Onslow County NC Homes Talk

If you do not have time to cook dinner but you do not want to feed your family fast food, what can you do?

Joe Miller's article "Going Out to Cook" provides you with the solution.

  If you live or work in Jacksonville, N C or surrounding Onslow County,  the answer is "Dinnersmart" which opened Friday August 24.  This is the first of this type of restaurant in our area.

These are very popular on the West coast and there are some in some of the larger cities in North Carolina such as Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington. 

This is a do-it-yourself food prep store.  You can visit the website, choose the meals you want to prepare and schedule a time.    The recipe, ingredients, prep sauce and storage containers are included.

 "Dinnersmart"  eliminates the prep time and washing dishes.   The meal is ready to be assembled and cooked at your leisure in your kitchen at home. 

There are several menus to choose from.  A meal typically serves 4-6 people and the cost for the first 3 meals is $21/meal, but if you make 12 meals - the cost is $18.50/meal. 

A great time and work saver for working Moms.  Be sure to check it out.  We want to support new area business and let them know how delighted we are they chose to locate in Jacksonville, N C. 

Dinnersmart is located at 461 Western Boulevard in Jacksonville.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist    910 459 9189    Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes 

We take pride in assisting Military families locate a home in Onslow County 

Do you remember a few weeks ago there was a story in the news about first born children having a higher I.Q than their siblings?  There were many theories as to the reason(s).

Read the story as reported in the New York Times.

I guess this has just been sitting at the back of my brain and simmering.  You see, I am not the oldest but the second child.  Do I think my brother is smarter? I most certainly do not.    Is his I.Q higher?  To be honest, I really don't know about that. 

What birth order are you? Do you think it made a difference in your success in school?  In relationships?  In your career?   

How about your children?  What kind of differences do you see?  Do you believe the differences are due to birth order?  

I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts on these questions. 

(Photo property of Cynthia Tilghman) 

Hi Onslow County and surrounding area residents.    I bet you think the nearest zoo to your home in Jacksonville, N C is the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, N C, a 3 1/2 hour drive away.  I have good news for you.  There is a zoo right here in Jacksonville where you can take your kids for a wonderful outing. 

The Lynwood Park Zoo is located at 1071 Wells Road in Jacksonville and they have an amazing array of animals.  The zoo opened in 1994 and is staffed entirely by volunteers.

There are more than 80 animal exhibits which include many species of mammals, birds and reptiles.  I've never met a child that did not enjoy a visit to the zoo and watching the animals.  Have you?

 (Photo property of Cynthia Tilghman)

Hours of operation are:

Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday - 10-6
Tuesday.  Wednesday and Thursday - By appointment only  - A great time for groups to schedule a guided safari 

Admission:
Under 2 - Free                                                                                                                            
2 - 12 Year - $5.00
12-Adult - $6.00



Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189  

Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Make Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military families locate a home in

Onslow County, N C

John Cooney, a retired Marine and resident of Jacksonville, Onslow County, N C, has always had a tremendous respect for the American flag.  It pained him to see a  torn, tattered or incorrectly displayed flag. So he made it his mission and  a habit whenever he saw a worn, tattered flag to stop and ask the owner to replace or repair it.  His story is told in the Jacksonville Daily News by Jennifer Hlad.

Recently, according to the story, it seemed to Mr. Cooney that there were more and more flags that needed replacing and he could not, personally, stop at every location as he traveled  to and from his home in Jacksonville, N C.    He made the decision to go online and seek the assistance of other Hubert, Jacksonville, Swansboro and surrounding Onslow County veterans to help him with his mission, to remind these people of the rules and etiquette for flying the American flag. 

Mr. Cooney's reminder is one that needs to be resounded throughout the country.  If you fly the flag, make sure it is in good repair and is displayed properly.  It is a matter of respect.



Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189

Contact me

So what are your plans for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?  Will you be working, playing or spending time with family and/or friends? 

It is interesting to hear what others do on holidays.  Some take full advantage and take the 4 day weekend for

• traveling

• a vacation

• or just relaxing at home with family and friends.  

