2017 - West New Bern

29 December

Don’t Forget Your Fruits and Veggies

Jackie B2017-12-29T20:33:49-05:00December 29th, 2017|Blog, Uncategorized|

On one of my trips to New Bern, I had the opportunity to stay over the weekend. What a treat, as I soon discovered the city boasts an incredible Saturday Farmers' Market. Held in the historic downtown district, the Farmers Market was an amazing sight. There must have been close to 100 vendors selling one-of-a-kind items, dessert goodies, hand-painted treasures and of course, delectable fresh fruits and veggies. Being the holiday season, I had the added pleasure of holiday treats. The holidays in New Bern are one-of-a-kind, from crafts to celebrations! The Saturday Farmers Market is a wonderful

8 December

Park Yourself Here for Relaxation

Jackie B2017-12-20T13:24:32-05:00December 8th, 2017|Blog, Uncategorized|

This is the first riverfront park I have been to where you are this close to the water. I had heard that New Bern boasted several parks and green spaces. However I was still pleasantly surprised that one of the first places I came upon was a riverfront setting to kick my shoes off and enjoy the spectacular view. The Union Point Park pavilion has been the site of many gatherings, including weddings! Union Point Park spans six acres along the convergence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. With a pavilion, playground, benches and several shady areas,

15 November

The Rivers Run Through It

Jackie B2017-12-20T13:23:45-05:00November 15th, 2017|Blog|

I adore the movie A River Runs Through It for many reasons. Yes, I have a slight crush on Brad Pitt, and Tom Skerritt is a phenomenal actor. But why I fell in love with this movie is the pure beauty of the non-human character, the river. The welcome sign as you enter New Bern says it all. The first time I visited New Bern, I thought I was reliving a scene from the movie. I immediately felt a sense of inner calmness. New Bern is at the convergence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers, and these two rivers provide

12 October

A Tale of Two Pounds (in One City)

Jackie B2017-12-20T13:23:18-05:00October 12th, 2017|Blog, Uncategorized|

I have visited New Bern a few times now, and I’m a bit embarrassed to admit, each time I leave with some extra baggage. As in a couple of extra pounds! I refuse to take the blame. The restaurant options are too enticing to ignore. The Chelsea is located on Middle Street in New Bern's historic downtown. On my first visit, I met some friends, including Weyerhaeuser's Kellie Hawkins, at The Chelsea. One word to describe the meal—indescribable! I ordered the filet mignon, prepared medium rare (the only way I think a filet should be prepared), and I promised myself

20 September

First and Foremost, New Bern Is Second to None

Jackie B2017-12-20T13:22:34-05:00September 20th, 2017|Blog|

It's evident the City of New Bern is one of pride, community spirit and friendly people. However, I had no idea New Bern was a place of firsts! As you drive, bike or walk through the city, you are likely to come upon two of them. I was in a gardener's dream at the Tryon Palace Gardens. Did you know New Bern was the site of the first capitol building for North Carolina? Tryon Palace was commissioned under Governor Tryon, and in 1771 it opened. During the Revolutionary War, the palace was burned to the ground. This tragedy, coupled

14 August

New Bern Is Easy to Bear in Mind

JulieS2017-08-30T22:43:49-04:00August 14th, 2017|Blog|

As trite as this may sound, the first time I visited New Bern, North Carolina, I knew this was a special place. There are many words to describe the character of the city—historic, modern, charming, eclectic, welcoming, quiet and active. These descriptives may seem to be somewhat contradictory, yet that's why New Bern is so unique. This was the first bear I encountered on my initial visit to New Bern. The city’s uniqueness became very evident when I came upon my first Bear. No, not the real kind, thank goodness. It was a themed statue named “Bearon de Graffenreid,”

19 July

Craven Thirty Project Gets New Name, Updated Site Plan

JulieS2023-09-28T17:46:17-04:00July 19th, 2017|Media|

Craven Thirty, the planned mixed-use community off N.C. 43 and U.S. 70, has taken on a new name, and possibly a new lease on life. The project, which was touted by former Gov. Bev Perdue in 2012 and then stalled by an economic slump and a changing retail landscape, has been renamed West New Bern. The site is now planned as a primarily residential development. According to a West New Bern website launched Tuesday by Weyerhaeuser, the company designing the site, Phase 1 of the project spans approximately 540 acres and will include residence capacity of