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Archive for May, 2009

Neuse River Day in New Bern, NC

May 30th, 2009

Another big weekend in the New Bern area. I think a lot of people will be chompin’ at the bit to go DO something. It rained, at least a little, every single day this week. And then, of course, everything that was going on last weekend was a big washout. The air show at Cherry Point saw a few hearty souls, but nothing like prior years, and the controversial Harley rally in New Bern was just wet, not wet and wild. At our local pub, a couple of the riders came in with boots and bottoms of their jeans covered with mud. They had a good time, though. Some people really get a kick out of the fact that the River Bend Baptist Church, on 17 on the way to New Bern, is a biker’s stop!

 

Sooo, this weekend will be a busy one. Neuse River Day is always a big hit, and it looks like the weather will hold out. I’m volunteering at the Paddle Race registration table (after my spinning class, of course), but I hope to get around to some of the events when I am done. There are races of all kinds, on and off the water -paddle race, classic 8 mile race, river dawg relay race, tug o war, cardboard box race, twin rivers raft races and the infamous NRF rubber duck race.  The fire department is running a kids water safety exhibit, they’ll have the fossil dig again, cruise boat rides, moon walk, dunking booth, classic cars, face painting etc., etc.  

 

And of course, lots of food, craft booths, and lots of folks generally having fun.

 

For anyone bored with all this, there is the Merci run, and there will be garden lectures at Tryon Palace. Frankly, I’d rather be on the water.

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Camp Lejeune, NC

May 16th, 2009

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

 

OoooRAHH! Welcome to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, home of the United States Marine Corps 2nd Division. Built in 1941, Camp Lejeune, New River Air Station, Camp Geiger, Camp Johnson, Stone Bay, the Greater Sandy Run Training Facility, and the Outlying Landing Fields of Oak Grove and Camp Davis provide the steel backbone of United States military power all over the world. Camp Lejeune North Carolina was named after the great General John A. Lejeune and occupies over 240 square miles of land. It has over 400 miles of roadway and 50 miles of sidewalk and 11 miles of coastline in Onslow County.

Camp Lejeune is home to three state-of-the-art Urban Terror training facilities, 78 live fire ranges, nearly 100 maneuver areas, and over 500 tactical landing zones. Camp Lejeune and surrounding areas have a population of over 150,000 people which pump over $3 billion dollars annually into the economy of North Carolina. Soldiers and sailors from all over the world come to Camp Lejeune to study and learn from the absolute best military training the United States has to offer.

Camp Lejeune recognizes the importance of keeping the warriors who fight for our country comfortable and engaged in the community. There are several parks with state of the art recreational facilities around the base, as well as child care, theaters, the commissary for shopping, hobby shops, banks, and fitness centers. In addition, there is hunting, fishing, excellent local restaurants, and swimming and boating; however, be careful where you anchor the boat because some areas are designated “Live Fire” areas. This could be detrimental to the boat.

Camp Lejeune North Carolina has the oldest active USO in the United States that provides programs for Marines and sailors and dependants all year round. In addition, Camp Lejeune has an annual Summer Concert series hosting nationally known recording artists such as Eddie Money and Tim McGraw. Camp Lejeune’s host city of Jacksonville is well known for its local flavor and nightlife, with a “Battle of the Bands” competition featuring several Camp Lejeune personnel being one of the highlights so far this year. There are several motorcycle clubs and car clubs populated by Camp Lejeune residents, and car shows and bike shows are frequent events all year long. For recreational purposes, the Crystal Coast beaches of Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, and Atlantic Beach are just a short drive down Highway 24, and the Kinston Indians Class 2-A Carolina League professional baseball team plays its home games 45 minutes away at Historic Grainger Stadium, where on Military Appreciation Nights all active and retired military personnel get in absolutely free of charge.

One of the best things about living in North Carolina is that North Carolina is consistently ranked at the top of the “Military Friendly” states. And in Eastern North Carolina there is no better example of base and community integration than Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville. Camp Lejeune gives a great deal to the community, and the personnel who live there are exemplary examples of Americans at their absolute best and brightest.

