North Carolina Symbols Part VII

State Motto, Esse Quam Videri - Esse Quam Videri (To be rather than to seem) The General Assembly of 1893 adopted the words "Esse Quam Videri" as the State's motto and directed that these words with the date "20 May, 1775," be placed with our Coat of Arms upon the Great Seal of the State
The motto is a literal translation of a phrase from a sentence in Cicero's "On Friendship" (De Amicitia, chapter 26). The complete sentence in Latin is:
Virtute enim ipsa non tam multi praediti esse quam videri volunt (Fewer possess virtue, than those who wish us to believe that they possess it).
Until the act of 1893, North Carolina had no motto, being one of the few states--and the only one of the original thirteen--without one.
What a great motto that can and should be applied to all the aspects of our lives, today as much as ever!

North Carolina Symbols Part VI

State Vegetable, Sweet Potato - The sweet potato was officially designated the State Vegetable by the General Assembly of 1995.
Students at a Wilson County school petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly for the establishment of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) as the Official State Vegetable. Their assignment led to the creation of this state symbol. The sweet potato is high in vitamins A and C and low in fat and was grown in North Carolina before the European colonization of North America.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the nation, harvesting more than 700 million pounds of the vegetable in 2006, and thus providing more than 40% of the 1.6 billion pounds produced in the United States.

Your North Carolina Broker

Sonja Babic

252-617-0861

http://www.sonjababic.com/

North Carolina Symbols Part V

State Tree, Pine - The pine was officially designated as the State Tree by the General Assembly of 1963. Contrary to popular belief, no specific type of pine tree was specified in the Session Law. Eight types are considered indigenous to the state, including the eastern white, loblolly, longleaf, pitch, pond, shortleaf, table mountain, and virginia. The pine is the most common of the trees found in North Carolina, as well as the most important one in the history of our State. During the Colonial and early Statehood periods, the pine was a vital part of the economy of North Carolina. From it came many of the "naval stores" - resin, turpentine, and timber - needed by merchants and the navy for their ships. The pine has continued to supply North Carolina with many important wood products, particularly in the building industry.
According to North Carolina Forests, 2002 (published by the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service), softwood species (like pine, hemlock, and spruce) made up 34% of the state's total wood volume, with the loblolly pine being the predominant species.

Your North Carolina Broker

Sonja Babic

252-617-0861

http://www.sonjababic.com/

North Carolina Symbols Part IV

State Insect, Honey Bee – Designated by General Assembly in 1973 Honey Bee became North Carolinas official State Insect. This hard working creature is responsible for the annual honey production worth more then $2,000,000 in the state. Not a native species, the honey bee was brought to North America by settlers from Europe. Honey, which bees produce to feed the colony, is a natural sweetener. In the process of gathering nectar to make honey, bees pollinate seed-bearing plants that provide us with food and with fiber for clothing. Pollination is biggest Honey Bee’s contribution to North Carolina crops.
Did you know that: The honey bee has been proclaimed the official state insect in 16 states?

Your North Carolina Broker Sonja Babic 252-617-0861 www.SonjaBabic.com

North Carolina Symbols Part III

State Fruit, Scuppernong Grape - Designated by General Assembly in 2001 Scuppernong Grape became North Carolina State Fruit. The name comes from the Scuppernong River in North Carolina, where it was found and first cultivated during the 17th century. Scuppernong is our nation's first cultivated grape.The name itself traces back to the Algonquian word ascopo meaning "sweet bay tree".
The fruit consists of four parts: the outer skin or hull; the pulp, or 'meat'; seeds; and juice.
Several small green seeds are found in each grape. The skin is very thick and tart. The pulp is viscous and sweet. The seeds, which are bitter, can be swallowed with the pulp or extracted and spit out. The most desired part of the scuppernong is the sweet juice that lies underneath its skin.
In addition, according to herbal lore, eating this whole grape also has health benefits. The hull adds a significant amount of fiber to the diet; while the seeds when chewed provide a grape-seed extract that can aid in improving memory and other functions. While no scientific validation of this fact is availalble, it still makes for another good excuse to enjoy this truly Southern delicacy.


