Gray’s old Musicana finds an artistic re-use « The Outer Banks Voice

Gray’s old Musicana finds an artistic re-use « The Outer Banks Voice

Village Realty OBXwww.VillageRealtyOBX.com

Village Realty celebrates “Hometown Hero Award” winner, Shirley Brooks-Jones (Dublin, OH)

Friday, December 2, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Outer Banks, NC – Shirley Brooks-Jones of Dublin, Ohio is the recipient of the 2009 Hometown Hero Award based on a winning essay submitted by her nephew, Tim Byrd.  

The family was gathered for the holidays and once again, the dinner table conversation was centered around the “Lewisporte Area 15 Scholarship Fund” (formerly ‘Flight 15 Scholarship Fund’) which was spearheaded by his Aunt Shirley in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11^th, 2001.  Tim was inspired listening to his Aunt recount her personal story about that most scary of times.  When he saw the request for “Hometown Heroes” on the Village Realty website (www.villagerealtyobx.com) Tim submitted his marvelous story for consideration.  The entire family just spent a week at the Croatan Surf Club in Kill Devil Hills, in two beautiful oceanfront condominiums, honoring Shirley for her generous spirit.

Hometown Hero:  Shirley Brooks-Jones, wearing Medal of Honor of the Order of Newfoundland.

Ten years ago on 9/11, Shirley was on Delta Flight 15 returning from Denmark when the captain announced the plane was having ‘technical difficulty’ and needed to land at the nearest airport, which happened to be a very small terminal in Gander, Newfoundland.  The passengers were unsettled but understanding and relieved when they landed safely.  It was perplexing to see so many other jet airliners grounded and more flying into such a small village airport.  Finally, the pilot conceded with solemn sincerity to his passengers that there really was no technical malfunction, but a national emergency in the United States:  Passenger jet planes had demolished the twin towers in New York, the pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a passenger plane flying over Pennsylvania had reportedly gone down.  Shirley and her 218 fellow passengers on Flight 15 were awestruck.  For 28 ½ hours, afterwards all of the passengers remained on their grounded planes as luggage was checked by security.  The passengers expressed fear and an understandable sense of concern for family and friends in their homeland of America.  The pilot kept them updated as he found out more information but there was no way to determine how long they would have to remain in this little place called Gander, Newfoundland, or even on that plane waiting for word.  Eventually, the passengers were disembarked and shuttled by bus to various inns and bed & breakfasts, and homes of the people of nearby Lewisporte.  There they were met with open arms and generous hospitality of the most friendly and sympathetic village.  Cell phones were shared amongst the people, computers were offered and most of all warmth and welcoming for these people of America, who wanted so desperately to just go home.  

After only spending a few days with the kind people of Lewisporte, Shirley and her fellow passengers eventually bid farewell and boarded their Delta Flight 15 for Atlanta.  Shirley had an epiphany.  How to thank these people for their hospitality?  She would start a scholarship fund for their children!  She quickly raised $15,000 in pledges on the plane for the “Lewisporte Area Flight 15 Scholarship Fund” and after they landed and everyone went their separate ways…Shirley spent the next ten years traveling back and forth to Gander, presenting scholarships each year to the children.  To date, the fund has raised over $1.5 million.

(Left to Right) Hometown Hero Family:  Jamie Byrd, Kendra Zarbaugh, Shirley Brooks-Jones, Sydney Byrd, Tim Byrd, Ben Wyatt, Sharon Arata and Cathy Rinehart

Shirley’s nephew Tim and his wife Jamie have been coming to the Outer Banks for family vacations with their children for four years, usually staying in a home on the soundside of the Currituck Club in Corolla through Village Realty.  They were delighted come to Kill Devil Hills this past week after Thanksgiving to enjoy the oceanfront views from the Croatan Surf Club.  The beautiful heated indoor pool was a treasure for all and they said they enjoyed the luxurious kitchen amenities in the condo so much, they didn’t venture out to dinner, except to pick up some delicious peel & eat shrimp to go from “Awful Arthur’s”  twice, to bring home.  They did do some Christmas shopping at the local shoppes and had lunch in Manteo at “Darrell’s Seafood”.  They loved walking on the beach, collecting shells and enjoyed the sunshine and balmy breeze with their balcony doors open to the ocean air.  All in all, it was a magnificent vacation and they will ALL be back again, and again!

For more information on the “Lewisporte Area 15 Scholarship Fund” please visit www.columbusfoundation.org .

Village Realty has been in business for over twenty years and has offices in Corolla, Nags Head and Columbia, North Carolina managing over 600 homes...from luxury condos to golf villas, oceanfront, ocean and soundside cottages.   Ocracoke Island Realty, a sister company, provides professional vacation rental management and sales on neighboring Ocracoke Island.  Village Realty’s growth is due to a business culture focused on exceptional customer service.

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Village Realty Corolla Property Manager, Krista Templeton wins STAR SERVICE HOSPITALITY AWARD at Currituck COC Ceremony

Friday, September 23^rd , 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Corolla, NC – Assistant Property Manager of Village Realty, Krista Templeton recently received the “Star Service Hospitality Award” for exemplary customer service by the Currituck County Department of Travel and Tourism at the annual Currituck Chamber of Commerce Luncheon and Awards Ceremony held Friday, September 16^th  in Barco, NC.

