Tag Archive for: bluebird

,

Southern Living Taps Reynolda as a “Best Place to Visit”

The editors of Southern Living “have scoured the South for what’s new, notable and next in 2025″ to create the magazine’s “25 Best Places to Go in the South in 2025.” And Winston-Salem’s historic Reynolda is on the list and noted as “one of the best-kept secrets in this vibrant college town.” According to the magazine’s listing:

If you’re looking for the ultimate springtime day trip, go to the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens, and Reynolda Village, located on and around Wake Forest University. The property and former country home of R.J. Reynolds and Katharine Smith has a multitude of things to see and do on its 1,067 acres. Stroll the formal gardens, which include flowering bulbs, azaleas, and the largest cherry tree display in the Carolinas. Don’t miss the restored 1913 Lord & Burnham Greenhouse. Tour the 64-room Reynolda House Museum of American Art, with its period interiors and galleries of paintings and other works. Then enjoy a meal and shopping at Reynolda Village, a retail area housed in historic buildings.

The museum and gardens also host a variety of special exhibits and events throughout the year. A special exhibition opens February 15 showcasing work by Andrew Wyeth, one of the most popular and celebrated American artists of the twentieth century.

For residents of the area, the allure of Reynolda is well known. It’s a popular place to walk the trails, explore the art and exhibitions, visit the village shops and restaurants, or enjoy the serene beauty of the gardens. But it’s nice to see this recognition from Southern Living that should bring even more visitors to this special place.

 

North Carolina Ranks High on Forbes List of Best Places to Start a Business

For many Americans, the dream of starting their own business ranks high, whether it’s to ditch an unsatisfying job or seeking an opportunity that offers more fulfillment and, hopefully, more income. While it can be a daunting task, a key component in success can be finding the right place to lay the groundwork for that new venture.

For budding entrepreneurs, North Carolina ranks high among states when it comes to finding a fertile environment for new business. Forbes Advisor recently placed North Carolina fifth on its list of top states in which to start a business in 2024, ranking behind only North Dakota, Indiana, South Dakota and Arkansas. The Forbes study analyzed 18 key metrics across five categories, taking into consideration factors that impact businesses and their ability to succeed, such as business costs, business climate, economy, workforce and financial accessibility in each state.

North Carolina Supports Small Business Growth and Success

According to Forbes, “North Carolina offers a blend of supportive business elements. The state’s formation fee is reasonably set at $125, striking a balance between accessibility and quality service. A significant advantage for entrepreneurs is the business survival rate of 77%, suggesting a nurturing and stable environment for startups. This rate reflects the resilience and potential for growth of businesses in the state.

“Financially, North Carolina is poised to aid small businesses, offering an average funding of $22,019 via grants and incentives. This level of support shows the state’s investment in fostering entrepreneurial ventures. The cost of living index here is 0.96, aligning closely with the national average and ensuring affordability for business owners and workers alike. With 65% of its population in the working-age category, North Carolina provides a large labor pool. The state’s scaled score of 84 out of 100 reflects these combined advantages, making it a practical and promising location for new businesses.”

Why Move When You’re Already in the Right Place

Maybe we’re biased, but if you already live in North Carolina there’s no reason to even consider a move to the Dakotas, Indiana or Arkansas. According to Forbes, you’re already in the right place.

,

Salem College Ranked 24th Among U.S. Liberal Arts Colleges

 

In its annual review of college and universities, “Washington Monthly 2023 College Rankings” included Salem College among the Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States, one of only two North Carolina colleges in the top 25. Ranked 24th overall, Salem College was also ranked 4th in the nation for graduation rate performance and 8th for the earning performance of its graduates. In its ranking of institutions providing the “Best Bang for the Buck,” Salem College placed 14th among all colleges and universities in the Southeast.