Your North Carolina Broker

Sonja Babic

252-617-0861

http://www.sonjababic.com/

North Carolina Symbols Part II

State Flower, Dogwood - The General Assembly of 1941 designated the dogwood as the State Flower. The Dogwood is one of the most prevalent trees in North Carolina and it can be found in all parts of the state from the mountains to the coast. It blossoms in spring and continues in to the summer most often white and sometimes in pink or red.
The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) originally evolved as a junior member of the forests of the eastern United States where it thrives under the canopy of larger trees in the shady, moist and nutrient-rich conditions it prefers. Home-owners and landscapers have long favored it for its lovely spring display, its attractive shape and luxuriant leaves and its modest size.
This versatile little tree requires a little thought and care if its introduction to a property is to be a success. It is not ideal for all sites and climate conditions and it is vulnerable to a range of diseases and insect predators. The flowering dogwood is also easily damaged by lawnmowers and doesn't respond well to rough handling.

Your North Carolina Broker

Sonja Babic

252-617-0861

http://www.sonjababic.com/

North Carolina Symbols Part I

State Bird, Cardinal - The cardinal was selected as our state bird on March 4th 1943. The Cardinal is year –round resident of North Carolina it is one of the most common birds in our gardens, meadows and woodlands. Sometimes called winter bird because that it’s when it’s only red bird present and most noticeable.
The Northern Cardinal is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of 21-23 cm (8.3 to 9 inches) and a wingspan of 25-31 cm (10-12 in). It weighs about 45 g (1.6 ounces). The male is slightly larger than the female. Male Cardinal is red all over except his throat and area around his bill witch is black. The female is dull in color with some red mostly to the crest, wings and tail. Difference in color is very common with birds as female are the ones sitting on the eggs and they have to blend with the natural setting in order to protect their eggs. The Northern Cardinal is a territorial song bird. The male sings in a loud, clear whistle from the top of a tree or another high location to defend his territory. He will chase off other males entering his territory. The Northern Cardinal learns its songs, and as a result the songs vary regionally. It is able to easily distinguish the sex of another singing Northern Cardinal by its song alone. Mated pairs often travel together. The cardinals are fine singers, and witch is quite unusually in bird world females cardinals are singing just as fine as males. Both sexes sing a clear, whistled song patterns, which are repeated several times, then varied. Some common phrases are described as purdy, purdy, purdy...whoit, whoit, whoit, whoit and what-cheer, what-cheer... wheet, wheet, wheet, wheet'.
There are nesting on small trees and shrubs not higher then 4 feet and they feed mostly by seeds. Northern Cardinals also will consume insects and feed their young almost exclusively on insects.

Click Here to see singing Cardinal on YouTUBE

Your North Carolina Broker

Sonja Babic

252-617-0861

www.SonjaBabic.com

Groundbreaking set for history education center at Tryon Palace

A public groundbreaking for the North Carolina History Education Center is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday.

The event will be the culmination of more than a decade of work by Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens staff and local and state advocates of history education

It begins with a 5 p.m. performance by the Jonkonnu Troupe, a 5:25 p.m. parade by the Fife and Drum Corps, and the groundbreaking ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at which Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue and Rep. William Wainwright are scheduled to speak.

The new History Center will be a 60,000-square-foot "green" project with four major history museum galleries, a performance hall, other educational and conference spaces, and a waterfront exhibit and event area. The center's Great Hall will become the new entry to all of Tryon Palace's historic attractions and it will be great adition to everything that New Bern has to offer.



Your North Carolina Broker
Sonja Babic
252-617-0861
www.SonjaBabic.com
Sonja Babic with Prudential Clear Water Realty is your New Bern and North Carolina Real Estate Broker! Looking for waterfront, historic or golf? We have it all! Conveniently located and with so much to offer New Bern is a great place to work, play and retire!

Please contact me for more information's or to request your FREE info pack!

2110 Center Ave

If there is anything else I can help you with please dont hesitate to let me know!

Your North Carolina Broker
Sonja Babic
252-617-0861
www.SonjaBabic.com

"Rivershore" Waterfront Land Sale

Grand Opening Details

- Complimentary Hotel Room, $5,000 Discount, and Early Appointment for Priority Reservation Holders.
- Personal One on One Attention
- Delicious Southern Cuisine Will Be Catered
- No Pressure
This will be the first time anyone will have the opportunity to take a tour of RiverShore. This unique property has never been offered to the public and prices will never be this low again. Contacting me today to attend the Grand Opening on June 28th! Anticipation is high, and properties are expected to move quickly at RiverShore.




Your North Carolina Broker
Sonja Babic
252-617-0861
http://www.sonjababic.com/
Sonja Babic with Prudential Clear Water Realty is your New Bern and North Carolina Real Estate Broker! Looking for waterfront, historic or golf? We have it all! Conveniently located and with so much to offer New Bern is a great place to work, play and retire! Please contact me for more information's or to request your FREE info pack!