Carol Smith

Parade of Homes

Alamance County Home Builders Association - Alamance County North Carolina

This weekend is the opening of the Parade of Homes in Alamance County, North Carolina.

Of all the beautiful homes to view I wanted to point out the new home that is behind my own home in Graham, North Carolina.

Welcome to 2082 River Vista Lane, Graham, NC! This is a gorgeous log home in a wooded setting with a large wraparound deck that will just knock your socks off! Not only is this home beautiful on the outside, it has a warm and welcoming interior - complete with a gorgeous stone fireplace!

Being in a convenient location to commute to Greensboro, Burlington, Chapel Hill or Durham this home is a true paradise with amenities! Secluded yet accessible. There is plenty of space, nice closets, upgraded fixtures like hammered copper sinks in the baths, gorgeous wood floors and windows all around to allow you to see nature at its best.

The open, flowing floorplan is great for entertaining. And with the gorgeous kitchen ... well, you will certainly want to be showing off your culinary talents!

This beautiful log home is #16 on the Parade of Homes route. Make sure to mark it on your map so you don't miss it!

Just take a look! Think it's gorgeous on the outside? Wait till you get inside!

Some of the features of this beautiful home are:

Alamance County is located in central North Carolina. Part of the Piedmont/Triad region. It's a wonderful mix of urban growth and rural roots. Rolling farms with breathtaking views and subdivisions boasting new homes. A beautiful place to celebrate the July 4th holiday with friends and family.

I found an article on the internet this morning that raised a couple of questions for me and I'd like your opinion on the matter.

It seems as though a real estate agent in Boulder, Colorado employed a marketing idea that has been used by many businesses for as long as I can remember. His efforts have been met with mixed emotions. And the whole story makes me wonder ... if the opposers are so upset with this agent's efforts, are they just as upset with the furniture store that uses the flag and banners to advertise? the supermarket that flies the flag with the intent of promoting their business and their specials? the liquor store that affixes flag labels to their shelves to promote certain beverages to help celebrate the holiday? or the local fraternal organizations that use the flag to promote their cause and solicit donations?

It seems as though this agent's efforts to promote pride in the flag, as well as promote himself, to celebrate Independence Day with an independent thought, is deemed by some to be inappropriate. Others thought it was creative and they appreciated it.

Read the article. Share your thoughts on his marketing effort.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE JULY 4TH! Celebrate our independence and say a prayer for the safe return of our service men and women.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Burlington, North Carolina is the perfect place to make good use of the $8,000 tax credit available to first-time homebuyers. What are you waiting for?

Burlington, North Carolina is located between the Triangle area of Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill and the metropolitan area of Greensboro. Commuting to either area is accessible via I40/85, the home prices are very reasonable and there is a varied selection of homes to choose from in order to take advantage of the tax credit!

Whether you want new construction in the suburbs (Graham, Elon, Gibsonville, Whitsett) or a pre-owned home in an established neighborhood, there are homes available that, combined with the tax credit, can make your dreams of homeownership come true!

There is plenty of shopping – both chain stores and local businesses, a regional medical center, many recreational opportunities, colleges and universities, beautiful parks ... and all in an area rich with the history of yesteryear blended with the successes of the future.

If you are a first-time homebuyer, or a buyer that has not owned a home in the past three years, then you could be eligible for this wonderful incentive.

Imagine! You could be spending the holidays in your very own home!

The best way to find out more about this wonderful tool ... contact a Realtor today!

Not just another small town! Burlington, NC has it all!

Saturday - April 4, 2009

North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC

The Native American Studies center at NCSU sponsored a powwow yesterday. And I have to say, they did a great job of putting it all together. (My only wish ... was that they had held it outside. Indoors just doesn't feel right)

I would strongly suggest to the administration of NCSU ... Please get the advertising/marketing materials approved and out to the public at least a month in advance of the event. Had it not been for my friend Jamie Oxendine sending me an email about the event, I would never have known it was happening.

Now that I have that out of the way ...

The gathering of people in the gymnasium spanned all generations, and the air of mutual respect was rife with culture. Each and every time I attend one of these events I learn something new and take away an even greater respect for the native Americans. We owe them an awful lot, as they were the true pioneers of our country.

As I watched the dancers prepare for the exhibition I could hear the drums and chants behind me. It made for a strange feeling ... seeing the faces of todays young preparing to honor the legends of their ancestry ... actually quite sobering.

But to watch the ceremonial dancing ... if you've never seen it there is no way on earth for you to understand.

Here are a few photos just to share the feeling, the energy, the colors ... Hope you enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow **If you recognize any of the dancers, please email with their names. I would be happy to edit the slideshow to give them credit for their participation. Thanks!

I received an email from a friend advising me of a wonderful event that is happening this weekend - tomorrow actually - at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jamie Oxendine of the Black Swamp Intertribal Foundation has been asked to be the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Jamie is of Lumbee ancestry and very knowledgeable in Native American history.

There's a PowWow taking place!

It's at the Carmichael Gymnasium at North Carolina State University and is hosted by the Office of Native American Student Affairs.

If you have never attended one of these gatherings I strongly urge you to do so. There is so much to learn, so much to see. So many wonderful customs to get acquainted with. And many of those customs help to explain some of the more current behaviors that we all employ.

After all ... the future is rooted in the past. And if it were not for the Native Americans ... well, our history would not be near as interesting.

If you'd like to read more about powwows and the Native American people, check out the info available at the NCSU site.

You can also check the calendar and learn much more at PowWows.com. If there is one of these events near you, or in an area you will be traveling to ... you won't be disappointed if you go.