For people living in and around Camp Lejeune, Pine Knoll Shores, Swansboro, Cedar Point, Cape Carteret, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach and Richlands there is no easier way to sell your unwanted items than using eastcarolinayardsales.com. Their Camp Lejeune, NC classifieds are the most reasonably priced with the option for posting your ads completely free. No getting out of bed at 5am, no dragging everything out in the yard for passerby to gawk at, and you don’t have to give up your Saturday morning just to make a few dollars. Classified ads are free, and absolutely nothing is better for the economy than locals buying local. And if you are looking for something for the house or automobile, click on eastcarolinayardsales.com and find one down the street instead of across the country. No more driving to Clayton or Cary to find that perfect used couch or complete video game console that you have been searching for. Eastcarolinayardsales.com has what you want, right down the street, and it is just a click away.

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Jacksonville, NC

May 16th, 2009

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Welcome to Jacksonville! Jacksonville North Carolina located on the headwaters of the New River in Onslow County. Jacksonville and the New River were originally occupied by the Tuscarora Indians, but after the defeat of the Tuscarora around 1713, British and European settlers began moving to what is now called Onslow County, so named in honor of Arthur Onslow, British Speaker of the House of Commons during this time period. After a horrible hurricane in 1752, the courthouse was moved upstream from Town point to Wantland’s Ferry to protect the community from the storm surge that occurs during hurricane landings. Around 1842, this small settlement was incorporated as Jacksonville, North Carolina in honor of President Andrew Jackson. Like many small coastal towns in the region, the primary industries were fishing, turpentine manufacture, tar, hemp, and naval stores.

Jacksonville was the sight of a few small skirmishes during the Civil War, the most locally famous one being when Lt. William Cushing (the Union commander who would eventually sink the Confederate Ironclad Albermarle with a gunpowder torpedo) raided the New River inlet to destroy the local salt industry, and managed to get himself stuck on a sand bar while fleeing the engagement. Local Confederate fire forced Cushing to abandon his ship and the 2 other boats he captured.

Jacksonville North Carolina suffered through the Reconstruction Era like many small North Carolina towns, but after the turn of the century the United States Government purchased 29 tracts of land and began building Camp Lejeune in April 1941. Jacksonville and the surrounding townships growth exploded as the United States Government came to rely more and more upon the Marines as the backbone of United States foreign policy.

Today, Jacksonville North Carolina is a thriving metropolitan area with a population of over 70,000 people. It has one of the youngest average populations in the nation due to the number of enlisted personnel who live and work in Onslow County. Many Marines retire to Jacksonville and outlying areas because of the many attractive benefits of living in an area with such wonderful features as 30 miles of beaches, excellent local hunting and fishing areas, and Jacksonville’s continued growth as a retail and service center for Eastern North Carolina. There are several small towns around Jacksonville that have festivals, such as the Mullet Festival in Swansboro and the annual Shrimp Festival in Snead’s Ferry, North Carolina. Jacksonville is home to over 80 restaurants and 100 small businesses that cater to the local population, as well as several parks and beaches suitable for young and old alike. With its excellent system of 4 lane highways connecting Jacksonville to every point in Eastern North Carolina, Jacksonville is quickly becoming a transportation hub as well. Not bad for a little town that had to move its courthouse after a hurricane!

For people living in and around Jacksonville, Snead’s Ferry, Swansboro, Cedar Point, Cape Carteret, Holly Ridge, and Richlands there is no easier way to sell your unwanted items than using eastcarolinayardsales.com. East Carolina Yard Sales’ Jacksonville, NC classifieds is your best option for buying and selling used items. No getting out of bed at 5am, no dragging everything out in the yard for passerby to gawk at, and you don’t have to give up your Saturday morning just to make a few dollars. Classified ads are free, and absolutely nothing is better for the economy than locals buying local. And if you are looking for something for the house or automobile, click on eastcarolinayardsales.com and find one down the street instead of across the country. No more driving to Virginia Beach or Morrisville to find that perfect Civil War Musket or rare gold coin collection that you have been searching for. Eastcarolinayardsales.com has what you want, right down the street, and it is just a click away.

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