 

(Photo property of Cynthia Tilghman)

Then there are those who choose to work (is choose the right word?  LOL).  For agents who work in

• resort areas
  
  
• military relocation areas
  
  
• retirement areas

holidays are often the busiest.  This is a time when people have the time off to travel and house shop.  

Whatever your plans are for the holiday weekend, I wish you a Happy Labor Day.   

 Have you met the Cake Doctor?

If your family enjoys homemade cakes and you just don't feel like you have the time or energy for baking from scratch, you need the Cake Doctor cook book.   The beauty of the recipes contained in this book is they are fast, easy and delicious. 

Anne Byrn is the author of the Cake Doctor and she is the master cake maker using package cake mixes to which she adds special ingredients to enhance the flavor and appearance.  Anne's cookbook includes recipes for:

• Layer cakes
• Sheet cakes
• Coffee cakes
• Bar cookies
• Brownies
• Frostings

(Photo courtesy of Flickr - Brooklyn Hilary) 

Another thing I really like about the cookbook is that inside the front cover on the first few pages there are thumbnail photos of all the cakes, etc. contained in the book with the name of the recipe and the page number. 

I just now found the Cake Doctor website, take a look.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist  910 459 9189     Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc. , Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County 

Never say never, never give up a dream.  That must be the motto of 59 year old Mike Flint who has enrolled in college and will be playing on the college football team come September.   It seems he was kicked off his college football team prior to his senior year and it has been a regret that he has lived with all these years. 

Flint is a grandfather and his youngest starts college this year.  He and his wife were planning on retiring but plans have changed with a move to Texas where he will be perhaps the oldest player in college football history.

Read the story in its entirety for all the details of Mike Flint's life, regrets and dream come true. Is he nuts or someone we can learn from?

I think we all can learn from Mike, if we have a vision, dream or goal, it can happen--but not without work, time, persistence and the belief that we can do it.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes 

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County North Carolina when relocating to Camp Lejeune 

Area specialist for homes in Hubert North Carolina 

Hi Everyone!  I just wanted to let you know about another great kids' event.  On September 6, at 5 PM, the Onslow County Parks and Recreation Dept. is sponsoring an End of the Summer Party at Chuck E. Cheese in Jacksonville.  

Cost - $5.99 and for that cost each child receives:

2 slices of pizza

Soda

16 tokens

 

Photo Courtesy of Flickr - Michel Vuijlstke 

 
                                                           You know the kids will love this--Enjoy,  summer 2007 is almost history
 

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military families locate a home in Onslow County, N C  

North Carolina has been targeted as one of the fastest growing retirement areas in the U.S. 

I recently saw  a survey by NARA (developer of communities for 55 and over) which showed that North Carolina is the Number 1 future retirement choice for the 41-49 age group and that among all surveyed (ages 41-69)North Carolina ranked number 3  coming in behind Florida and Arizona. 

There are currently about 78 million baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) in the United States and these people are retiring or thinking about retiring soon.  Retirees have a lot to offer  and use less of the county/city services than most other groups.  These people are usually very active in community activities, civic organizations and bring more disposable income to an area than other groups of residents. 

Eastern North Carolina has much to offer retirees with our mild year round climate, waterfront living and activities, arts and cultural communities and recreational facilities.  Perhaps you are one of those who will be looking a new home in Hubert, N C or another area of Onslow County.

Retirees we welcome you to North Carolina--Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina. 

Cynthia Tilghman,Realtor® Onslow County Home Specialist  910 459 9189

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc. , Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting military families find a home in Onslow County

Photos courtesy of Flickr - dpdixon (beach)

                                      bridgepix (sunset)

A dear friend that we lost to cancer last year shared this recipe.  I hope you will enjoy it as much as the people I have served it to.  It is a fabulous dessert and can be prepared well ahead of time.  

1 box (19.8 oz.) fudge brownie mix (prepared per directions on box)

1/2 cup Kahlua

3 (3.5 oz. boxes) chocolate mousse mix (prepared per directions on box)

1 pkg. of Bits of Brickle

1 Skor or Heath candy bar (crushed)

12 oz. Cool Whip 

Bake brownies according to directions on box.  Cool. 

Punch holes in brownie top with a fork.  Pour Kahlua over and set aside. 

Prepare mousse per directions, set aside.

