Happy New Year - 2009

The Retreat is still dressed in its holiday finest but the season is almost over with the New Year quickly approaching. It is time to start thinking about your next visit to this peaceful vacation home on North Carolina's Crystal Coast.


Resolve to vacation at the John & Lucille Country Retreat in the coming year. The retreat is waiting for you year-round with a wide variety of local activities each season.with 2008 rates. Spring and Summer months book quickly so call early to make your vacation plans at the John & Lucille Country Retreat, only one stop light from beaches of Emerald Isle and lots of shopping in the nearby historic Swansboro and the village of Cape Carteret.

2009 Rates Our 2009 rates are the same as 2008.
Rental Rates-2009

Guest Comments

Our guest leave comments about how wonderful the Retreat is for families. Spending time here for the holidays will be special. Click here Our guest say it best. Spacious and Roomy The retreat easily seats 12-14 people in the dining area and there is plenty space needed to prepare the meals. The kitchen is fully equipped with lovely china to set a beautiful table for those family meals. Also if your house is small, sometimes guests are sent to nearby motels. The cost of renting the Farmhouse is less than booking multiple hotel rooms.

For Reservations and Information call Deloria.

800-892-6775

"The retreat is as close to home
as you can get."

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.
See Military Discount

We enjoyed staying at this wonderful, peaceful, comfortable home as we welcomed "home" our son/brother from his (USMC) deployment to Iraq . We will likely be back again, and will spread the word about this special place. Thank you for all the care you take, Deloria, to make it so nice. Ludwig Family, Melbourne , Fl

For reservations and information
800-892-6775
Homeaway.com property 171885
VRB0.com property 197997

Catch The Holiday Spirit!

John & Lucille's Country Retreat

We're wearing our holiday finest this season and looking forward to your visit to this peaceful vacation home in the

crysal coast of North Carolina.

The Retreat is ready for your next visit

in 2009 with 2009 rates!

We're open year-round with a variety of local activities each season.

Make your vacation plan early to reserve your time at the

John & Lucille Country Retreat.

For reservations and information: 800-892-6775

Homeaway.com Property # 171885

VRBO.com Property # 197997

Spend The Holidays At The Retreat

The holidays bring families together to share great meals and to express love and affection for each other.

However, holiday time can also have stress and frustration. Spending the holidays at the John & Lucille Country Retreat can help alleviate the holiday hassle while saving money too.

Decorating- Let us decorate for you. The farmhouse is decorated beautiful for the holidays. You will save time by not having to put up the tree or take it down afterwards. Decorating for the holidays is a big job and takes a lot of planning and time.

Visiting Military- Staying at the retreat is as close to home as you can get for the holidays. We also give a 10% military discount for those visiting with marines at Camp Lejuene and Cherry Point.

We enjoyed staying at this wonderful, peaceful, comfortable home as we welcomed "home" our son/brother from his (USMC) deployment to Iraq. We will likely be back again, and will spread the word about this special place. Thank you for all the care you take, Deloria, to make it so nice. Ludwig Family, Melbourne, Fl

Hosting Holiday Festivities- Families often alternate hosting the holiday get-togethers. Spending the holidays at a centrally located home enable groups to split the holiday duties and expenses equally.

Roomy: The John & Lucille Country retreat easily seats 12-14 people in the dining area and there is plenty space needed to prepare the meals. The kitchen is fully equipped including a turkey roaster and lovely china to set a beautiful table for those holiday meals. Also if your house is small, sometimes guests are sent to nearby motels. The cost of renting the Farmhouse is less than booking multiple hotel rooms.

No Housework: With people in town for the holiday season, it is harder than usual to keep the house neat. We eliminate all the cleaning before guest arrive. You will begin your celebration as soon as you arrive.

Affordable: During the holiday season travelers can benefit from the reduced rates during the traditionally slower season.
Your wallet will thank you. Rental Rates - 2008

Our guest leave comments about how wonderful the Retreat is for families. Spending time here for the holidays will be special. Our guest say it best.

Visit John & Lucille's Country Retreat website

Grapes Ripe In September

On the north side of the farmhouse my parents planted Muscadine grapes over 25 years ago. The grape arbor now stretches 25 -30 feet long and is a beautiful site from the windows in the kitchen and dining area. Near the end of August the grapes begin to ripen and continue into October.

