Lake Life Lake Gaston Fall 2021

lakelife FALL 2021

Lake Gaston

BOATER SAFETY

More important now than ever

TROPHY ROOM

What’s on tap

FOOD REVIEW:

Blue Jay Bistro

Story Properties SALES • INVESTMENTS • RENTALS

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Office Cell: 252-8 -550 Sales & Rentals: 252-586-0888 Email: storyproperties@gmail.com Lake Gaston Real Escapes • Licensed in NC & VA

VISIT US ONLINE • www.storyproperties.com • www.LakeGastonHomesForSale.com 2

LAKELIFE 2021

inside Lakelife Lake Gaston | Vol. 4 | 2021

5 Boater Safety more important now than ever 8 What’s on tap at The Trophy Room 18 The Beauty of the Moon 30 Let your colors show 42 Food Review : Blue Jay Bistro

Lakelife Lake Gaston is published quarterly

by Womack Publishing Company and Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer.

Ad Executive: Heather Abbott ads@lakegastongazette-observer.com 252-213-3520 Graphic Design: Amanda Meadows LakeLife Design: Hope Callahan LakeGastonGazetteObserver

Photographers: Jennifer Harris, Kellen Holtzman, Nancy Clayton Moorefield, and Ivan Richardson Writers: Jennifer Harris and Kellen Holtzman Cover Photo: Ivan Richardson

@lakegastongo

O 378 Lizard Creek Road Littleton, NC 27850 252-586-2700 lakegastongazette-observer.com © 2021 Womack Publishing Co.

lakelifelg

LAKELIFE 2021

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y t e f a s r e t Boa tant now than ever r o p m i e r o m

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t t e a ette er er o fice located on one o a e a ton e t road , ard Cree er oad, t e a o nt o e cle tra fic aro nd t e la e a ne er ar ro y nd e car o er t e ll t at descends to the Lizard Creek Bridge, almost constantly, especially on weekends and holidays. Of course t not l e ale , c ond, a ton oad , or o e ot er etro area t at tran lant t e a l ar t t t e teady tra fic a re nder t at a e a ton a t tl n day , and t t at, ne ta ly co e ore daner on t e ater ort nately or t e la e, t ere no orta e o ol nteer a n to a e t e area a a er lace o e ol nteer , ro fire de art ent and ot er c c ro , lay a ore ortant role t an e er d r n a er od n c ee ender and tor a e oc ed to t e la e to e t er e ca e C ent rely or find a er, o tdoor recreat onal o tlet e ecreat onal oat n tat t c e ort o ed t at oat n atal t e ncrea ed y ercent nat on de ro to la t year e total n er o cra e ncrea ed y a o t t e a e number, 26 percent. oano e ld ood ol nteer re e art ent C e oren o l n atte ted d r n an t ater o erat on e erc e, t not a atter o t ere ll e l e t reaten n nc dent on a e a ton, t en oano e Wildwood had already responded to three water calls by that point in the summer and Longbridge and Churchill ol nteer fire de art ent ad t e r are too LAKELIFE 2021

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e ol nteer e ort n t t l ted to t e local fire de art ent a e a ton Co n ty a orce, led y erry er n , a or ed t rele ly for improved emergency response and communicat on e a e a ton oc at on and a e a ton ater a ety Co nc l, ot c rrently eaded y r an old ort y, or t ro l e t e ol nteer fire departments, the task force and the Coast Guard auxiliary chapter to streamline safety efforts. oater a ety a t e t e e o t e t meeting, with representatives from N.C. Wildlife and r n a e art ent o ldl e e o rce er n a e t ea er l n t en r e ed t e C n t t eet n a o t de art ent ne re cue boat and the latest from his station. oon, t e aton erry r d e e ected to et t long-awaited navigational lights that many in the area el e e o ld e cred ted to or er C C a ran ac a nder , o ear eaded t e e ort to secure the beacons.

Just recently, in late August, two boats collided on t e la e d r n t e n t o r , ca n a or da a e to t e e el t no n ficant n r e to t e boaters.

As Goldsworthy said in the spring, in relation to the l t n ro ect, t all a o t a ety on t e ater Be careful out there.

Top 10 primary contributing factors of boating crashes/incidents: 10. Force of wake 9. Hazardous waters 8. Weather 7. Alcohol use 6. Navigation rules violation 5. Machinery failure 4. Excessive speed 3. Improper lookout 2. Operator inexperience 1. Operator inattention

- Source: “Recreational Boating Statistics 2020”

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What’s on tap at The Trophy Room LAKELIFE 2021

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252-586-8086 LAKELIFE 2021

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ith the exception of the imact C ad la t year on bars, there might not have ever been a better era for beer enthusiasts. And Lake Gaston residents John and Lisa Haggerty are hoping the growth in popularity of craft beers will add to the intrigue of their ne ent re, e ro y oo ar n al a ey ll re larly rotate cra t beer options (12 oz and 16 oz), on tap, but still offer a selection of classic domestics to go along with red and white wine. n a n t ell e ro y oo , which celebrated a soft opening Aug. at t n treet locat on eore e n o fic ally n e led to t e l c, a l ttle lace to an o t, o n said. e ro y oo ar dea re o t o a erty tea o e, c o n and Lisa opened two years ago in Roanoke Rapids before gaining a loyal and ent a t c atrona e e ro y Room, managed by Glen Buckner, is an expansion of sorts, offering more space to mingle, and a wider selection of beer and wine, within a short walking distance of the historic sites of Halifax and other local businesses. nd, o yea t e ar ac dro is literally a big game trophy room of building owner Bob Caudle. o e a er y a e ta enly thought the space was related to local taxidermy. Nope, most of these bags came from overseas, like the red stag ro r ent na ere a Ca e alo and even a giraffe. John recognizes the theme might not suit everybody, but he and Lisa were taken by the distinctiveness of the space, which had previously hosted Big Game Brewing. on, t n , t ll doe t e e a ar , o n a d o Ca dle t t ere o n to e ore t n n ere e ent ally e t lo ed t, a ad e thought it was really unique and should e ared e tar et cl entele or e ro y

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KELLEN HOLTZMAN/Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer

John and Lisa Haggerty, of Haggerty’s Steakhouse in Roanoke Rapids, recently opened The Trophy Room in Halifax.

