnolia and Rhododenron will signal the switch from spring to summer.

Everyone should spend some part of spring EVERY YEAR in our little corner of the world, or at least in the Southeastern US. And when you get here, give me a call, I'll try and tell where my favorite displays of this week's blooms, whatever they are, can be found.

The United Van Lines Study (see my last post) got me thinking about a Top Ten list I composed for a prospect a while back. I have cut, pasted, updated and generalized it here for Active Rainers everywhere:

#10 (Still) Undervalued properties and a strong market in the face of declining markets in many other traditional retirement areas. Buy ALL of the house for 2/3rds of the price!;

#9 Close to a guarantee that prices will be driven up as the US Army relocates FORSCOM from Georgia to Fayetteville and other base realignment. This assures that Fort Bragg becomes the largest military installation in the world. Personnel in higher pay grades are already looking for the quality of life that Moore County can offer;

#8 Ridiculously low taxes--An Annual tax bill that will look like a couple of month's worth of what you pay in New York, or Florida, or California, or lots of other places (many that also have sleet, snow and freezing rain);

#7 World class health facilities with Moore Regional Hospital http://www.firsthealth.org/About%20FirstHealth/Moore%20Regional/index.htm ;

#6 No direct hurricane hits, so you can actually get home-owners insurance;

#5 A strong tourist economy which provides an array of dining opportunities and recreational amenities that includes a variety of eclectic, charming, and tasty independent chef-owned places with fabulous menus, great food and often, great prices, as well as a broad selection of the Outback/Chilis/Bonefish/Applebees type franchises, and a solid representation of the drive-thru fast food type;

#4 Moore County Airport ( http://www.moorecountyairport.com/), currently handling General Aviation traffic is only 5-10 minutes from your door, anywhere in Pinehurst, a private pilot's dream;

#3 Not just golf, but great golf, golf recognized the world over as great( http://www.homeofgolf.com/golf/topnccourses/index.htm ) and plenty of it, along with a variety of other recreational pursuits--lots of tennis, equestrian activities, cycling, lawn bowling, croquet(seriously!), bocce, and a world-class spa;

#2 Pinehurst #2 (special in so many ways, it is worth mentioning twice-- top ranked course in the state, beloved course of decades of professionals, home to two recent US Opens, and a myriad of other national and international events.);

#2 If tennis is your game, Pinehurst consistently ranks in the tennis magazines as a great destination. The interest in tennis rivals the interest in golf;

#2 Security without gates. Our crime rate is among the lowest in the state, if not the nation.

#2 Keep your cultural sanity--North Carolina Symphony is here 6 times a year, we have live theatre, art, crafts festivals, and a WIDE variety of concerts and musical events from Jazz to Blue-Grass;

#2 Village charm, metropolitan convenience;

#2 A traffic jam equals a 3 minute wait at the traffic circle;

#2 An hour from Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle, and RDU airport, for all of the opportunities this fast growing area provides (a whole 'nuther list!);

#2 Four airports that can literally connect you to the world: Raleigh-Durham; Greensboro; and Fayetteville, all from 45 minutes to an hour and 15 away;and Charlotte's is about 2 hours.

#2 Two hours from the ocean, three from the mountains, and right in the heart of the beautiful Sandhills;

#2 Mild winters, GLORIOUS, LONG springs and falls and summers that aren't typically hotter than what you are probably used to;

And the # 1 reason:

Moore County is populated by the nicest, friendliest, most outgoing people you would ever want to meet, the Southerners, the Northerners, the 'Tweeners and the Halfbacks!

If I manage to get it right, you should find a link to a wonderful virtual tour of our area,

created by Lacey Conn of Virtual Tours Plus! in Pinehurst.

http://www.realtourvision.com/tour.display.php?utl=SC-0390-EY8HWH-01

This is really a pretty special part of the country and Lacey has incorporated some of the highlights of Pinehurst in this tour. (I do have to note that she needs to correct the typo where she refers to Pinehurst #2 as Pinehurst #3. All the serious golfers will notice!)

Air Force General Lance L. Smith officially retired Friday, November 9^th and turned over the reins of the dual commands of NATO Allied Command Transformation and Joint Forces Command to Marine General James Mattis at an official ceremony aboard the carrier George Washington in Norfolk, VA. Among the notable officials honoring General Smith at both his retirement ceremony and the change of command were several who noted the general's choice of community for his retirement with more than a little wistful envy. At the retirement ceremony, both Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and Air Force General Joseph Redden, Retired, suggested that Lance and Linda Smith have chosen well the location for their retirement and wished them well as they head for Pinehurst.

And later in the day, at the official change of command ceremony on the hangar deck of the Washington, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff referred to the Smiths' decision to relocate to Pinehurst, and take some time off to play a little golf as a "splendid idea" and wished them luck as they "teed up" their new life. The most interesting prediction for General Smith's retirement however, came from Italian Ambassador, Claudio Bisogniero, NATO Deputy Secretary General, when he said "...if the determination with which you have carried out your appointment as Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation is anything to judge by, then I would not be surprised at all to see you on the first tee at Pinehurst #2 when the US Open is played there in 2013."

The Smiths found their Pinehurst home with the assistance of Jill Ford of FrontGate Properties and are moving to Pinewild at the end of this month. The Pinehurst area has attracted the best of the best of military retirees for decades, and we are fortunate indeed that General and Mrs. (Lance and Linda) Smith have decided to do their part in the continuance of that tradition.