Bike Week 2010

Outer Banks Bike Week has become a huge event here on the island. Contrary to some opinions, the bikers who visit us are not loud, rowdy or destructive. They are polite, and are here to just have a good time and share their love of motor cycles.

Lots of Events going on that week including a Run for the Ferry to Ocracoke Island, live music, guided tours, competitions and more.   Good Times.

Locals welcome these guests ... they bring a lot of money into our economy during an otherwise slow time of year. They stay in rental homes and hotels, eat out and buy gifts and groceries.

We are offering $100 off to any biker who rents a home from Village Realty that week of April 7, 2010 and we are also giving them a $30 gift certificate to Lucky 12 Restaurant in Nags Head which is a biker's favorite. Their food is great!

Want more information about this annual event? Click here

Looking for Work?

Do you know someone who is looking for a job?  Village Realty is looking for some quality employees  who are looking for a career, not just a job.  Superior customer service is what we are known for.  We currently have four positions open as we get ready for the 2010 season.

These include: 

• Corolla Housekeeping Asst. Mgr
• Guest Operations Administrative Position (Maintenance)
• Corolla Maintenance Technician
• Maintenance Tech based in Nags Head --but works primarily with the Homeowners Association

Here is a link to all the details and contact information.   Career Opportunities

Good luck!

Off Season Really

We are truly in the real off season time here on the OBX.  One way to judge that is by the traffic ... and when I leave work there is sometimes no other car on the Beach Road for several miles.

No waiting in line to get a table at lunch or dinner. But first you have to find a restaurant that is still open this time of year and honestly, there are quite a few.

A shout out to Kelly's, Awful Arthurs, Lucky 12, La Fogata, Chili Peppers and Jolly Roger. They stay open year 'round and that is appreciated by locals and visitors alike.  These places do too:  Outer Banks Brewing Station, Outback Steakhouse and Beach Road Grill. And we can't leave out Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe and Sugar Creek. 

I am sure there are others and if you are headed this way just ask your reservation agent or front desk clerk for their suggestions.

Did you know that as of January 2, 2010 smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas of restaurants and bars?

Did you know that you can get an Outer Banks Getaway Card online?  A lot of businesses offer special offers and discounts when you mention you have the card. Make sure you tell the reservation agent when you are booking that you have a Getaway Card and ask about any special offers available.  Get the Card

Village Realty offers 10% discount on participating homes (most of them) and a $30 gift certificate to either Kelly's, Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe and Sugar Creek Restaurant.   This time of year, it is still always a good idea to call the restaurant to make sure they are open. 

March 11 starts the 2010 Taste of the Beach here on the Outer Banks.   This is a big event here, with many restaurants participating. Wonderful food, lots of things to do and much fun.   Want to know more? Sure you do. Click Here

OK, that's it for today. It is Monday, enough said.
Until Next Time
Your OBX Bloggers

Another Hometown Hero

Maureen Keho is a Runner Up in the 2009 Hometown Hero Contest sponsored by Village Realty. Nominated by Ken Termini, Maureen wins a free stay at the Croatan Surf Club on the Outer Banks of NC.

Here is what Ken wrote about Maureen:

"My Hometown Hero is Maureen Kehoe. Maureen is Assistant Principal at a New Jersey Middle School. She affects thousands of kids and families in her position every day. But Maureen's influence is not limited to Phillipsburg.

Maureen lives and raised her family in Nazareth, PA. She has a son, Derek, who (like Mom) was incredibly likable and popular. Not only was Derek a nice kid, but he was a HS basketball star and went on to play college basketball. He also had a smile that could light up a room. If you met Derek once, you remember him. But he also remembered you....like his Mom, he always made you feel special.

Derek contracted and died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer just 16 months after graduating from High School. Leomyosarcoma (LMS) is the technical name for this cancer, which affects only 4 out of every million people. Since it is so rare little research was being conducted, and little money was being raised to educate people about this disease - and more importantly, to fund research for a cure.
Enter Maureen. Most of us cannot image the death of a child, or the toll it would take on us. Add to it the rapidity of the disease, and the fact that Derek went from playing summer college basketball to end-stage cancer patient in a matter of months, and you are just beginning to grasp the grief Maureen endured. But instead of sitting back, she quickly formed the "Together for Derek" organization. With the help of many local volunteers, she has organized an annual "Together for Derek" 5K Run, which has averaged about $20,000 per year of revenue, all of which goes to the fight against LMS.