Cut prepared brownies (soaked with Kahlua) in bite size pieces and place in bottom of dish (I use a trifle dish--looks pretty and size is just right). 

Cover brownies pieces with half the prepared mousse, next sprinkle half the Bits of Brickle over the top of mousse and top with 1/2 of the Cool Whip.

Repeat the layers.  Top with crushed candy bar.  Refrigerate.  

 Photo courtesy of Flickr - jojofromnc

There is a camp in Salado, Texas for children called Camp Good Grief--it is not your typical summer camp.  This is a camp for children who have lost parents or relatives serving our country in Iraq or Afghanistan.

This is a one day session where children can share and express their emotions through age appropriate activities designed by trained counselors to help relieve the stress and pain they are experiencing. 

Parents accompanying the children also attend support sessions led by grief counselors.

At the end of the day, the children release helium balloons which contain messages written to their lost love one. Hopefully, some of the stress and hurt floats away with the balloons.  

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist 

910 459 9189     Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes 

We take pride in assisting Military Families find homes in Onslow County, NC 

Photo courtesy of Flickr-Freefaller 

•  Car Titles - The state of North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles manages vehicle registration and titles 910-345-1000 or website
  
  
• Marriage License - Marriage license are issued by the Onslow County Register of Deeds office, Room 107 in E. W Summersill building at 109 Bridge St., Jacksonville, N C. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8- 5 but to apply for license both parties must arrive by 4:30 and must have identification which is birth certificate or a valid driver's license. License are valid for 60 days, cost is $50.00 payable in cash only.

• Birth Certificates - Register of Deeds office - 910-347-3451  website
  
  
•  Job Listings for Onslow County - A current listings of jobs can be obtained by calling the Human Resources Office 910-347-7600 or their website.
  

• Onslow County Courthouse - Is located at 625 Court St., Jacksonville (they are 2 buildings). 910-455-4458, website

• Divorce Papers - Onslow County Clerk of Superior Court in the courthouse at 625 Court St., Jacksonville, N C 910 455-4458  visit the website

• Property Tax - Tax Administration Office - 910 989-2200 or visit the website 

• Court Fees - Onslow County Clerk of Court - 910 455-4458 or visit the website

• Deed of Trust - Register of Deeds 910-347-3451 or visit website

• Tax and Property Records Online - You may search by name, address, parcel number or pin number on the County website

• Paying Taxes Online - Website to pay your taxes

• Onslow County Schools - 910-455-2211 or visit the website

• Onslow County Parks & Recreations -910-347-5532 or visit the website
  
  
• Libraries - Visit the website for all locations 910-455-7351
  

• County Commissioner - Contact information on the website
  
  
•  Road Maintenance - Outside the city limits of Jacksonville, road maintenance is by NCDOT -910-455-3777 or visit the website

• Onslow County Landfill - For hours and locations visit the website

I hope this information will be helpful to you, the citizens of Onslow County, N C --If I can assist you with a home in Hubert, Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, Swansboro, N C please   Contact me   910 459 9189

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist

 Kingsbridge Realty, Inc. , Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military families locate a home in Onslow County, N C

Photo courtesy of Flickr - Falling Star 

The title Peter Koeppel gave his article which I read online is "Does You Business Need a Boost", but I think perhaps my business needs something a little more severe--perhaps a kick in the pants.

What is the best way to get this kick or boost?   According to Mr. Koeppel, the new technology of blogging and podcast broadcasting could revolutionize our business.  He states that although most people are aware of blogs and podcast, very few are taking full advantage. 

According to Business Week magazine, over 40,000 new blogs are emerging every day.   Is that mind boggling or what? 

The beauty of blogs is the low or no cost start up.  How many marketing plans can you say that about? Especially marketing that is available to hundreds of thousand of people 24 hours/day.   To think that my blog about homes in Hubert, N C in Onslow County is out there for people all over the world to read.  Wow!  What an opportunity. 
      

                                                                                                        (Photo courtesy of Flickr-Ready eddy)

Are you taking advantage of the available technology and opportunities?   Well, if you are  blogging on Active Rain, you have made a start.  Should you be blogging elsewhere?  The answer to that question is "yes". 

