Sherry Mills

Oh my gosh! It was 18 degrees this morning when I got up at 6:30 am. It felt sooooo good to have dry weather, the sun shining and no wind! It was 62 degrees Saturday, but foggy, rainy and just depressing! I'll take 18, sunny and dry any day! But I didn't blog today to talk about the weather. I want to tell you why Statesville, NC is the place to be.

1) We have good schools. For more information go to: http://iss.schoolwires.com

2) We have a great downtown with something always going on. As a matter of fact, I think we have one of the best Chamber of Commerces around. Check out the calendar for the chamber at www.statesvillechamber.org

3) We have two of the three hospitals in Iredell County, both conventiently located right off the interstates. www.iredellmemorial.org. and www.davisregional.com

4) We have plenty of veterinary hospitals. www.statesvilllepetdocs.com, Davis Animal Hospital on Turnersburg Highway, Stony Point Animal Clinic in Stony Point for large animals, Statesville Bovine & Equine Clinic PA off I40 for large animals, Iredell Animal Companion Hospital off Davie Ave., Scotts Creek Animal Hospital off Scotts Creek Road and Highway 115, and Northlake Animal Hospital off Old Mocksville Road.

5) We have some of the best medical doctors here. http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/drs/north_carolina/STATESVILLE.html

6) Attorneys too! http://www.lawyers.com/North-Carolina/Statesville/browse-by-area-of-law.html

7) Shopping! ok, I'll be honest. That is something we could use a little more of, but it's coming! Exit 42 off I77 is starting their major retail/commercial/residential complex! Yes! Shopping! Currently, we do have a mall, a JR's Cigar & Gifts, and lots & lots of specialty shops downtown which are well worth visiting.

8) Music instructors! Need piano lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, violins, etc? There are some excellent teachers around town. Just ask the locals and they can point you in the right direction. Google JBaily Music on Cameron Rd., Rimfire Music Studios on Broad, or Green Room Recording.

9) Drug Stores! My favorite is Lowry Drug Co. The pharmacist is a leading authority in compounding, homeopathics, natural medicines, natural hormone replacement, as well as conventional pharmacueticals. www.lowrydrug.com. Oh, by the way, did I mention he is a personal friend of mine? (I married him). Or the others drug stores available to you are CVS, Eckerd, KMart, Walgreens, First RX, Cookes, Banner Drug, Bi-Lo, Wal-Mart, and many others.

10) Recreation! Now that's what I'm talking about. We have running groups, bicycle groups, basketball, soccer, football (high school - a spectator sport), gymnastics, dance, hiking groups, motorcycle groups, equestrian activities, you name it we just about have it. We are close to snow skiing, we definitely have water skiing, boating, many parks and did I mention bull riding in the summer? !

So, here are 10 great reasons why I think Statesville, NC is a great place to live, buy real estate, own a home, or have a vacation home at the lake and just visit during the summer months! Need more information on homes in Stateville? visit: www.sherrymills.net or www.tarheel-realty.com

I checked it out. I went to the Second Fret last night arount 9:00 o'clock. My husband's office Christmas party was last night and as soon as we were able to leave we headed on downtown to the Second Fret. I have to say I was really impressed. Mel Jones and his Bag of Bones was there playing. He is a local boy from Davie County just next door to us here in Iredell County (for those of you who don't know the area). He was entertaining to say the least. I'd call it Blue Grass with a twist. It was upbeat, funny, engaging and it was music you could dance to. I would highly recommend going here on Friday and Saturday nights if you are living in or around Statesville or just visiting. They have great food too! Go for lunch or dinner as well as the music.

visit: www.SherryMills.net

How I miss those sunny days when I can get out and ride!!! This is not really strange weather we are having, but golly I would rather it be cold consistently or just stay the same all year round. I should move to Hawaii or the south Pacific Islands, Grand Cayman or something rather than complain! I know, I know..... we need the rain and this is typical for North Carolina. Warm one day and cold the next. It sure makes it tough to get motivated to get out do my Christmas shopping.

