Military Discount

To show appreciation for the sacrifice of our troops and their families, I offer a 10% Military Discount to those on active duty and their families. Just tell me when you call to book your reservation.

My son, Jack, is a member of the 101st Airborne, US Army, Ft Campbell, Kentucky. November, 2005 he deployed to Baghdad. I drove to Hopkinsville, Kentucky to be with him for Thanksgiving and to help him pack before he deployed. I checked into a nearby motel and shortly realized a typical hotel room with minimal furniture, a television and a cramped bathroom is not an ideal place to spend a week with someone being deployed. There wasn't any place to spread out any of the additional gear he was packing. The room seemed confined with only the bed comfortable for relaxing.

During the week, we shopped for items he didn’t think would be available in Iraq. He especially wanted a set of Egyptian cotton bed sheets. I wanted to wash the sheets to soften them but going to the local Laundromat wasn’t possible. I washed them later at home and sent them in the first box I mailed to Camp Falcon.

On Thanksgiving Day most restaurants were closed so we ate our holiday meal at a local pancake house. I longed to cook him his holiday meal with our traditional family favorites. Also an intimate conversation in a restaurant is awkward because of the noise and people being able to overhear. I don’t remember much about that meal, except that I longed for a homey place where we could spend those precious hours together.

Jack was anxious, as any one would be, because this was his first deployment. Despite his extensive training, he was still apprehensive about what he would experience on the streets of Baghdad. I was anxious too because I realized this wasn’t a training exercise, it was real combat. So every moment and every conversation was valuable. My mind rehearsed our chats so as not to forget a single thing.

When I returned to Stella, I knew what he needed most was a place that was as comfortable and familiar as home …a house where there wasn’t’ constant reminders of the military presence or the responsibility of the job he was trained and asked to do while in Iraq. So a goal for the John & Lucille Country Retreat was to provide a quiet, peaceful, and restful place for those being deployed and their families. A retreat to spend time together away from the hustle and bustle of Jacksonville, "A getaway for a few days..a special place like home."

The retreat is 2000 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths with an outside shower. Both master suites have full baths with a king size bed in the John & Lucille room and a queen size bed in the Carolina room. The Mami Young room is elegant with a full size bed and large closet. The William Kuhn Room has two full length twin beds. Each bedroom has a comfortable chair, Pima cotton sheets, Egyptian cotton towels, extra pillows and blankets. The large kitchen and dining area seats 12 people, perfect for family get-togethers. The kitchen is fully stocked with baking dishes, pots and pans, small appliances, china and dinnerware.

The retreat is about 25 minutes from Camp Lejeune. Visit http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/ for a full list of amenties. Questions and Reservations: Call 800-892-6775 or e-mail dee@stellacountryretreat.com
1st Lt. Jack B Irby, III will deploy again with the 101st Airborne in the spring 2008.

Two Golf Courses Near the Retreat!

The mild climate on the crystal coast makes it possible to play golf almost everyday of the year. The evergreen Pine trees line the fairways and make the courses picturesque even in Winter. Silver Creek and Star Hill Golf Clubs are less than 10 minutes from John & Lucille’s.

Since both courses are only 5 minutes a part you can play both courses while vacationing.

(Photo: Hole 6 Pines -Star Hill)

Star Hill Golf Club
Sands/Pines/Lakes 27-hole layout
Rated with 3-1/2 stars in Golf Digest's "Places to Play"

Opened in 1967
Semi-Private Course

Public Pool

Comments on Golf Digest says Star Hill is one of the “best in the area” and a good mix of challenging holes."

Fully stocked golf shop; Grill (Breakfast, lunch & dinner); and Champions Room lounge with all ABC permits. Lighted, public airstrip on site. Pool and bath complex open to the public.

Star Hill is located on NC 58, approximately 3 miles north of the intersection of NC 24 and NC 58 in Cape Carteret, NC.

Silver Creek Golf Club
Rated 3 stars by Golf Digest’s “Places to Play”
Opened in 1986
Public course with 18 holes
Comments listed with Golf Digest says that Silver Creek has "breathtaking views and golf at a bargain." Silver Creek is located off NC 58, on Pelletier Loop Road and near Star Hill Golf Club.

Visit http://www.golfdigest.com/ for information and ranking of golf courses

Dancing To Beach Music

"It's A Carolina Thing"

In the 1960’s the Pavilion and the Ember’s club in Atlantic Beach were known as “the” places to shag on the Crystal Coast. As a teenager I enjoyed many Friday and Saturday nights shagging to groups like the Tams, the Embers, Drifters, 4 Tops, Maurice Williams and the Zodiac and the Showman/General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board. John Hook, author of Shagging In The Carolinas, writes, “Shag is a dance of romance, seduction, collaboration and improvisation.”