She speaks at events about cancer, even though every event causes her to relive the pain of her loss. She continues to come out to Nazareth Basketball Games....we all believe there is an angel in that gym wearing #12 - Derek's number. Due in part to her efforts, all the local HS coaches began an annual "Coaches vs Cancer" night where the gate is donated to fight cancer, and many schools run supplemental fundraisers to drive the donation levels even higher.

Maureen is a remarkable woman who has endured more grief than anyone should have to bear. But she has turned this horrible tragedy into a positive....while others would have disappeared into an isolated life of grief; she has flourished as a beacon of hope and a pillar of strength for the entire Nazareth Community.
As a final note, Maureen, Derek, and their extended family enjoyed annual summer trips to OBX. This hero deserves the chance to take her extended family on another OBX vacation. I hope you agree..."

We hope Maureen comes to the Outer Banks and relaxes and enjoys the hot tubs, indoor pool, luxury accommodations and our wonderful restaurants.   Thanks to Ken for nominating her and to Maureen for all she does for others.

Hometown Hero Finalist

Another Hometown Hero Nominee

Beth Luby nominated Fran for the Village Realty Homtown Hero Award. Fran was chosen as a runner up. Both she and Beth will receive gift certificates for a free  two night stay in a Village Realty property sometime during the off season.

Here is Beth's entry:

"I would like to nominate Fran R; President of CCAP Operations located in Winchester, Virginia. In our community when you use the term “Angel” or even “Saint”, there is one person who always comes to mind and that is Fran. Fran devotes her unconditional love, time and unselfishness to our community to assist anyone who is need of help. Fran some how manages to find time to devote herself supporting other local groups in Winchester. 

Most the community does not know that Fran battles with personal health issues and large medical bills, but no matter what no one would know that because Fran never asks anyone for help or ever complains period. She struggles to put in long hours and even though she may be totally exhausted she pushed on for those less fortunate then herself. She makes sure that families have a Christmas or any Holiday for that matter. That there is food on the table and some gifts for the family. The community comes together with Fran’s excellent commitment to ask local businesses for their assistance if they are able. It does not matter if the companies donate their time, love or charitable contribution, she gets the job done. I have witnessed the smiles on children’s faces when they got a bike under the Christmas tree and the parents were able to put a beautiful dinner on the table and share in a meal together. Fran gives people “hope”. In watching these unselfish acts, I have seen parents cry as well as children, and volunteers sobbing and hugging to reassure them things are going to get better.

Fran had to give up her home where she lived for many, many years. She moved into a townhouse with about 5 other people to make ends meet. But no matter what Fran never complained about her situation to anyone. Her heart is always compassionate about what she can do for others, and never ever “what about me?”

After reading the attached articles you will indeed agree that no one is more deserving of such an honor.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

E. Luby"

More about C-CAP
CCAP's motivation is a strong desire to do God's work in a world filled with very human needs.


It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is funded by area churches / synagogue, businesses, civic groups, bequests, and private individuals. They receive no funding from local, state or federal government agencies and are not funded by the United Way.

As an all-volunteer organization, absolutely no paid staff,  they are able to put 97% of every dollar donated right back into the community. The remaining 3% is used for postage, insurance, office administration and telephone expense.

Hometown Hero Runner Up

Our Hometown Hero Contest has ended and we announced the Grand Prize Winner yesterday.

However, there were many great nominations and we wanted to share some of their stories.

The first runner up was nominated by Janice Cline ; her entry is below.

"My hero is my son, William Cline. 

I've been a single mother since he was 4 years old. Times were tough, I worked 2 jobs most of the time to pay the bills and keep food on the table. Bill was always happy to see me when I got home, never rebellious, never acted out because of my working kong hours or his parents' divorce. As he was growing up, he helped me with chores, he always wanted to help.