Muscadine grapes are native to the south and many people called them scuppernong. However, Scuppernong is the first cultivar named of the muscadine grapes. Here at the farmhouse there is also the Thomas (black) grape which is very good for cooking. To me, the scuppernong grape is the best eaten fresh from the vine. Grapes will keep in the refrigerator up to a week.

Guest vacationing at the farmhouse are encouraged to enjoy these delicious grapes. Part of the fun is the fellowship with friends and family while standing around the grape vine. I even have a bench for those who wish to rest for a few moments while picking and eating grapes. It an experience to be among the lush green leaves on the vines that cascade toward the ground, to smell the aroma of the ripe fruit and to taste this sweet fruit. This is a special season for me because is makes me so aware of the joy friends, family, and guest have here at this special home place of my parents.

During grape season I love to cook a grape pie. If you like fruit pies, I am sure you will love a grape pie too. I have cooked this pie and it is one of my favorites.

Grape Pie

Pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
5 cups fresh black or muscadine grapes
¾ cups sugar
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

Line a 9-inch pie-plate with half of pastry; set aside
Wash grapes thoroughly, and remove seeds.
Place grapes in a large saucepan.
Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce heat
Cook 15 minutes or until grapes are soft.
Remove from heat; stir in sugar, tapioca, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
Spoon mixture into pastry-lined pie plate.
Cover with top pastry.
Trim edges of pastry; seal and flute edges.
Cut slits in top of pastry to allow steam to escape.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes;
Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 30 minutes

Dee’s Tip: Especially if I am using muscadine grapes, I add a couple drops of red food coloring to the grape mixture. It kicks the color up a notch!!


Source: Southern Living Annual 1985 Recipes page 212.

For information and reservation call 800-892-6775. Also visit the website: http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/

Eating Fresh Figs -A Highlight for Guests at the John & Lucille Country Retreat

One of the amenities while staying at the John & Lucille Country Retreat is picking the fresh fruit grown around the house. Guest can pick fresh plums, apples, figs, Muscatine grapes, and pecans when in season. For many guest this is a highlight of the week here at the Retreat. There is something special about eating home grown fruit while strolling the beautiful yard surrounding the Retreat. In late July and August figs begin to ripen.

Here at the John & Lucille Retreat the variety grown is call Celeste, a small to medium size fig that has a sugary flavor. It has a light violet to a violet-brown color with flesh of reddish amber. Figs must be allowed to ripen fully on the trees before they are picked. They will not ripen if picked before they mature. A ripe fruit is slightly soft and beginning to bend at the neck. Fresh figs only keep in the refrigerator 2-3 days so our guests are encourage to enjoy picking and eating plenty of figs while they are vacationing.

While many people think of figs as the main ingredient in Fig Newtons® or maybe preserves few have enjoyed the juicy sweet taste of fresh figs. The good news is not only are fresh figs a delicious fruit but they have great health benefits too. Figs are a good source of potassium which helps to control blood pressure. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and calcium promoting positive weight management and bone density. Finally they contain the trace mineral manganese.

Figs grow on the Ficus tree, which is a member of the Mulberry family. The ficus tree has large bright green leaves up to one foot in length. The branches spread wider than they are tall. The fig tree can be traced back to writings in historical documents as well as the Bible. The first notation of fig leaves in the Bible is Genesis 3:7 where after eating the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves
Plums ripen in June

Figs ripen late July - Early August

Muscadine grapes - Late August - October

Pecans fall - October - November

Not Every Watermelon is the Same!

In Eastern North Carolina July means watermelons are ripening. It is always a special treat for the July 4th celebration to eat watermelons. However, not just any kind of watermelon will do!! The melons grown here on the coast are different from any other and have a sweet taste that is exceptional. My Dad always thought it was the weather and the sandy soil since the variety of melon grown here is not particularly special. In fact, varieties grown here on the coast such as Royal Sweet or Crimson Sweet can be easily purchased from Burpee and others. I recon it to be like the Vidalia Onion grown in Vidalia, Georgia where no other onion is as sweet and no other area has ever been able to duplicate it. So be the Bogue Sound Watermelon grown in the Bogue area of Carteret Country.

