Things to do this 4th of July

This coming weekend we celebrate Independence Day, the day we declared our independence from England. We usually get together with family and friends for a day of fun, parades, barbecues, picnics, concerts, and, of course, fireworks! This year, you can actually catch fireworks on both Sunday and Monday if you plan ahead. Some places are celebrating the holiday on Sunday and others on Monday, the 4th. To help you plan your holiday, we have listed below some of the more popular events for the weekend.

Events for Sunday, July 3:

Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration

South Park, 820 South Main Street, Fuquay-Varina. 6 pm.

This event includes free music, inflatable rides, tons of food vendors, and spectacular fireworks after dark. A…

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Triangle Area farmers' marketsNow that Memorial Day has passed, our thoughts turn to summer; and one of the greates things about this time of the year is the availability of numerous fresh fruits and vegetables. While grocery stores stock up on all of the current fruits and veggies, there is nothing fresher than buying your goods directly from the farmer at your local farmer’s market.

Both Andrew and I are serious cooks, and one of the many things we love about living here in North Carolina is our access to high quality fresh foods. 

The Triangle Area is blessed with a plethora of farmers’ markets, so there is no reason you can’t enjoy delicious fresh foods this summer. Many of these markets offer far more than just fruits and vegetables. Many offer a number of other foods…

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Memorial Day in Durham, Cary, & Chapel HillMemorial Day is a time where citizens from across the country unite to remember those who fought, and continue to fight, for our country’s freedoms. It’s also a time to be grateful for the lifestyle that we’re so lucky to enjoy. What better way to celebrate our American freedom than to get out with your friends and family and make the most out of every single day.

There are a number of things to do and special events happening in the Triangle area May 27 – 30. Whether you’re looking for a fun day with the family or just something to do as a couple, check out what’s going on in the Triangle Area for Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Weekend at the Winery

If you’re hanging around the area this long weekend, the Chatham Hill Winery has your ticket to the…

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Jordan Lake, Chatham CountyIn Chatham County, between southern Durham and Cary and Pittsboro, sits Jordan Lake. This mostly undeveloped lake covers an area of almost 14,000 acres and has about 180 miles of shoreline.

Jordan Lake is actually a reservoir that was built between 1973 and 1983 as part of a flood control project. It is owned and operated by
the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps dammed the Haw River and the New Hope River to create the reservoir and reduce the devastating effects of severe storms downriver. The lake also provides water to several nearby communities.

The Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a group of nine access areas scattered around the lake. These access areas offer a variety of amenities for visitors.

Camping the Way You Like…

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Butterfly GardenMany of us find It fascinating to watch butterflies as they flit from flower to flower. They are beautiful, delicate creatures. But they aren&rsquot just beauties, they also pollinate flowers. There are over 170 different species of butterflies in North Carolina. Wouldn&rsquot it be nice to have a few of them spend time in your garden? Here are some ways you can attract butterflies to your yard.

Grow caterpillars to get butterflies.

As strange as that sounds, you want to grow caterpillars. Caterpillars turn into butterflies as adults. So if you don&rsquot have caterpillars, you won&rsquot have many butterflies. To grow caterpillars, you need the right host plants. These plants include clover, honeysuckle, peas, violets, milkweed, pipevine,…

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Downsizing your homeDoes your home seem too big for your current circumstances? If so, you are not alone. Baby Boomers especially are finding that they don’t need such a large home anymore. Many people who are thinking about retirement are also looking for ways to economize a bit, and a lower mortgage payment from a smaller home looks inviting. If you are thinking about downsizing your home, here are some tips to make the job easy.

Decide what you want your future to be like.

Do you want your life to stay pretty much the same but just live in a smaller house in the same neighborhood? Or, do you want to live in your own home in a retirement community where residents have many amenities available to them? Perhaps you want to live nearer to the center of town so that most…

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Inheriting homes from parents

You have inherited a house from your parents or some other elderly relative. So now what do you do? The ultimate answer will depend on a number of factors such as whether you are the sole inheritor, if the home is nearby, the wishes and needs of your spouse or children, and your current financial situation. But you really have three options. You can live in the home, rent it out, or sell it.

Do you need to go through probate?

If received title to the house from the executor, you don’t have to worry about probate. That has already been handled by the executor. If you are the executor, then you will have to check out probate. If the home is located in North Carolina, the house will have to go through probate unless it is owned jointly with rights…

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Best Dog Home

Is your dog a beloved family member? I know our dog Hank (pictured below) is. Most people love their pets as much as a family member, and they continually shower their dogs with love and affection. Now, many homeowners are going all out and altering their homes to meet the needs and perceived desires of their dogs. Talk about a dog's life!

So how are people modifying their homes to cater to the needs of their dogs? You might be surprised. Some are building dog rooms in their homes. They use an extra bedroom, den, or bonus room and outfit it to make their beloved pet feel like a king. They equip the room with a nice dog bed, comfortable dog-size furniture, a dressing table, dog toys, a feeding station, and often a dog shower and grooming station.…

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Cleaning up your landscaping and boosting curb appealSpring is in the air. It’s time for a little spring cleaning to set the stage for summer. This is the perfect time to spruce up the landscaping. Here is a list to get you started.

Debris Removal is the Key to a Healthy Green Lawn

Walk around the property and remove any fallen branches and other debris that have landed on the grass or in the flowerbeds. Rake up dead leaves from the grass and garden areas. Dead leaves will prevent the grass from growing. You can grind up the leaves and branches for mulch, or dispose of them according to the regulations in your community.

Spruce Up Your Trees & Shrubs

Trim damaged tree limbs. Proper treatment of damaged limbs will prevent the tree from dying. If you lack the skill or equipment, hire a…

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Durham SkylineLocated just 25 miles south of the Virginia border sits the Bull City; Durham North Carolina. Although small in land mass, Durham is the fourth largest city in state. It has big-city amenities even though it has a small-town feel. Durham is a racially diverse city. Of the approximately 252,000 residents, about 42% are white, 40% are black and the rest are other races.

Durham's Storied Past

Durham has changed a lot over the years. It began as Indian farmland and was settled by Europeans in the mid-1700s. Between the Revolutionary War and the War Between the States, large plantations were established in the area. After the Civil War, the Durham area grew quickly due to its tobacco and textile industries. In the 1950s and 1960s, Research Triangle Park…

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