Grande Villas starts off 2012 with two new sales in January! Two new families
took advantage of the great pricing and incentives currently being offered at Grande Villas! Our four bedroom Penthouse A-7 and our two bedroom unit B-6 are no longer available. We are now into our final year of sales at Grande Villas, so the opportunity to own one of our luxurious oceanfront condominiums is quickly passing. To get a list of our current inventory of two- to four-bedroom condominiums, please contact us today at 877.845.4438 or john@gvcondos.com.
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Loading...Grande Villas Starts off 2012 with Two New Sales!
January 23rd, 2012Vote for Beaufort, NC as One of America’s Coolest Small Towns
January 11th, 2012Budget Travel readers nominated a record 647 towns this year – and now we’ve narrowed that list down to just 10 standout communities across the country. Read all about them, and then vote for your favorite! Read more…
Sweet New Year’s Eve Entertaining
December 13th, 2011
You’re celebrating New Year’s Eve at your beach condo in North Carolina. You’ve had enough of the endless cheese plates and heavy holiday meals. Why not ring in 2012 with something simple and sweet? Throw a “Drinks & Desserts” party! Let your friends share their New Year’s resolutions over refreshments that sparkle with the spirit of the season.
Be the host or hostess with the mostest – and serve a selection of fancy hors d’oeuvre style desserts. These tiny mouthfuls of holiday goodness spread the cheer to younger guests, non-drinkers and designated drivers at your party, and they’re small enough that even calorie-conscious New Year’s dieters can indulge. Possibilities for homemade miniature treats include:
* Bite-sized crème brulee – the rich, creamy, crunchy custard you love, poured into elegant spoons.
* Dark chocolate mousse – a decadent batch of mousse, served in shot glasses.
* Mini cheesecake – use small molds and top with a fresh raspberry.
* Fresh bites of tropical fruits – pineapple, mango, and passionfruit snap with color.
* Cake pops – tiny bites of cake on lollipop sticks, covered in frosting and sprinkles.
* Banana split bites – a slice of banana dipped in chocolate, with a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry on top!
You can complement your delightful desserts with creative mixed drinks like these:
* The Winter Solstice – vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice and club soda, garnished with mint leaves and raspberries.
* The Polar Bear Shooter – white crème de cacao, peppermint schnapps.
* The Midnight Martini – stay up ’til the ball drops with vodka, coffee liqueur, and a lemon twist.
* The Resolution Martini – gin, apricot brandy and lemon juice.
* The Countdown Cocktail – gin, blood orange juice, Angostura bitters.
For the wine snobs in your circle, feature Pinot Gris, a white wine with flavors ranging from melon to pear and even citrus. Pinot Gris has a smooth texture, with silky overtones that please the palate and go well with dessert.
Don’t forget, you can book the Lobby Lounge for all your gatherings. And, you may want to round out your night at the Outdoor Fire Pit. Happy 2012 from Grande Villas!
How sweet was your New Year’s celebration? Share it with your friends and neighbors in the comment section.
Blackbeard’s Cannon Recovered
October 26th, 2011RALEIGH, N.C. – A piece of pirate history that’s been
resting on the ocean floor for nearly than 300 years was brought to the
surface Wednesday morning and is on its way to the North Carolina Maritime
Museum in Beaufort. Discover more here…
Top 7 Ways to Enjoy the Crystal Coast this September
September 15th, 2011
Summer may be winding down, but there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the beautiful Crystal Coast as we ease into early fall. Here are a few interesting recreational and cultural activities going on around our region this month.
1. Take a nice walk
Come on out and join the Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation’s fall walking club at the Community Center, 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle. Walks start at 6 PM every Tuesday now through October 17. For more information or to register contact Sheila Lowe at (252) 354-6350 or slowe@emeraldisle-nc.org.
2. Celebrate children
Emerald Isle’s Sixth Annual Day4Kids takes place at Emerald Isle Park and Rec Center from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, September 17. Bring out the kids fun-filled day of vendors, activities, games, face painting and more! Call (252) 354-6350 for details or email Laura Lee Davis at ldavis@emeraldisle-nc.org.
3. See history come alive
See Civil War Reenactments at Fort Macon on the weekend of September 17 and 18. Members of the 1st N.C. Volunteers will perform different programs from 10 AM to 4 PM each day, including historical talks and musket firings and drills. For more information call (252) 726-3775.
4. Bike along the beach
Cycling for the Coast begins at Bogue Banks on Saturday, September 17 at 8 AM. Pedal through Emerald Isle, Salter Path, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach. to raise awareness for our coastal estuaries and white sandy beaches, and raise funds for the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Visit www.nccoast.org to register or contact Sam Bland at (252) 393-8185 for more information.