The locals have always known that the best watermelons are Bogue Sound Watermelons. Usually these melons are available from July until about mid August. On hot summer afternoons during my childhood, my mother would cut a chilled watermelon. There was always anticipation of how red it was on the inside, since in our experience that was an indicator of just how sweet and juicy it would be. She would cut the slices lengthwise so that everyone got some of the “heart” as we called it. The “heart’ or center of the watermelon is the sweetest and reddest part and few seeds.


So where are these culinary delights grown? The farms on and around Highway 24 from Cape Carteret to Morehead bordering directly or indirectly on Bogue Sound has always been considered to be Watermelon Mecca. Even though these melons have been popular locally for as long as I can remember and some think for at least 100 years, not until the Bogue Sound Watermelon Growers Association formed in 2005 and a specific sticker designed by the state to be placed on each melon, did people really know when they were getting a bonafide Bogue Sound Watermelon.

With the tobacco Buy-Out farmers started growing more watermelon to help their farms continue to be profitable. The establishment of the association gave the growers of Bogue Sound Watermelon a branding and identity that has helped expand their market area. Now a Bogue Sound Watermelon can be found in supermarkets across the nation with a cute colorful sticker labeling it as a Bogue Sounder. There are approximately 20 farmers in the association and each member brings their watermelons to a central shipping location, for inspection to ensure consistent and uniform quality and size.

If you are vacationing here at the John & Lucille Country Retreat, the closest place to buy your melon is Guthrie Farms on Highway 24 in the town of Bogue, north of Cape Carteret and Bucks Corner Farm located on Highway 58 in Pelieter. Also guest during July and August staying at the Retreat may find one of these delicious melons waiting for them in the refrigerator….chilled and ready to eat. Last week, a family from Canada staying at the retreat called when they returned home to tell me that one of the highlights of the week was the watermelon. They said it was the sweetest melon they had ever had. Of course, I told them this was not just any watermelon. It was a Bogue Sound Watermelon and that was very special.

Bird Watching on the Coast of North Carolina

Over 71 million Americans spent nearly $45 billion on observing, feeding,or watching wildlife in 2006.

Approximately 1 in 6 Americans observe birds to identify species or study their habits around the home. *

North Carolina is a premier bird watching state. Birders have long known that North Carolina has some of the finest birding hot spots in the region. The Crystal Coast is one of those ideal places for bird watching. Carteret County is now part of the Coastal Plain Region of the North Carolina Birding trail with 12 designated sites.

The trail nearest the John & Lucille Country Retreat is part of the Croatan National Forest at the boat ramp area on the White Oak River. This is a 1 mile long loop trail that provides opportunities to view salt marsh and pine/hardwood species of birds and waterfowl. The trail is a combination of boardwalks and paths crossing the marsh and pine/hardwoods as well as along the edge of the river. There are herons, egrets, and osprey. The best birding opportunities is late April through early June. There is great parking, picnic tables, and bathrooms near the trail.

The following link is an excellent brochure about the Cedar Point Nature Trail and the wildlife there. http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/cedar_point.pdf

Species of birds seen on this trail: Red-headed woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Summer Tanager, Painted Bunting, and wading birds.

Directions: From the intersection of NC 24 and NC 58 in Cape Carteret, take NC58 North for 0.7 miles. Turn left on VFW Road. Go 0.5 miles and turn left at the Croatan National Forest Sign.

Travel for about 1 mile to the end of the road.

Additional Notes on Birding:
This past Spring a Painted Bunting and an Indigo Bunting was sited feeding at the home of Ron and Mary Howard on Goose Creek. The only Painted Bunting I have seen is in the North American bird display at the Museum of National History in Washington, DC. So I was very excited to know that here in Carteret County we have these exquisite birds that migrate

through the coastal area.

In April I saw a Pilated Red Headed Woodpecker at Mike Carroll's home at Geoffrey Branch pounding on the siding of his house. Mike wasn't thrilled at the constant pecking sound or the thought of what this huge bird was doing to the siding. However, this bird was spectacular because of his size and brilliant color. Pilated woodpeckers are much larger than the common Red-headed Woodpecker.