Even though Myrtle Beach, SC claims the shag as originating there and in 1984 the South Carolina General Assembly declared the shag to be the Official state dance, it is popular all over the Southeast and especially Eastern North Carolina. In fact, we believe shagging is our official state dance too.

The “Shag” grew out of the “Jitterbug” and “Swing” dance era. As the jitterbug was fading out, the Swing was growing in popularity. Unique geographical styles, steps, and patterns began to emerge on the east and west coast. In the 1940’s, the teenagers in North Myrtle Beach developed the swing dance style that later became known as the shag. The shag is a slower, more graceful and less bouncy dance than the earlier Swing or jitterbug. People danced on or at clubs near the beach and so appropriately the music became known as “beach music”.

Popular song for shagging are tunes such as “Carolina Girls,” “Under the Boardwalk,” and “I Love Beach Music,” However, most R&B and many Motown songs written in 4/4 time are suitable for shagging. Shaggers love to dance to the songs by Marvin Gaye.

Next Article: Shag Lessons and great dance clubs in the area.

Kayaking to Jones Island -White Oak River

A great half-day Kayaking trip is to launch my boat at the Croatan National Forest Recreation area boat ramp and paddle out to Jones Island, about a mile from the boat ramp and the town of Swanboro. If you are driving over the first bridge from Swansboro toward Cedar Point, Jones Island is the tract of land in the middle of the White Oak River on your left. It is beautiful wooded island with small spots to pull up, get out, take a swim, view the town of Swansboro, or just enjoy the warmth of the sun.

Recently, I paddled to Jones Island and stayed close to the shore line moving leisurely around the island. The water was smooth and the paddle easy as I meander along the water's edge. I stopped, rested, and enjoyed a snack at one of the sandy patches of beach. Since the west side of the island is usually windy I decided to back tract by the same route. To my amazement the ride was faster and easier because this time I was paddling with the tide.

On October 29, 2007, 17 acres of the island became part of Hammocks Beach State Park. However, one tract still remains in private ownership. Jones Island was used by Native Americans for hunting and fishing. It was also used as a fishing camp and livestock grazing area during colonial times.

The White Oak River is a wonderful place to kayak as well as fish and boat. According to Richard Rogers, executive director of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, "The White Oak River is one the Best-Kept secrets in Eastern North Carolina.

The Croatan National Forest is located on VFW Road off of Highway 58 going toward Emerald Isle, North Carolina. This is a great place because they have a boat ramp, good parking, picnic area and bathrooms. Also the camp ground is managed by a resident couple.

John & Lucille's Country Retreat is only 10 minutes from the Cedar Point Boat ramp and the National Forest. Visit www.stellacountryretreat.com for more information about the retreat.

Come and discover the White Oak River on your next vacation.

Just Minutes Away - Crystal Coast Beaches!

The Crystal Coast stretches from Beaufort to Swansboro. You can spend the day at the beach on Emerald Isle or fish on the Inland Waterway. Also Kayaking and canoeing on the White Oak River is a favorite activity here. John & Lucille's Country Retreat is only 8 minutes to the Inland Water Way and only 2 miles from the White Oak River where there is a boat ramp for those who like to fish on the river.

Visit the following website for pictures of the crystal coast beaches, rivers, and festivals.
http://coastal-mountain.com/crystalcoast

Pecan Harvest Time

November is pecan harvest season at John & Lucille's Country Retreat. These old growth trees produce great tasting pecans that are used in a wide variety of receipes, from cookies and desserts to salads. It's tradition at the retreat to stroll the yard picking up nuts while chatting with friends and family. For those who don't like to stoop, we have a tool to use so you don't have to strain you back. While staying at the Retreat, you are invited to enjoy picking up and eating pecans. You may even decide to cook a pecan pie. Visit http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/ for more information about the coast of North Carolina

One of Lucille's friends shared this receipe for pecan pie.

Katie Barker's Pecan Pie

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp. butter or margarine softened
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cream
1 cup pecans, broken
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Cream sugars and butter. Add eggs and mix. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Pour into pie shell. Bake in 400 degree oven 10 minutes on lowest shelf. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake about 30 minutes more on high shelf. The middle of the pie should "wiggle a spiffle" when taken from oven.

Welcome

Welcome to the "Crystal Coast Happenings". This is the place to catch up on what's happening on the coast of North Carolina. Each day I will fill you in on the wonderful things to do here and what is going on at the John & Lucille Country Retreat. You can write your comments about your experiences while visiting this area or about staying with us at the retreat.