In addition, Washington Monthly awarded Salem the No. 1 Earning Performance ranking in North Carolina among all Southeast colleges and universities, and Salem leads all North Carolina liberal arts colleges in the Top 25 for AmeriCorps and Peace Corps service, indicating both the civic and economic benefits that come from a Salem education. Washington Monthly also noted that 20% of Salem College graduates pursued service-oriented majors, the largest percentage of any of the Top 25 liberal arts colleges in the ranking.

1,485 four-year institutions were evaluated in the rankings for 2023, which integrate several publicly available data components. Washington Monthly has published its annual ranking of colleges and universities since 2005, which it says are based on what colleges “do for our country,” and which have three broad areas of emphasis: social mobility, research, and promotion of public service.

Founded in 1772, Salem Academy and College is the nation’s oldest educational institution for girls and women in the United States.

,

Graylyn Estate Named Top 10 Boutique Hotel by USA Today

The historic Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem was voted by the readers of USA Today as one of the 10 best boutique hotels in the country in the recent 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. According to USA Today, “boutique hotels offer an escape all their own, complete with a more customized experience and the best modern amenities and service.”

Winston-Salem’s Own Version of Downtown Abbey

In its description of Graylyn Estate, the review noted that “butlers are available around the clock to ensure that guest needs are always attended to. Winston-Salem’s own version of ‘Downton Abbey’ treats visitors to this 55-acre historic property like royalty.”

The estate is justly proud of this elite designation. “Graylyn is honored and proud to be recognized by elite travel writers and voters,” said Vice President John Wise. “The Graylyn team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests and corporate meeting partners. The award validates our commitment to hospitality each and every day. Graylyn is fortunate to be included on the list and to shine a light across the country on Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University.”

Then Second-Largest Home in North Carolina

The estate’s history stretches back to 1925 when Bowman Gray, then president of tobacco company R.J. Reynolds, and wife Nathalie Lyons Gray purchased 87 acres that were originally part of the Reynolda estate of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds. Employing the finest artisans and craftsmen, Graylyn emerged as the second-largest home in North Carolina, with nearly 85 rooms and 46,000 square feet of living space.

Today, the Graylyn Estate is owned and operated by Wake Forest University. A unique blend of Old World charm and personalized service, the estate is recognized for its opulent interiors, luxury amenities and 55 acres of lush grounds. An ongoing tradition is the serving each afternoon of Mrs. Gray’s butterscotch cookies in honor of the couple’s dogs, Butter and Scotch, as well as complimentary ice cream, Mr. Gray’s favorite treat.

,

NC Baptist Hospital Celebrates a Century of Service

North Carolina Baptist Hospital, now known as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, officially marked 100 years of service on May 28.

The hospital opened its doors in Winston-Salem on May 28, 1923, with a simple commitment: to be a place of healing and teaching. Planning began in 1919, when the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina held its annual meeting and appointed a special commission to seek a location for North Carolina’s first Baptist hospital. The goal was to create a network of hospitals to care for the state’s neediest patients.

An 11-acre tract of land in Winston-Salem’s Ardmore neighborhood was chosen as the site for the hospital. Construction took about two years, and on May 28, 1923, North Carolina Baptist Hospital opened, with five floors and 88 beds. Fred Trivette, who would grow up to be a North Carolina highway patrolman, was the first baby born on the hospital’s opening day.

Today, the hospital is an 885-bed tertiary care center that treats families from across the region and the Wake Forest Baptist health system has grown to include five community hospitals, more than 300 primary and specialty care locations, 2,700 physicians, 4,000 nurses and more than 20,000 employees.

More than 1,200 students learn at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, including the MD, PA, Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and graduate programs. The hospital plays a pivotal role in research and education for Wake Forest University School of Medicine, a nationally-known leader in groundbreaking research and experiential medical education, and the academic core of Advocate Health.

 

Moravian Stars: A Sure Sign of the Season in Winston-Salem

 

If you spend any time around Winston-Salem during the holiday season, you’ll certainly encounter glowing 26-point Moravian stars gracing homes and trees, and even the city’s downtown decorations. These stars are a tradition tracing their origin back to the Moravians, a religious group that began settling the area in the mid-1700s and still retains a strong influence.