How many different blogs should you have?  I am not an authority but my opinion is-- as many as you can maintain in a professional manner and  contribute to on a regular basis with quality information.

So, the answer to how many will vary from person to person.  It makes sense to me, that it is better to do one well than several poorly. 

As we read here on AR daily, for our blogs to be effective we must use keywords to get the people we are targeting to our site.  There have been many posts written with tips on keywords.  One which I think is excellent is Mary McKnight's Sure Fire Formula for A Successful Blog.

Podcasts (tomorrow's radio) can be an extension of your blog where you connect with the public in a more personal way through actually speaking.  I, personally, have not worked with podcasts but there is much information in this article by Mr. Koeppel which I intend to study.  Some AR members have written articles on this subject:  On Podcasting by Allen Butler and Profitable Podcasting-My Equipment by Brian Brady are two you can check out.

We who have not ventured into "podcast land" need to begin to learn what it is all about and what it can do for our business. 

Does your business need a kick in the pants?  Whose doesn't?  The tools are in place, the information and education is available.  As always, it comes down to making a personal commitment to step out of our comfort zone, embrace a new experience and just do it.

I know that if I want to be the Onslow County NC Home Specialist for Hubert, Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune and Swansboro, I must work to stay abreast of and utilize the latest technology and most effective marketing tools available to me.

Hurricane season officially started June 1, but as we who live on the coast of North Carolina know, our most active season is usually from September through October.  It appears Hurricane Dean is heading for the Texas coast with winds in excess of 135 mph from the last report I heard.  This certainly reminds us that we need to be prepared.

If you have just relocated to Jacksonville, Hubert, Swansboro or any area of Onslow County, you might not be familiar with the steps you will need to take in the event a hurricane threatens our area.

The Onslow County Emergency Management Service provides "Keys To Surviving A Hurricane" that outlines a time table of what to do and when.  The information is very thorough and pertinent.  Even old timers could benefit from a review. 

• Before a Hurricane Threatens
• When A Watch is Issued
• When A Warning is Issued
• If You Stay at Home
• If You Must Evacuate
• After the Hurricane
• The Recovery
• Individual Special Needs and Patient Information (English & Spanish)

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist,

910 459 9189    

Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military families locate a home in Onslow County, N C  (Photo courtesy-Flickr-queen roly)

These make great appetizers or can make larger for entree`.

2 cups crushed sour cream & onion potato chips

1 egg, beaten

2 tablespoons milk

chicken fillets, cut in bite size cubes

1/3 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread crushed potato chips in shallow dish.  Combine beaten egg with milk and dip chicken cubes first in egg/milk mixture, then dredge in potato chip crumbs.

Place on baking sheet (sprayed with Pam), drizzle with melted butter.  Bake 12-18 minutes until golden brown.  Serve with honey mustard.

Honey Mustard

3/4 cup mayonaise

3 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

horseradish to taste

 Approx. 2 tablespoons orange juice

Combine all honey mustard ingredients except orange juice thin to pouring/dipping consistency with orange juice 

The Town of Swansboro has new employees and while this may not sound very unusual and newsworthy, you could change your mind when you learn that the new employees are inmates.  Jimmy Williams elaborates in a column in the Tideland News.

After losing 7 employees, the town was left with positions in connection with maintaining the water and sewage system.  The town commissioners voted in July to work with the N C Department of Correction in supplying manpower for these jobs.  Inmates will be paid $1/day.

 
Is this new?  Does anyone know of other towns or counties that use inmates?  I am aware of the inmates that clean the road sides, but other than that?  

                                                                                                            
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor®, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189   Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc, Making Houses Homes 

We take pride in assisting Military families locate homes in Onslow County, N C. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr- ragingscotti 

Parents, teachers and students in Hubert, Jacksonville, Swansboro and all of Onslow County--- get ready because it is almost here.  The first day of school for kids is August 27, teachers reported for duty on the 16th.

