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Tish Lloyd Real Estate Agent Wrightsville Beach, NC

Things to do in Wilmington NC -- Poplar Grove Plantation Christmas Open House

Things to do in Wilmington NC -- Poplar Grove Plantation Christmas Open House

Picture of greenery and candlesLooking for something to do this weekend in Wilmington NC? How about an Old-Fashioned Plantation Christmas Celebration?

Poplar Grove Plantation, in Scott's Hill, will be hosting their Annual Christmas Open House December 4, 2011 from 12p ~ 5p. Admission is FREE!

First opened as a museum in 1980, Poplar Grove Plantation is one of the oldest existing peanut plantations in North Carolina. The current manor home was built in 1849 by Joseph M. Foy and remained a family home until the mid 1970's. Picture of homemade ornament

Come see the manor home decorated as it would have been in the 1850's, tour the grounds which include; blacksmith shop, weaver, basket maker, tenant house, ponies, ducks, goats and more! Enjoy a visit and Christmas story with Santa and Mrs. Claus, take a hay ride ($5 per person) and shop local at the Arts and Craft show.

Poplar Grove Plantation is just minutes north of Wilmington NC, at 10200 US Highway 17N.


Island of Lights Festival Christmas Flotilla in Carolina Beach NC

Island of Lights Festival Christmas Flotilla in Carolina Beach NC

Join your friends and neighbors this Saturday, December 3, 2011 for the Island of Lights Festival Christmas Flotilla in Carolina Beach NC.

Picture of lit boat

The brightly lit boats will cruise from Snow's Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back beginning at 6p. Best viewing area is probably at the Boat Basin and you'll want to get there early to get a good spot!

Don't forget to plan time to see all the sights on the Boardwalk and at Carolina Beach Lake Park. This little beach town may be sleepy in the winter, but it's never dull!

Best of all? All this fun is FREE! So mark the calendar, surprise the kids with an evening of fun in Carolina Beach NC and make memories to last a lifetime!

This year I'm giving my family and myself the gift of memories

This year I'm giving my family and myself the gift of memories

I don't know about you, but I've got more "stuff" than Carter has liver pills. And as much as I like Picture of tired dogsmy "stuff" I feel no need to add to it. For one thing, there's no room. For another, I don't need it. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like Christmas has become more work and less fun. I have no desire to spend 30 minutes looking for a parking space only to fight the crowds, spend more money than I need to, pull my back out carrying bags full of "stuff" only to spend another 30 minutes trying to remember where I parked. I'm tired just thinking about it.

When I mentioned to my daughter that I really didn't want her to spend money on gifts for me this year she said:

"You know, Mom, other than one or two big gifts, I don't really remember the presents. I do remember the time you got us out of bed because a Christmas show came on after bedtime. I remember looking in the sky for Santa on the ride home from Grandaddy's house every Christmas Eve, and driving around looking at all the Christmas decorations; all those times we spent delivering food and gifts to a family who was less fortunate. I love how we always got new pajamas on Christmas Eve, baking cookies, decorating the house and visiting family. Could our gifts this year just be making memories of time together, instead of "stuff" we don't need or want?"

Once we started talking about it, we realized how many things we can do this Christmas season that don't cost a fortune and will give us memories to cherish for many years to come. Here in Wilmington NC it's really easy to find ways to enjoy the season that don't break the bank, but do fill the heart.

Cinnamon & Zoe at Enchanted Airlie1. Enchanted Airlie. Enjoy the beautiful lights of this Wilmington NC treasure. Take an entire carload for only $22. Reservations are required.
2. Wilmington NC Christmas Parade on December 4, 2011. Our favorite spot to watch the parade is on the steps of the courthouse. Be sure to get there early, bring a thermos of hot chocolate, a blanket and your Holiday Cheer!
3. Cheer on the runners at the Jingle Bell Run in Wrightsville Beach NC.
4. Check out the Christmas Lights in Carolina Beach NC.

5. Take a stroll on the Riverwalk in Downtown Wilmington. The Battleship North Carolina will be lit up and it's free to see from Downtown! Wilmington NC Christmas Parade
6. Visit Mayfaire's Santa Village.
7. Enjoy the Sea Notes Choral Society's FREE annual holiday concert, The Sounds of
Christmas.
8. Take in the Kure Beach NC Christmas Fantasy Show on K Avenue December 9, 10 & 11 at 6:30p.
9. Park the car and take a Holiday Lights Trolley Tour of Historic Wilmington NC. Family admission (2 adults and up to 3 children) is $25.
10. Take a cruise on the Henrietta III to Pick up Santa! Admission is 6 non-perishable food items and reservations are required!