Here at the John & Lucille Country Retreat, the Eastern Bluebirds are seen frequently as well as Robins and Mockingbirds. There are many Killdeers at the Farmhouse too. Killdeers are cute birds that use the "broken wing" act to distract anyone from their nest. They breed in open areas and often on gravel. The eggs look like stones so the eggs can be found in the slightest depression in a graveled driveway blending it into the surroundings.

Websites of Interest on Birding

The North Carolina Birding Trail, Salinda Daley, Coordinator
www.ncbirdingtrail.com

email: info@ncbirdingtrail.org

http://www.birding.com/

* 2006 US Fish and Wildlife Service National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (2007) (http://federalasst.fws./gov/surveys/surveys.html )

Historic Swansboro

Swansboro, incorporated 1783 has a population of approximately 1,388 and takes its name from Samuel Swann who was a Speaker in the North Carolina House of Commons and a resident of Onslow County. The town, originally spelled Swannsborough, is sometimes called "The Friendly City by the Sea". M.N. Lisk, a popular Swansboro mayor, was the creator of the annual Mullet Festival, one of the first coastal seafood festivals in North Carolina. The Mullet Festival celebrated 50 years in 2004.

Swansboro is a quaint city with restaurants, shopping, and downtown historic sites. Traveling from the John & Lucille Country Retreat it is only 20 minutes to Swansboro. It is a good place to spend the day on the waterfront city browsing the unique shops on Front Street and eating at one of the great restaurants.

Annual Events and Festivals.

January - Business Showcase - 4th Weekend

March - Annual Oyster Roast - 3rd Saturday - 5PM -8PM

April - Annual Historic Downtown Spring Yard Sale

May - Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament - 1st Friday

Memorial Weekend - Swansboro Bluewater/King Mackerel Fishing Tournament

June - Swansboro Arts by the Sea Festival - 2nd Saturday

July - Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks on Waterfront - July 4th

September - Onslow Bay King Mackerel Fishing Tournament - 3rd Weekend

October - Swansboro Mullet Festival - 2nd Weekend

November - Annual Pig Cook Off - 1st Weekend
Swansboro Candle Light Shopping - 2nd Weekend
Swansboro Speckled Trout Fishing Tournament - 2nd Weekend
Swansboro Annual Flotilla - Weekend following Thanksgiving

Visit http://www.swansboro_nbc.org/

Labels: Swansboro draft 10:38:00 AM by Deloria

What Do Our Guest Think?

I give our guest the opportunity to make comments about their stay at the John & Lucille Country Retreat. Call 252-725-0236 or send email to stella@ec.rr.com for information or reservations.

I think our guest say it best!

February 2009

The Sateys and Johnsons thank you for sharing your well loved home with us. We enjoyed all the amenties from the gift baskets to the Winnie Pooh in the crib. It was a blessing to visit with our newest family additon, and seeing our very loved Chief Johnson before he heads to Afghanistan. Asheville, NC Charlotte, NC Morganton NC Lufkin, TX

The Howieson's would like to thank you for the wonderful environment you have created at the Retreat. Your peaceful setting allowed us to have a serene, comforting place for our last moments with our Marine before he deployed. He was so happy and said it felt like home ad that meant the world to us! Thank you once again for being such an outstanding hostess! God Bless and Semper Fi!

March 2009

Thank you for awesome hospitality! Your retreat is wonderful, we couldn't have asked for a better vacation. Thanks for all the helpful travel hints in your booklet and the goodies. We highly recommend this home. We hope to plan another trip here. God Bless you and your family. The Schmidt Family, Elk Mound, WI

April 2009

Deloria, thank you for such a beautiful and peaceful stay. Your retreat is fabulous and couldn't have asked for more. We had a great family gathering and look forward to many more here! You know exactly how to make a guest feel at home. The baby loved the Easter Basket and snacks and the fruit. I thank you for such great hospitality and beautiful flowers. You really are special and we truly appreciate everything you have done to make this trip memorable! The Westhoff and Beasley Family

June 2008

From the moment we drove up and stepped into the house, it was so-o-o peaceful, cheerful. It just has a good "coming home" feeling. There wasn't anything we needed except groceries and our suitcases. We enjoyed our family reunion here. Very roomy, comfortable. P. Malis, Cortez, Colorado

We have really enjoyed our stay here: very at home and comfortable feeling here. Very Relaxing and great place for our family reunion. Very much recommended! T. Hammond, Cisco, TX.