So, here is my remedy! I am going to think positive thoughts and go out to visit with friends. This Friday I plan on going downtown to the Second Fret where there will be music and lots of people enjoying the evening. I can have dinner, a few drinks, relax and forget about the weather. Many of my friends will be there 'shooting the breeze' so to speak. This establishment just opened this summer and has been a huge sucess for Statesville. I would encourage you to visit here when you are in town shopping for homes for sale. Then take the time to talk to the locals and ask about the city of Statesville, the great schools we have here, public and private. Anyway, come visit, sit, relax and have a good time. Merry Christmas to all. Want to know more about the City of Stateville and homes for sale? just visit www.SherryMills.net.

What do all those letters mean? How effective is an agent who has these tags behind their name? Times are sure changing. Thank goodness for that. People are becoming better educated all the way around and Realtors are required to have the best real estate education possible. In my opinion, a Realtor who continues his/her education with designations have a better understanding of how to run a business, meet the needs of the public, and most importantly understand the laws of real estate. Professional Realtors tend to be time oriented, good negotiators, understanding and knowledgable in their business. This comes with education and practice.

The National Association of Realtors, website www.realtor.org, is the source to research to find out what your Realtor's designation means. You can type in 'designation' in the search area and be taken to a page listing all the designations with an explanation of each. I currently hold, ABR, CRS, and e-Pro. I plan on working on more for the upcoming year of 2009. Maybe I will pursue GRI, or GREEN, which seems to be an important designation now. With the ongoing trend to be more energy efficient I want to be up-to-date on recognizing and understanding green so I can educate my client and answers any questions they may have in this area. And that's what it is all about, understanding the ins and outs of the product and being able to achieve the best service for the client. For more information on homes in Statesville, please visit www.SherryMills.net

ONE MORE GOOD REASON to live in Statesville, NC. There is always something to do here. I have a neighbor down the street who moved here with her husband about three years ago. They are retired and I visit with them often in the mornings during our walking rounds of the neighborhood. I always enjoy seeing this couple who are retired and are very upbeat. I will always remember a conversation I had with this lady whom I shall call "Christmas Carol". I call her this because everytime I talk with her she puts music in my life. Anyway, she told me that she and her husband are so very pleased they moved to Statesville because there was always something to do close by and they were never bored. They are always on the go visiting with friends downtown in the mornings, visiting events around town. For retired New Yorkers to be so pleased with our relaxed atmosphere here in town really tells me that we do have a special place here in Statesville. So, just to keep you up-to-date on some of the things going on here this month:

YMCA of Barium Springs - Holiday Concert December 12, 7 - 9pm and Festival
of Trees - December 12 - 27. View the beautiful trees on the lawn.

Call 704-883-0780 to purchase a tree for advertising.

Carolina Bar-B-Q - "Harmony For Fun" , a quartet made up of "local boys",
will be performing at Carolina Bar-B-Q on Tuesday evening, December 16 at
6:30pm. They will be doing a variety of songs. Come hear the music and enjoy
the fun. Carolina Bar-B-Q is located at 213 Salisbury Rd. Call (704)
873-5585 for more information

America's Home Place sponsors Toys For Tots and invites you to relieve a
Marine. A Marine will be standing guard until we fill an entire POD with
toys. Please join us this season in making the holiday special for all the
children this program contributes to. We will be taking donations for Toys
For Tots from now until December 15. America's Home Place model home center
is located at 1206 Greenland Drive, Statesville, NC

For more information contact Jill Schooley 704-872-4400 or
<mailto:jschooley@americashomeplace.com> jschooley@americashomeplace.com

The Second Fret Coffeehouse and Music Hall ---- Lately this is the place to be!

240 West Broad Street
Statesville, NC 28677
704-878-9889

It is a full-service restaurant/café fashioned after the big city coffeehouses of the 1960's and 70's where music and other forms of entertainment were the highlight. The Second Fret features a variety of coffee drinks, beer and wine and a reasonably priced menu featuring soups, salads, sandwiches and daily specials. The Music Hall invites entertainers of all types to perform, including folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass and comedy as well as special non-musical events, fundraisers and open mic and jam sessions.

Lots and Lots of fun here in town. Wish you could be here! www.SherryMills.net