By the time he was 14, he wanted a job. He said he needed a job to help me so I wouldn't have to spend money on him, he could buy his own things. So, he got a job at the local restaurant washing dishes. He worked as much as the law would allow him to at that age. Even though I felt guilty (extreme guilt) that my 14 yr old son was working, I was also bursting with pride that he cared so much, was mature enough to want to help and contribute.

He has maintained a job ever since. When he was 17, he started working for the local grocery store after school and weekends. He worked full time after high school graduation while attending college full time.

He completed 2 years of Police Science/Criminal Justice. He then obtained a full time job with the county Sheriff's Department. At the age of 20, my baby was carrying a gun to his job. Scared yes, but again, I was bursting with pride. He graduated from the Sheriff's Academy in May 2008. He continues to work for the Sheriff's Dept.

Bill is also extremely active with the town's fire department. He participates in anything and everything the

fire department does. He's dedicated to his fellow volunteers and to the community. He sells sandwiches

door-to-door to raise money, he'll help serve the spaghetti dinner, he'll clean up the grounds after the

annual car show ...whatever is needed. He's always there to help ...whoever needs it.

Bill's faith in God is amazing. One that I admire greatly and so wish I had. He gave his life to God when he

was 13...stood in front of the church, cried and said he wanted to be a Christian. I don't think his faith has faltered since. I feel inferior around him at times, I often wonder how or why I received such an awesome

and terrific young man as my son. Many days I feel that I don't deserve such a gift as Bill, but I do know

without him my life would have been so different. Because of him, I wanted to be a better person, someone

he would look up to and admire.

Bill has touched so many lives already with his awesome personality, his helpfulness, his charity, his grace,

his love of life, his love for people, his love for God. He saved me from a life of self-destruction.  Because of Bill, I am a better person, Bill is my saving grace. Bill is my hero."

Both Janice and her son will be receiving gift certificates from Village Realty, good for a free two night stay off season.  It is our pleasure to honor these "heroes" and we look forward to our 2010 Hometown Hero Contest.

Unitl Next Time

Your OBX Bloggers

The Winner of the Village Realty Hometown Hero is ...

The winner of the 2009 Hometown Hero Contest sponsored by Village Realty on the Outer Banks is Shirley Brooks-Jones.

Her nephew, R. Timothy Byrd submitted her name and the reason he felt she deserved to win a free week at the beach and be named our Hometown Hero.

“My hometown hero is my Aunt Shirley Brooks-Jones. My Aunt is always giving back in every way she can locally; however there is one story above the others which I respectfully submit. Aunt Shirley was on a plane flying home on September 11, 2001 after the towers fell and with the U.S. airspace closed she was diverted to a small town in New Foundland. Aunt Shirley spent several days in a small community called Lewisporte which is basically a fishing village. Upon leaving Lewisporte to begin her journey home an idea came to her as she was so touched by the community’s willingness to help perfect strangers in such a time of need. She decided to start a scholarship fund for the students of this town. My Aunt took it upon herself to raise $47,000 in pledges on the plane ride home. The scholarship fund is now over a million dollars and is overseen by the Columbus Foundation in Columbus, Ohio.

Aunt Shirley returns to Lewisporte at least twice a year now at her own expense to spend some time with those people who helped her during that time and to distribute scholarships to each and every graduating senior. There are many people who have been affected tragedies but not all make something great of their situation like my Aunt Shirley did and never ask for anything in return. This is why she is my Hometown Hero!”

Read More about the flight and the fund HERE

Both Byrd and his Aunt live in Ohio. Ms. Brooks-Jones did not know that her nephew had nominated her and she was very surprised and happy… especially when she learned that the first prize was a free off season week at a Village Realty home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She was even more excited when she was told that her nephew would also win a free week at the beach.
There were many wonderful and touching entries and it took several days for us to choose the winner. When we called Tim Byrd he was so happy for his aunt and shocked to learn that Village Realty was also giving him a free week at the beach.

Byrd shared that his Aunt has been instrumental in his life and the lives of many, and is a very caring and giving person.

When I spoke with Shirley she told me that NBC was interested in this story and will be featuring it on the next Winter Olympics broadcast.