Krista was secretly nominated by co-worker, Bill Koebernick, Property Manager for her exemplary dedication and inspirational contributions of service to the community of Corolla.

“The Outer Banks is a wonderful place to live and work, and it’s a terrific feeling to be among good people doing positive actions, with tremendous results!” 

In addition, Krista accepted, on behalf of Village Realty, the “Star Community Partner Award” presented by Dare CASA (Coalition Against Substance Abuse) for the company’s continued support of the non-profit movement by providing accommodations to various guest speakers and including safety information for responsible actions in their “Welcome Guest Packets” such as suggesting a designated driver, local taxi cab information, etc. provided by Dare CASA.  

Dare CASA is a non-profit/volunteer organization deeply concerned about the impact of substance abuse on our community of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Focusing efforts on education, prevention, and providing information to the public. The Awards Ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 20^th  at the Hilton Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk.

Village Realty has been in business for over twenty years and has offices in Corolla, Nags Head and Columbia managing over 600 homes...from luxury condos to golf villas, oceanfront, ocean and soundside cottages.  Ocracoke Island Realty, a sister company, provides professional vacation rental management and sales on neighboring Ocracoke Island.  Village Realty’s growth is due to a business culture focused on exceptional customer service.

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Village Realty Vice President, Dorothy H. Fuller earns her Certified Property Manager® (CPM®) designation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nags Head, NC – Vice President of Village Realty, Dorothy H. Fuller recently earned her designation as a Certified Property Manager® (CPM®)from the Institute of Real Estate Management recognizing her as an expert in real estate management, at the top of her profession. “70% of those who hold the CPM® designation hold the highest management positions (owner/partner or officer/director) than those without the designation.”

Dorothy H. Fuller, Vice President Village Realty, CPM

“Dorie” Fuller graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in Business Administration in 1981 and moved to the Outer Banks in 1983, working in both mortgage and real estate markets.  She married Webb Fuller, recently retired Town Manager of Nags Head, and they raised three children here at the beach.  In 1992, she accepted a position in property management with Village Realty and was promoted to General Manager of the firm in 1995 which segued into her current position as Vice President.  Dorie enjoys downhill skiing in the wintertime but her passion is running.  She has participated in several half-marathons. 

“The Outer Banks is a wonderful place to live, raise a family and have a career!” 

This designation required completing seven courses with topics ranging from leasing, facility maintenance, financial analysis, management plan skills assessment (MPSA) and a certification exam.  Dorie joins Bob Oakes, President of Village Realty as currently the only two Certified Property Manager® designation holders on the Outer Banks.  

Certified Property Manager's® adhere to a Real Estate Management Code of Professional Ethics pledging honesty, integrity and industriousness beneficial to the general public encouraging fair and equitable practices and competition among all who are engaged in the profession of real estate management.

Village Realty has been in business for over twenty years and has offices in Corolla, Nags Head and Columbia managing nearly 600 homes...from luxury condos to golf villas, oceanfront, ocean and soundside cottages.  Ocracoke Island Realty, a sister company, provides professional vacation rental management and sales on neighboring Ocracoke Island.  Village Realty’s growth is due to a business culture focused on exceptional customer service.

The Institute of Real Estate Management Code of Professional Ethics was established to maintain public confidence in the honesty, integrity, professionalism and the ability of the professional real estate manager. For more information about the Institute of Real Estate Management contact: (800) 837-0706 or visit www.irem.org.

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Village Realty Gives Helping Hand to "Outer Banks Children @ Play Museum"

Located in Kitty Hawk directly along the bypass (3809 N. Croatan Hwy) at milepost 4.5, the Outer Banks Children @ Play Museum is a place where small children (primarily ages 1-6) can learn about local landmarks by playing in a make-believe, hands-on, creative and safe indoor environment. 

The museum hosts donated 'exhibits' that feature many of the Outer Banks area things to do, such as a wooden playhouse with the Hatteras Lighthouse attributes, a fishing boat with magnetic poles and fish in a make-believe Albemarle Sound, an airplane with a view of the Wright Memorial, a fish cleaning station with pretend tools and an 'outdoor' market for imaginative children to sell local produce or sea shells.

Wright Memorial Airplane Exhibit

 

An ideal place to bring the little ones on a rainy day to play and learn about the Outer Banks.  The museum provides activities for parents to interact with their children, such as making jellyfish out of cups and recycled paper as well as detailed descriptions of each exhibit.  Drama and Science workshops are also incorporated in the weekly calendar. 

Alyssa Hannon, Executive Director explains the concept of the "Outer Banks Children @ Play Museum" is based on similar successful concepts throughout North Carolina that offer education through play.  Village Realty is just one of many local sponsors who offer a helping hand by donating funds.

Alyssa Hannon, Executive Director

Outer Banks Children @ Play Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays (10AM-5PM) year-round.
There is a $5.00 per person admission fee (good for an entire day of play)...infants 6 mos. and younger are free.  All children must be accompanied by an adult! 

Village Realty Adult Guests (accompanying one child) only $3 admission fee, simply mention this blog.