5. Fish the surf
Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation and The Reel Outdoors are sponsoring the 5th Annual Flounder Surf Fishing Tournament to kick off the surf-fishing and beach driving season that starts September 15. The tournament runs from Saturday, September 24 to Saturday, October 8. Registration is free and the Reel Outdoors will be providing prizes for the top 3 anglers! Contact Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation for further information or call (252) 354-6350.
6. Dine on great seafood
Don’t miss the 25th Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival in Downtown Morehead City, September 30 – October 2. Carteret County’s annual seafood celebration is the second largest festival in North Carolina, playing host to an average of 200,000+ people each year. While sampling the large variety of seafood available, you can also experience educational exhibits and take part in hands-on activities for young and old alike. For more information visit the North Carolina Seafood Festival website.
7. Experience floating art
A $40 million dollar floating art gallery will be docked in Morehead City for the North Carolina Seafood Festival. ArtSplendor on SeaFair is a juried art show and sale of original artwork during the weekend of September 29 – October 2 on the Morehead City waterfront. For more information visit www.expoships.com or www.artscouncilcarteret.org.
August Fun Events: Pirates and Seafood!
August 8th, 2011
We have some major local annual events coming up on the weekend of August 13 and 14, celebrating the unique cultural heritage of the Crystal Coast. Don’t miss out!
Beaufort Pirate Invasion
Join the town of Beaufort, NC in welcoming Blackbeard back nearly 300 years after the harrowing events of 1747! The yearly invasion reenactment features sword fighting, cannons blaring, pillaging, plundering, and of course, grog swilling.
Locations: Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort Waterfront, Maritime Museum. Invasion will begin at 1:30 PM Saturday on the Beaufort Waterfront. After the invasion, those captured will be marched to the Beaufort Historic Site for a mock trial. Buchaneer’s Ball will be held Saturday night at 7 PM. Tickets to food events will be available at Beaufort Trading Co., Tierra Fina, Scuttlebutt, Curves, Martha’s Hot Shop in downtown Beaufort (cash or check only). For more information call (252) 728-3917.
Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival
The annual festival at Sneads Ferry Community Center, Park Lane, honors local fishermen and the greatness of wild American shrimp. Events include the Shrimp Ball, Shrimp-a-roo, carnival, arts & crafts, food booths, beer & wine garden, fireworks and live bands.
Parade starts at 10 AM Saturday, festival opens 11 AM Sat., noon Sun. Admission $3 adults, under 12 free. For more information call (910) 327-2707.
And also mark your calendars for the North Carolina Seafood Festival coming up on September 30 – October 2 in Morehead City!
Crystal Coast Real Estate Market Heats Up
July 11th, 2011According to a recent report by the North Carolina Association of Realtors Carteret County led the state with the highest year-to-date sales growth with a 13 percent increase in total dollar sales. This is great news for properties along the Crystal Coast. Grande Villas recorded two additional sales over the past week and is currently enjoying its strongest sales year since opening the project. We still have a great selection of available units and great purchase incentives.
Contact us today at 877.845.4438 or sales@gvcondos.com for a list of available properties.
Grande Villas Owners Weekend
June 30th, 2011 2nd Annual Owners Weekend Draws a Crowd
Around 35 Grande Villas families gathered for the Owners Weekend Celebration, June 10th. Delicious gourmet food prepared by the popular Carlton’s Cartering and poolside music by 4EverAll kicked off the event weekend Friday night. Owners mixed and mingled while children frolicked in the pool.
Grande Villas Residents, Joel & Charlotte Fortune enjoying the Friday night festivities.
Great Weather & Great Company
The weather was simply spectacular and allowed everyone to enjoy a variety of family friendly outdoor activities on Saturday. A few early birds started their day with a complimentary beach body workout . Others enjoyed a lazy morning followed by a catered brunch from Carlton’s. The Spinnakers Kids Club offered youngsters the opportunity to try their hand at beach crafts and outdoor activities on the lawn. Around noon, chefs prepared a low country boil and barbeque luncheon where owners and guests dined poolside and enjoyed more live music. Saturday night’s activities featured a poolside family movie and popcorn for Spinnakers Kids Camp attendees.
What a Way to Start the Summer
The event offered owners and guests the opportunity to relax and enjoy the pleasures of the Crystal Coast in a fun and festive atmosphere. The weekend came to a close on Sunday with a wonderful patio brunch. What a great beginning to another perfect Grande Villas summer.
Crystal Coast July 4th Celebration Roundup
June 28th, 2011
Underwater Bike Race (photo courtesy of Discovery Diving Co.)
Cookouts! Live music! Fireworks! The Crystal Coast knows how to celebrate the Fourth of July in patriotic style. Make your plans to attend some of these great Independence Day events scheduled around our region.