This place was fantastic! And....exactly what we needed. I am looking forward to reserving this home again next year. A great place for an extended family vacation! S. Payne, Etowah, TN

July 2008

Everything was set up so beautifully. We loved the decor and fresh flowers. We loved the beach and the slower pace. It reminded us of W. Africa where we spent 18 years on the east Atlantic Coast. J. Penner, Ontario, Canada

August 2008

We love this place. We hope to come back again!!! We will get in touch with you! Thanks for your hospitality, the flowers and all arrangements! Very Beautiful!!! The beaches are great and hot! Thanks again for this wonderful get away!!! F. Do Monte, Montreal Canada

We cannot express to you the wonderful feelings we felt upon entering this retreat. It was a home filled with so much love and blessings and we were all lucky enough to get to experience it. All the extra touches placed around the house made our stay that much more enjoyable. The welcome basket, fresh flowers & huge watermelon were all very much appreciated. We hope others will enjoy their stay as much as we did. God Bless and the best to you always. C. DoMonte, Quebec, Canada

September 2008

We enjoyed staying at this wonderful, peaceful, comfortable home as we welcomed "home" our son/brother from his (USMC) deployment to Iraq. We will likely be back again, and will spread the word about this special place. Thank you for all the care you take, Deloria, to make it so nice. (Riso's Resturant and Hammock's Beach State Park are wonderful!) The Ludwig Family, Melbourne, Florida

Thank you for everything! What a warm gracious welcome you gave us. Everything we needed was here. This is such a wonderful "get away from it all" place - yet convenient to the beautiful beaches at Emerald Isle and Hammocks beach state park, we well as Camp Lejeune. The perfect place for our family reunion. K. Benton Gainesville, Florida

Thank you so much for the welcome and hospitality! The house is splendid; the furnishing are beautiful, the rooms are comfortable and cozy, and the land is so peaceful and restful! This beautifully restored and maintained house was full of life and love while we were here, and we truly enjoyed it. We could sense all of the care that has been put into this house, care that we have admired and enjoyed! We very much look forward to coming back! Thank you again Deloria. P. Carr Family, Hillisborough, NC

The Gershwins enjoyed a wonderful time here. We laughed, talked, cried and took a piece of Stella with us. Thank you for supplying such a wonderful place for u to stay this year. H. St. Clair and the Gershwin Girls, Greenville, NC and all over

October 2008

This place was wonderful! Thank you for your hospitality, the fresh flowers were a surprise and were just beautiful as we "welcomed home" our grandson from his deployment to Iraq with the US marines. God bless you Deloria for making this time so special for all of us. B & P Reynolds, Dallastown, PA

November 2008

Thank you for everything. We really enjoyed staying here. We had a great time with our son and his friends from Camp Lejeune. May God Bless you and your family. The Ginandt Family, Cincinnati, OH

Christmas 2008

After two days and 14 hours of driving through snow, sleet, and rain we were so excited when we drove up to this beautiful house. We knew it would be perfect when we saw the lighted Christmas tree outside and the beautiful wreath on the door. The gifts and special cards on the table were a welcomed surprise - the girls couldn't believe "Santa" had left a letter. When we rounded the bend and saw the cozy perfectly decorated living room, we knew we were in the right place. You have put so much into this blessed retreat and our family apreciated it all (comfortable beds, Christmas decorations, beautiful sheets, abundant towels, etc.) We had so much time to play games, do puzzles, read, and relax together-it is the way holidays were meant to be! I believe that the love your parents shared still blesses this house. The Whaley Family, Torrington, CN

Springtime At The Retreat

Cherry Blossom Time

When the Yoshino Cherry trees bloom in April at John & Lucille's Country Retreat, it is the most stunning site to behold. The awesome mass of blossoms emerge just before the new spring leaves appear. Each year I take many photos hoping to capture the immense beauty during the 10 days or so these trees are in full bloom. What looks like millions of buds open into 3/4 inch white to pink flowers.