For more information  and to take a look at the 2007/2008 calendar, visit the Onslow County School web page.  Here you will find:

(Photo:  Courtesy of Flickr-R@achel m0mmy)

A school directory- a listing of all the schools in Onslow County and location

Bus Transportation - area coordinators and general transportation information

School Menus - menus, prices and nutrition information

Curriculum and Activities - information on staff and testing

Employment Opportunities -list of available jobs and requirements         

Cynthia Tilghman,Realtor®,Onslow County Home Specialist 

910 459 9189     Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes 

We take pride in assisting Military families find a home in Onslow County, NC

                                                                                                          Photo courtesy of Flickr-Rpasley

I'm not sure if it's a "southern thing"  or a "summer thing" but growing up, my family always made homemade ice cream several times during the summer.  The flavors would vary depending on what fruits were in season and available and I suppose, the whim of my Mom.  

The ice cream maker was electric and to freeze the ice cream, rock salt and lots of ice were needed. The process was pretty involved.  Mom would make up the mix using cream, evaporated milk, sugar and whatever fruit or flavorings she decided upon.  (One of my favorite was Butter Finger - she would crush Butter Finger candy bars & mix them in).

Then it was off to the store for bags of ice.  Dad would then place  the container with the ice cream mixture in the outer bucket and layer  ice and salt around it.    He would then plug the ice cream maker in and he, my brother and I would sit and watch it turn. All of this took place on the porch, no way was Mom going to allow that wet, drippy thing in the house. 

When the motor began to slow and labor (that's the term my Dad used), we knew it was ready.  Dad would lift the container out, carry it into the kitchen and set it in the sink.  Mom would take the lid off and take out the dasher scraping off the ice cream that was on it.  My brother and I would be standing at her side waiting to lick the dasher and saying "Mom,  you've got enough off, there's not going to be any left for us" but there always was.   

You see once the ice cream was frozen, Mom said it needed to "ripen".  To ripen it, she put the container of frozen ice cream back in the outer bucket, repacked it with ice and salt and put a towel over the top and let it set for about an hour.  I never quite understood the "ripening" but I think that was just an excuse she used to make us wait until after dinner before opening it and serving it up in bowls.  

I carry on the tradition with my daughter but my ice cream maker is a Cuisinart that sets on the counter--no ice or salt involved and it's ready in about 20 minutes.  But, we do have to wait until after dinner.  

Ice Cream Photo - courtesty of Flickr - ShastaMacnasta

My brother and his family were here last week so I took some time off from listing and selling homes in Hubert, Onslow County, N C to have some fun.  It is always great to spend time with family, it renews my spirit. 

We don't get to spend a lot of time together as everyone is busy with their lives and jobs so our time together is precious.  My daughter gets to renew her relationship with her cousins--

Competing  for Ganma (as they call her) and Granddaddy's attention

                                                                                                      Dressing up in my old dance costumes

Wrestling and playing on the floor with Granddaddy

                                                            Swimming and playing at the beach and pool                 

and

Everyone's favorite --eating ice cream with Granddaddy.

It was a good time--we played, ate, laughed, reminisced and said "I love you".  Does it get any better than that?  I think not.

If you have not had any family time recently, make plans to do so.  You will feel so revitalized and ready to take on the world. 

•  North Carolina state schools, universities and community colleges offer in state tuition to active military, their spouses and children. 

•   The NC National Guard provides excellent opportunities to its members by paying all tuition and fees and a text book reimbursement.  To learn  more about this program visit the NCNG website.

• North Carolina also has a program called TTT (Troops to Teachers) which offers excellent incentives to assist eligible military personnel in training to teach in targeted schools in North Carolina. 

• The state also encourages military personnel nearing retirement to consider North Carolina as a permanent residence and for those who choose to do so, North Carolina offers educational benefits. 

There is much information on these different programs and incentives as well as a list of all state schools, universities and community colleges, their location and their programs in the provided links.

I am proud that my state, North Carolina, supports the education of our military and their families.  We have excellent schools,universities and community colleges that offer a variety of programs and degrees. 

The most difficult decision might just be which school to choose.

 Bell Tower- NC State University

 Courtesy of Flickr-tiwonge

Old Well - University of NC at Chapel Hill
Photo Courtesty of Flickr-keefer37

Flags Photo - Courtesy of Flickr-Jeff Kubina 

Cynthia Tilghman, Onslow County Home Specialist        910 459 9189      Contact me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes 

We take pride in assisting Military families in locating housing in Onslow County