Thanks to Visit Winston-Salem, the “Star Man” who produces hundreds of Moravian stars each year has been revealed as Ken Manuel, a “kind man with gentle eyes and a warm voice that attracts visitors to his table at the Moravian Book & Gift Shop in Old Salem.” What began as a hobby has evolved into a full-time job over the past decade, but also a labor of love. Click here to enjoy a complete introduction to Winston-Salem’s star of the season.

Winston-Salem Is Home to the Only Remaining Historic Shell Oil “Clamshell” Station

Perhaps one of Winston-Salem’s more obscure claims to fame is as the home to the only remaining Shell Oil clamshell station in the United States. A local distributor of Shell, Quality Oil, in the 1930s built seven stations in Winston-Salem and one in nearby Kernersville as advertisements. These unique stations are today considered prime examples of representational or novelty architecture.

The quirky design was intended to draw customers, though it presented a difficult construction process. To achieve the desired effect, the office and bathroom areas were boxed in with a bent wood and wire frame. The entire facade was then coated in stucco and finished with Shell’s iconic bright yellow color. Next to the building is a trellised cover that served as the car wash and work area, while a drive-up ramp was used for other services and repairs. Restored gas pumps and replica lamp posts complete the step back in time.

Restored & Listed on National Register

This station actually remained operational until the 1950s, and the building later served as home to a lawn mower repair shop in the 1970s and 1980s. But thanks to the efforts of Preservation North Carolina, the station was restored, and in 1976 it became the first individual station in America to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Situated on the quiet neighborhood corner of Sprague and Peachtree streets, the station’s interior is no longer open to visitors, but it’s still worth a visit. A glance through its windows reveals walls hung with framed newspaper articles, and shelves lined with antique black-and-white photographs, old Shell signs and other items attesting to the station’s history.

Bluebird Realty Makes Real Estate Truly Personal

A bluebird is flapping its wings as it prepares to hand on a branch.

Most of us have had a real estate experience or several over our time on the planet, ranging in satisfaction from excellent to infuriating.

Obviously, buying or selling a home is an often complicated process in which numerous factors play a role, with the performance of a broker of key importance. Too often buyers or sellers are left feeling they didn’t receive the full attention of the person or firm representing them, that they were not the primary focus at times when it’s most needed.

Based on our experiences in buying and selling our own homes, we came to the conclusion there’s a better way. And that simply involves providing personalized, hands-own attention and service, and to no more than two clients at any time. In fact, our preference is to work with a single buyer or seller so that our sole focus can be on delivering the best possible results, and actually turn the entire process into a rewarding, even enjoyable experience for all parties.

For too many brokers, selling your home involves basically doing the paperwork, taking photos and listing your property in the local MLS system. Then it becomes a matter of waiting for brokers and/or buyers to discover the home and come calling, with hopefully a solid contract to follow. And maybe your home is just one of several being handled by your broker, which means his or her attention is divided. 

For buyers, the quest to identify suitable homes and find the right opportunity can be daunting, particularly when markets are heated. Sure, you can undertake your own search via online sources, but the person representing you – the buyer agent – needs to be leading the hunt. A broker needs to fully understand your needs and desires, your budget and the little things that will make a home the ideal fit. This is critical to the buying process, particularly if you’re moving to a new area where your knowledge is limited. 

The bottom-line is that you need a team that will listen to you, work hand-in-hand with you, undertake the necessary research and marketing, advise and advocate for you, work actively and aggressively on your behalf, and ultimately, generate the desired outcome – a rewarding real estate experience.

So why the Bluebird team?

The bluebird has long been considered a symbol of happiness by many cultures, and we see no reason that happiness shouldn’t be the end result of every real estate transaction.

MLS Internet Data Exchange (IDX) information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing, and that the data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Triad MLS®.