Origin
The Yoshino Cherry (prunus xyedoensis) is a native of Japan, Korea, and China but perform well in the US from Washington, DC to as far south as Mississippi (zones 5-8). Some rank the Yoshino Cherry tree, introduced to America in 1902, as one of the best spring flowering trees. It likes moist, well drained soil in full sun. Its life expectancy is about 15-20 years and has mature height of 40-50 feet. My experience is it is fast growing as a young tree and in 3-4 years the trunk can be 4-5 inches in diameter.

History
The Yoshino Cherry tree is a symbol of friendship between the US and Japan. In 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese Ambassador planted the first two Yoshino Cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, Washington, DC. In 1915 we responded with a gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. The first Cherry Blossom Festival was in 1935 but because of WWII the festival was not held again until 1947. In 1965 three thousand eight hundred more trees were accepted by First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. Then in 1981, Japanese Horticulturalist come to the US to take cuttings to replace the Yoshino Cherry Trees that had been destroyed by a flood in Japan.

Festivals
The International Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Macon, Georgia each spring. Macon is known as the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World". Over 300,000 Yoshino trees bloom around the
downtown, college campuses and the neighborhoods of Macon in March each year.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, DC. Today over 700,000 people visit our Nation's Capital during the two week National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Photos: These photographs were taken at the

John & Lucille Country Retreat.

Sources:

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael A. Dirr, Stipes Publishing, Inc. Illinois, page 693.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Yoshino Cherry Trees

Mississippi State University Extension Service

Greenwood Nursery

The National Arbor Day Foundation

Oysters - A Nutritionally Balanced Food

To me, oysters are one of the delicacies of the coast of North Carolina. I have fond memories of my Dad and I going to Matthews Landing to get oysters. He would buy a bushel and before leaving he would shuck two or three raw ones for each of us. During the winter months, there was no finer meal than steamed oysters with cornbread cooked in a cast iron pan.

It appears people either hate them or absolutely love them. There is no middle ground. I suppose its' their appearance that turns people off but these salty mollusk have a taste all their own and when eaten with drawn butter and cocktail sauce....well, it's a symphony of sheer joy.

Also for those who love them, going to an oyster roast is as much a social event as a meal. Everyone gathers around a table with the steamed oysters poured down the center. While shucking, friends and family share stories and visit with one another. There is chatter about how good they are, who just opened the largest oyster, how long before some hot ones will be brought out, and how many can you eat or did eat last time. Even veteran shuckers giggle with delight when they open a big one.

Oysters are good for you too. They are one of the most nutritionally balanced foods, containing protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. The National Heart and Lung Institute suggest oysters as an ideal food for low-cholesterol diets. Oysters are an excellent source of Vitamin A, B1(Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), C (Ascorbic acid) and D (Calciferol). Four or five medium size oyster supply the recommended daily allowance of iron, copper, iodine, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and manganese and phosphorus.


Oysters are bivalve mollusks that can live up to 40 years and grow up to eight inches. In North Carolina the oysters (Crassostrea Virginica) are harvested at three years of age and about 3 inches. The population of oysters has declined over the past century due to habitat loss, pollution, diseases, and over harvesting. According to the North Carolina Federation, oysters are very important to our estuaries. These keystone species are a reflection of the health of the ecosystem. Restoring and keeping our native oysters healthy will help to keep our coastal waters and other aquatic species healthy.


Oysters are harvested from October to March with tongs, rakes, and by hand here on the coast. They dredge for them in the Pamlico Sound. Even though locals say oysters should be eaten only in months with r's, oysters really can be eaten 12 months a year. This started in the days when oysters where shipped with inadequate refrigeration and spoiling was problematic. Today all seafood is shipped refrigerated. However, some local restaurants still only serve steamed oysters during those months because they buy them from the Chesapeake Bay area.

Local Restaurants
T&W Oyster Bar and Restaurant - Highway 58, only 5 minutes from the John & Lucille Country Retreat.

