Oriental, NC

Marvin, a fellow agent, and I both live and work primarily in the Oriental NC area, but frequently assist clients in other areas also. Since our company office is located in New Bern, we have an interest in keeping informed about the history surrounding that area. Tours are not all the same and we learn about different things with each tour taken. Most of these tours are walking or riding in a bus or trolley. Recently, we took the New Bern Colonial Capitol tour, which uses the Segway People Movers for transportation.

The Segway is one of the neatest machines I have ever seen. After a brief instruction session, we were outfitted with helmets and a receiver to better hear about the various buildings and sites, then we were on our way. Never having been aboard a Segway before was no problem, they are very easy to use. You must be careful not to rub up against a curb or another rider's wheel, and be attentive when riding on a slanted surface.

I won't go into the history that we learned, but can tell you that we learned quite a lot and had a great time. If you happen to find yourself in New Bern with a couple free hours on your hands, this tour is highly recommended. Contact Neal Davis at: http://www.tarheeladventures.com/. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Joe Brant

Let's address the two main questions first. Whenever and wherever I go in my little "jeep", everybody seems to love it, and very few have ever seen one before. So, I frequently get stopped by people (including police officers), who ask me the same two questions:

1. What is it? and...
   
2. Where can I get one?

What it is... is an Austin Mini Moke, the most unusual variant of the old "classic" Mini from the 60's. It is about 4 1/2 feet wide and 10 feet long, has a 4 cylinder 1 liter engine, 4 speed transmission, gets 42 MPG and the book says top speed is 81 MPH.

The Moke was designed in the late 50's, to be a replacement utility vehicle for the British Army. The British Army chose not to purchase Mini Mokes, and a very limited number were produced between 1963 and 1993. They were never "cheap", and still aren't.

Where can you get one? You might find one on eBay, or I can connect you with sources.

Anyway I got my little Mini Moke out of it's garage just before Independence Day, and found that it needed new rear wheel bearings. My parts supplier had them in my hands two days later.

With the new bearings installed, a short test ride followed. Within three miles, I discovered that it was also time to install a new exhaust system. In the photo above, the old exhaust system has been removed and the new one should be installed before the weekend.

If you see me out cruising around Oriental, give me a shout.

Joe

www.JoeBrant.com

Mark your calendar for this wonderful event that is helping local pets and their owners.

ORIENTAL — The Pamlico Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has changed the date of its third annual dog parade.

The new date is Saturday, March 29.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. from Lou Mac Park go through a residential area to return to the park.

Judges will award prizes in categories such as best behaved and best costume.

Proceeds go to the Pamlico Animal Welfare Society which aids in education for pet owners, helps with veterinarian care and provides dog and cat food when necessary.

Sonja Babic with Prudential Clear Water Realty is you New Bern and North Carolina Real Estate Broker! Looking for waterfront, historic or golf? We have it all! Conveniently located and with so much to offer New Bern is a great place to work, play and retire!

Please contact me for more information’s or to request your FREE info pack!

Your North Carolina Broker

www.SonjaBabic.com

252-617-0861

About a month ago, mid-September, Mark and Gail arrived from Illinois to look at some property in New Bern. While in the area, they also wanted to take a look at available properties in Oriental. I met with them briefly on Friday morning, just before they left with Craig to view the New Bern properties. Craig had referred them to me for viewing properties in Oriental as I have owned property there since 1992, and make my home there.

We met again on Saturday morning and headed out to see what was available in the area. I told them a little about the village and the many varied shops, organizations, and businesses here as we looked at homes, lots and marinas. They let me know that they had finished looking in New Bern early the previous day, and had driven down to Oriental to look around. We stopped at the Deli for lunch, and took a table on the deck to enjoy the view. I called my wife to see if she would like to join us, and she walked down from the house, making the meal that much more enjoyable. Actually she had accidently locked herself out, so it was a good thing we went back to town for lunch.

The meal, the company, the conversation and the view made the day a memorable event. A perfectly relaxing time in the most relaxing place I have ever been to or lived in. Toward the end of our meal, we spoke of staying in contact. I found out that Mark and Gail have a two-page foldout photo of Oriental on their refrigerator. Then Gail suggested that I send a photograph of something in the area each time I make contact with my customers and clients. What a great idea!!!

A few days later I received an email, letting me know that they had returned to Oriental after church on Sunday and had enjoyed sitting in the Adirondack chairs in the park overlooking the river. I don't recall where I found this photograph, but I did not take the picture. When I saw it I immediately knew who it might have some meaning to. So Gail, this one is for you, and thank you for the Great Idea!

Joe

www.JoeBrant.com