Beaufort Fourth of July Parade & Community Picnic
This celebration along the downtown Beaufort waterfront is an old-fashioned tradition in historic Beaufort, NC. The parade includes all the Norman Rockwell ingredients: kids, pets, wagons, flags and music. Parade starts 11 AM. Potluck community picnic follows at the Carteret County Courthouse at Turner & Broad streets. Come and bring a dish to add! For more information contact Martha Barnes at (252) 728-3917.
Emerald Isle Fourth of July Celebration
The town of Emerald Isle again presents July 4th fireworks over Bogue Sound at the Chapel By The Sea. Fireworks will begin at 9 PM on July 4. The fireworks can be viewed at the Chapel By The Sea and the adjacent site of the new public boat launch facility (6800 block of Emerald Drive), and from nearby neighborhoods. Parking will be available along NC 58 and nearby streets. The fireworks will also be visible from Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. For more information call (252) 354-6350.
Morehead City July 4 Celebration
The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the Morehead City celebration on July 4th. The fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:15 PM from Sugarloaf Island. A free music concert will be held on July 2 at Jaycee Park, 9th & Shepard Streets. For more info call (252) 726-5083.
Atlantic Beach Fourth of July Fireworks
Enjoy a day full of sun, fun, fireworks, great music, and dancing at the annual Atlantic Beach Independence Day Celebration. The featured band will be playing from 7 PM until 11 PM, with a break at 9 PM for a beautiful fireworks display. Please bring your beach chairs and blankets and enjoy the show! For information call (252) 726-2121.
4th of July Underwater Bike Race
Organized by Discovery Diving Company of Beaufort, the Underwater Bike Race is a unique annual event held on the Fourth of July to benefit the Children’s Mile of Hope in support of cancer research. The race begins on the starboard side of the Indra shipwreck at approximately 3 PM. Contestants may swim, pedal, push, or drag, but only human power is allowed — no motors — and only one biker is permitted per bike. For details call Debby Boyce at (252) 728-2265.
Cannon Firing at Fort Macon State Park
A cannon crew of volunteers in period attire explain the loading and firing of a typical War Between the States field piece. They use an original 6-pounder cannon in the demonstration and actually fire it with a blank gunpowder charge at the conclusion of the program. For times and more information call (252) 726-3775.
Fireworks Cruise on the Crystal Coast Lady
Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display on the beautiful Morehead City waterfront. This Fourth of July voyage includes a scenic harbor tour, sunset and water-view fireworks display. Refreshments and food available for purchase, and we carry a full bar with ABC permits. Trip runs from 7:30 PM to approximately 9:30 PM, or to be determined. Please call (252) 728-8687 or email info@crystalcoastlady.com for more information or reservations.
Family-Friendly Summer Fun on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast
June 23rd, 2011
Now that summer is officially here, it’s prime time for coastal NC family vacations! For area residents and visiting tourists alike, the Crystal Coast offers lots of exciting summertime activities for families and kids. Here’s a look at some of the notable events going on around our region.
NC Aquarium Summer Camp
Summer camp programs at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher provide fun and safe learning opportunities with knowledgeable and competent leadership. Kids enjoy outdoor excursions, animal interactions and behind-the-scenes aquarium explorations. Camps run simultaneously for ages 5-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Learn more at the NC Aquariums website.
NC Maritime Museum Summer Science School
In partnership with the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, the North Carolina Maritime Museum sponsors a diverse range of fun educational programs for students from preschool to middle school. Registration is now open. Details on courses and schedules are available at the NC Maritime Museum website.
Friday Free Flicks at Emerald Isle
Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation presents its Friday Free Flick series on the second Friday of each month. Admission is free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Unless otherwise stated, movies are appropriate for all ages. For more information call 252.354.6350 or visit www.emeraldisle-nc.org.
Morehead City Marlins Baseball
Morehead City’s collegiate summer baseball team has its new season underway, playing home games at O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium. General admission tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12. For schedule information and ticket purchases, visit the Morehead City Marlins website.
Fort Macon Civil War Reenactment
On the weekend of July 9-10 , this event at Fort Macon State Park on Bogue Banks features Civil War–period activities performed between 10 AM and 4 PM by members of the 1st N.C. Volunteers. Talks on flags, uniforms and Civil War dress are held, as well as musket firings and drills. Admission is free.
Fort Macon Concert Series
Also being featured at Fort Macon is The Concert in the Park Series presenting pop classics, orchestral groups, Cajun, bluegrass and Civil-war era music. Sit up on the ramparts or down in the main fort area, watch the sunset and listen to great music. Each concert begins at 7 PM and ends around 8 PM. Admission is free. Call the Park at 252-354-5259 for details about the concerts.
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