Jordan's Restaurant - Emerald Isle, across from Bogue Inlet Drive, only 10 minutes from John & Lucille's


If you have had a good dining experience at an oyster bar, please add your comments to this blog.


Sources:
http://www.ncfisheries.net/
http://www.nccoast.org/
http://www.globalgourmet.com/
http://www.bartleby.com/

Croatan National Forest - Only Minutes Away

The John & Lucille Country Retreat , located off Highway 58 in Stella, North Carolina, is surrounded by a vast area of the Croatan National Forest making it perfect lodging for hunters coming to the coastal region. The Retreat is 4 Bedrooms, 3 baths with an outside shower. There is a large carport for grilling as well as room to wash and park boats on the property. It's just a wonderful place to relax after a day of hunting or fishing and close to everything the Crystal Coast has to offer.

Croatan National Forest has some of the best hunting in North Carolina. All the surrounding water and lush forest provides exceptional habitat for deer, black bears, turkeys, waterfowl, osprey, and 'gators. There is great kayaking and canoeing on the rivers and lakes along with hiking trails for bird watching and just enjoying the beautiful forest. Mike Marsh in his article about Black Bears on the North Carolina Game and Fish Website states that, "the vast Croatan National Forest in Jones, Craven, and Beaufort Counties is one of the top produces for bear hunters in the coastal region." Of course, Croatan is a deer and duck hunters haven also.

According to the USDA Forest Service, Croatan National Forest is 160,000 acres of pine forest, saltwater estuaries, bogs and pocosins in Jones, Craven, Beaufort and Carteret Counties. It is bordered on three sides by the White Oak River, Trent River, Neuse River and mumerous creeks as well as Bogue Sound. It encompasses the towns and villages of Stella, Cedar Point, Cape Carteret, Maysville, Pollocksville, Havelock, and Newport with New Bern being nearby. It has three major lakes: Catfish Lake, Great Lake, and Long Lake. Major highways are NC 58, 17, 70, and 24 making driving to the forest easy.

Boat ramps in Croatan are at Catfish Lake, Great Lake, Cedar Point, and Haywood Landing. There is also a boat ramp at Stella on the White Oak River and Cedar Point at the Inland WaterWay.

For a brochure on Croatan call: 252-638-5628 or visit http://www.ncwildlife.org/
For additional information click on this link: Croatan and then click on Carolina Connections, for Cradle of Forestry page 16.

Visit John & Lucille's Country Retreat website for full list of ammenities and rates.

White Oak Duck Impoundment

Recently, a group of hunters coming to the area to duck hunt at the White Oak Duck Impoundment contacted me about staying at the John & Lucille Country Retreat. I was amazed that even after growing up in Stella, I wasn't aware of the impoundment. I have a keen interest and love for waterfowl, so I am excited to learn more about the duck impoundment. If anyone has information to share about the duck impoundment, please add your comments to this posting.

An impoundment is a civil engineering term used to describe an area where water is collected in a dam or reservoir. The White Oak duck impoundment is a flooded area constructed for the protection of waterfowl. It borders the White Oak River* on the Onslow County side, approximately 1/2 mile up the river from the Stella Bridge. The land (100 acres) was donated by Percy and Rachael Morton of Stella and the contruction was completed in 1995.

Water is pumped in and out of the White Oak River into the impoundment so as to maintain the brackish marsh and submerged vegetation as well as to keep the water somewhat level in the impoundment. A wide variety of duck species including mallards, gadwall, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and shovelers benefit by this protected impoundment.

The John & Lucille Country Retreat is a perfect place to stay while hunting or fishing in the area. There is a boat ramp** at the Stella Bridge only 1/2 mile from the impoundment. The Retreat has plenty of parking spaces and room to park and wash a boat.

Picture: The pipe going from the river to the impoundment.

For more information,
visit http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/
or call 800-892-6775.


*The White Oak River flows from Hoffman Forest in Jones County into Carteret and Onslow Counties reaching Swansboro and Bogue Inlet. This blackwater river changes from fresh to brackish and then to salt water as it nears Swansboro and the Inland Waterway.


** There is a $5 charge to launch a boat at the Stella Bridge boat landing.

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.