This is just the beginning of our list. We've already started baking cookies, we're going to make some new ornaments for the tree, host an old-fashioned Christmas Open House, watch It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story at least 10 times, play Christmas music all day, spend time helping those in our community who are struggling this Christmas season and just need a little love and caring, donate some toys and treats to our local animal shelter and spend some time just being in the same room with nothing to do but enjoy each other's company.

Don't get me wrong, if for some reason my daughter feels the need to buy me a sporty little BMW convertible I'll make room for it! But just in case she doesn't, I'm going to be more than happy with all of our new memories.

Sometimes the first home IS the right home!

Sometimes the first home IS the right home!

There's a Chevy commercial playing on tv right now that shows a couple looking for a new apartment. They dismiss the first home they look at because of the light fixtures and size and proceed to drive all over town looking at other homes. After looking at 6 or 7 more homes, all with major issues, they end up back at the first home saying, "It's perfect!". I know the commercial is about what great gas mileage you can get from the Chevy -- but it really hit me that it's indicative of home buyers today as well.

But, Tish, I saw one on my way to soccer practice I think we should look at too. I know it's not in the area we want, or even a style we like, but shouldn't we look at everything to be sure we're making the right choice?

Image of person trying to find homeThere are SO many homes on the market home buyers are overwhelmed. They feel they need to see everything out there so they don't miss out. And they're running themselves ragged for no reason.

You know what I think when I see the commercial?

"Find yourselves a REALTOR® who listens to your needs and wants and doesn't waste your time, energy or gas. And don't be afraid to fall in love with the first home you see!"

Yes, it's good to see some homes that don't exactly fit your criteria. But why spend your valuable time looking at homes which don't even come close? Why would you want to spend a beautiful Saturday looking at homes which don't fulfill your needs or wants? What is there to gain by viewing homes that need thousands of dollars in work if you're not going to be able to afford the repairs? If you're adamant about a particular school district, why look outside of it?

Having a good REALTOR®, one who listens, puts you first and whom you trust, on your team is invaluable. When you're working with a professional; someone who knows the area, knows the homes and listens to you, then chances are you're going to find the right home for you faster than when you go it alone. In fact, if you're working with a REALTOR® who is truly listening to you, then you just might find the right home for you the first time out! It happens all the time. Know why?Image of Home

Because your REALTOR® listened to you. They heard what you said and they found you homes that fit your needs and wants. And if you insist on seeing EVERY home out there you might just miss out on that perfect for you home. Because if you love it, why wouldn't someone else?

Working with the right REALTOR® for you will help you be in the right home for you faster, easier and without wasting all of your time, energy or gas.

If you're ready to buy a home in Wilmington NC, give me a call. I'll always put your needs and wants first. Let me help you find your way home without wasting your time, energy or gas!


Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Day October 2, 2011 in Wilmington NC

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Day October 2, 2011 in Wilmington NC

On October 2, 1961, The USS Battleship North Carolina came home to Wilmington NC and she's been educating and delighting visitors ever since.

Picture of Battleship North Carolina

The City of Wilmington NC has officially proclaimed October 2, 2011 Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Day and as way of saying THANKS the Battleship will be open to the public at 1961 prices. That's .25 child and .50 adult! Ahhh, the good old days! Cash only!

Lots of special events are planned for the day --

8a ~ 12p Battleship Alive Watch and interact with World War II living history interpreters as they bring the Ship to life by re-enacting daily duties & drills.

1:30p ~ 2p Reflection Ceremony Join Executive Director of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, Captain Terry Bragg, as he speaks to the community on the history and the future of the Battleship. Ceremony will include presentation of colors, National Anthem as performed by the Cape Fear Chordsmen and other medleys provided by Beach Music Barbershop Quartet. Conclusion of the program will be commenced with a fly-by of the Spirit of North Carolina, a World War II Douglas A-26 Invader aircraft.

4p ~ 5p Enjoy music from the 60's with local band, The Imitations

5p Taps

Hope we'll see you there!

Just one more reason why, Everything's Better at the Beach . . .!