Jackie B, Author at West New Bern

23 November

A Love Letter to New Bern, Part Two

Jackie B2021-11-23T21:28:39-05:00November 23rd, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

In last month’s post, I listed four of the reasons why I simply adore New Bern. The lovefest continues, with four more reasons why this town is so special. Love #5 – The Holidays Like many other things in New Bern, the holidays take on a whole new meaning when you enjoy them here. From the tree lighting to the Christmas parade, from the carriage rides to Santa’s Village, you would have to be a Scrooge to not get into the holiday spirit. The entire month is full of activities, all under the aptly named Beary Merry Christmas. If you

27 October

A Love Letter to New Bern

Jackie B2021-10-27T15:48:05-04:00October 27th, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

To those of you who have read my posts over the last few years, it is obvious I really, really like New Bern. I just completed the longest trip there (a total of eight days), and I can now go on the record that I am having a downright love affair with this wonderful town. The reasons are too many to include in one post, so get ready to read all about my top 12 in this and two future posts. New Bern's historic downtown is the epitome of Main Street, U.S.A. Love #1 – The Downtown You

24 September

A Mum’s Love is the Best

Jackie B2021-09-24T16:45:10-04:00September 24th, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

As October approaches, I know that cooler weather is just around the corner. It also means it is my favorite time of year to celebrate the blooms that New Bern has made famous (at least in these parts). MumFest is set for a return, after last year’s event was reimagined as MumFeast due to the pandemic. This year, we get to enjoy both events, along with a concert! MumFest is back this year, as is MumFeast and the MumFest Concert! MumFest For the weekend of October 9 and 10, the blooms take over! MumFest is New Bern’s opportunity

23 September

3,000-acre Development in New Bern Could Be Sign of Major Growth Ahead for NC Coast

Jackie B2023-09-28T17:47:46-04:00September 23rd, 2021|Media|

Triangle Business Journal By Evan Hoopfer, September 23, 2021 For basically any other company, the West New Bern development would be considered massive. But timber giant Weyerhaeuser owns 540,000 acres of timberland in North Carolina alone. "The term massive, I guess it just depends on scale," said Rose Fagler, economic development manager for Seattle-based Weyerhaeuser (NYSE: WY), which has a real estate business unit that has developed several master-planned communities in the Southeast. Still, West New Bern will help reshape Craven County and the surrounding area at the mouth of the Neuse River along the North Carolina coast. Phase I

25 August

Three Sweet Spots

Jackie B2021-08-25T16:42:53-04:00August 25th, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

On my most recent visit to New Bern, I had a free afternoon, which offered the perfect opportunity to explore the historic downtown. Here are three sweet spots along my route. Inside this door awaits yumminess! Sweet Spot #1 - Bear City Fudge Company My first sweet spot stop was to fuel up for my afternoon of discovery. I headed over to Bear City Fudge Company, my go-to source for fudge, ice cream and all kinds of treats. I left with a few slabs of deliciousness, perhaps overindulging a bit. The dark-chocolate-caramel-sea-salt fudge is quite simply, pure happiness.

24 August

Craven Thirty to West New Bern, Progress Starts after 10 Years

Jackie B2023-09-28T17:45:07-04:00August 24th, 2021|Media|

New Bern Sun Journal By Julia Masters, August 24, 2021 West New Bern's first two neighborhoods underwent significant progress this summer and could welcome over 300 new families to the area by the end of 2022. The Weyerhaeuser development, located six miles from downtown New Bern, was announced as Craven Thirty in 2012. At this time, over 300 acres of the property were set aside for restaurant, retail, hotel and light industry use. In 2017, 388 acres were rezoned to be used for residential and commercial use, rather than industrial. "We took the time when we were planning West New

22 July

A Day on, in and by the Water

Jackie B2021-07-26T15:54:42-04:00July 22nd, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

This has been a hot summer all over the country, so I thought I would spotlight three activities to enjoy in August to get your day on, in or by the water. Day on the Water – Cliffs of the Neuse State Park If you are looking for wide, open spaces, then this park about an hour down the road fits to a tee. In the early 1940s, Lionel Weil donated the land as he thought the natural beauty should be preserved. The Cliffs of the Neuse offers seven different walking trails, along with picnicking areas and Visitor Center with

25 June

After a Year of No, Say Yes to Fun!

Jackie B2021-06-28T16:18:14-04:00June 25th, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

After a year of saying no to so many evenings out, we are finally getting back to being able to say yes! Here are three upcoming special nights out in July, all in New Bern: Yes #1 – ArtWalk You have read here before how much I enjoy the monthly ArtWalk in Downtown New Bern. On Friday, July 9, you can stroll along the streets, stopping into the town's many shops, galleries and restaurants. Even more special this month is “Stacked,” an exhibition featuring area artists’ creations on a deck of playing cards. Each card will have a unique work

26 May

Make It a Beach Day, Any Day

Jackie B2021-05-26T16:21:29-04:00May 26th, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

With summer officially upon us (not looking at the summer solstice, but rather the time of year), it is time to officially head to the beach! I recommend three beach day trips to the Crystal Coast, all under an hour from New Bern. Atlantic Beach in the morning. Day Trip #1 – Atlantic Beach You’ve read in this blog series before how much fun you will have at Atlantic Beach, only 36 miles away. The upper part of the Southern Outer Banks boasts great views of, you guessed it, the Atlantic Ocean. I love taking a quick drive

27 April

That’s Entertainment!

Jackie B2021-04-27T15:45:33-04:00April 27th, 2021|Blog, Uncategorized|

I love how every month in New Bern, there are so many entertainment options. May is no exception! Check out these three finds: In Plein Sight The marina is a "stroke of genius" as a wonderful setting to paint. With New Bern’s spectacular setting of Tryon Palace, the riverfront and historic downtown (just to name a few), the city provides a perfect backdrop for a painter’s inspiration. Plein Air New Bern is an event to leave the four walls of a studio behind and experience painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries, but

JackieB

About Jackie B

A Love Letter to New Bern, Part Two

A Love Letter to New Bern

A Mum’s Love is the Best

3,000-acre Development in New Bern Could Be Sign of Major Growth Ahead for NC Coast

Three Sweet Spots

Craven Thirty to West New Bern, Progress Starts after 10 Years

A Day on, in and by the Water

After a Year of No, Say Yes to Fun!

Make It a Beach Day, Any Day

That’s Entertainment!