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Room is similar to that of Hagerty , c doe a e a ar area - that can get quite crowded on certain nights. on o en n , e ro y oo cra t eer o t on ere ly an ace t eattle , e y Canoe ar oro , old oc C der r n a Nort Carolina), and Pernicious Wicked Weed (Asheville). dra t ale ere do n n ficantly la t year eca e o C , accord n to t e re ers Association, but the number of craft breweries continued to , reac n a total o , ercent ro fi e year ago. e cra t eer en at on a ta en o er, o n a d M ller, Budweiser have seen that and t ey re yn t e le t and r t e oy eat t e l ttle oy t al ay a e ot a relationship with both companies at t e re ta rant and ll a e a relationship with both compan e ere e ll tc t o t to ee t re and ne e ll listen to customers like we do at the restaurant and if they request t n , ll do y e t to o l e If your tastes are more like

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Your Lake Gaston Expert

STEPHANIE GAINEY 252-578-3494

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Now doing NC Fishing and Hunting Licenses!

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(252) 586-0330 lkgace@gmail.com Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm

KELLEN HOLTZMAN/Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer

Four domestics and four rotating crafts beers are on tap at The Trophy Room.

o n , a e a M c elo ltra or d t ntead r ay e a ed a or oc o n o en n n t, e ro y oo ne l t ncl ded fi e te not r o, a non blanc, chardonnay, riesling, moscato) and four reds (pinot noir, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, n andel o n tc a e a la o ne e ore d nner at e en e o e ro y oo ll al o eat re cold ood, re ared at a erty , l e c c en alad and pimento cheese sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie trays. or no , e ro y oo o en edne day t ro at rday ro on forward, that could change based on demand. e ll tell, o n a d

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The beauty of the moon 1

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Photos by: Nancy Clayton Moorefield

art Moon t e fi t lar e t o t e moons orbiting planets in our solar system. art only nat ral atell te ly called t e Moon eca e eo le d dn t no ot er moons existed until Galileo Galilei discovered four moons orbiting Jupiter in 1610. eca e o t e oon connect on to ater and the tides, it is said to represent our emotions and our subconscious mind - what e ee on t e r ace o ten doe not re ect what is going on underneath, nor does it reveal its vast depths. e o an odde o t e oon na ed na, t e refi o t e ord l nat c e ord t el co e ro t e at n ord l natc , c or nally re erred to e le y and madness, diseases though to be caused by the moon.

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e ll oon occ r en t e oon directly opposite the sun in its orbit around art r t ally ea n , t at o o t on — between ying and yang, light and dark — makes for a potent time for surrender and a heightened sense of emotionality. As such, full moons are synonymous with closure and endings; of cycles, habits, relationships.

When we talk about moon phases, we refer to the lunar cycle, which runs from new moon to new moon, eight phases of the moon, acro day is a cycle that we all follow, even if inadvertently eca e t trad tionally the basis for our calendar months. Within this cycle, there are eight notable phases, which are: THE NEW MOON e ne oon not le eca e the sun and moon are on the same side of the Earth. At this stage, we are faced by ‘the dark side of the oon THE WAXING MOON e a n oon or a n crescent) is a crescent illuminated on the right side as the sun begins to move from behind the moon. t e re ld n a e a t e oon a re enated and emerged again.

THE FIRST QUARTER At this stage, the whole right side of the moon is illuminated as the sun and moon are side by side.

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THE WAXING GIBBOUS One step away from a full moon, the waxing gibbous leaves a tiny slither of the oon r ace n dar ne oon can be easily seen during the day.

THE FULL MOON With the sun and moon on opposite sides of the earth, the face of the moon is entirely illuminated.

THE WANING GIBBOUS MOON As the sun begins to move once again behind the moon, a dark slither becomes a arent on t e r t de, re ect n t e last quarter moon.

THE THIRD QUARTER e oon ll nated on t e le t back to half-power.

de,

THE WANING MOON t t a cre cent ll nated once ore, t t e oon la t to e ore t reenters the new moon period.

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On The Lake

The Sign You WanT, The agenTS You nEED!

Ra inard 571 442 0 82

Forrest lston 252 5 2 7 4

enneth ail r 804 7 1 87

a ne Pa nter 252 21 1 1

Susan Gordon 252 578 11 5

ania Santos 252 425 822

oug & Marcia err 252 78 2100

enise llen 252 21 25 2

Stephanie Gaine 252 578 4 4

arin err 252 578 84 4

2105 Eaton e Road Littleton, NC

On The Lake

252-586-7257 www.OnLakeGaston.com LAKELIFE 2021

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oto y Nancy Clayton Moorefield LAKELIFE 2021 25

B-3 B-2 B-2 B-2 B-6 A -1 B-5 A -3 B-6 B-4 B-3 A -1 C-6 B-5 A -2 A -6 A -2 A -4 A -1 B-6 B-6 A -2

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A lma Lynch....................................................... 1 A mericamps ..................................................... 2 A nchorage........................................................ 3 A ncor Cove ...................................................... 4 A rcadia............................................................. 5 Baird-Martin ..................................................... 6 Bairds Point...................................................... 7 Barker .............................................................. 8 Beaver Creek ................................................... 9 Beach R idge .................................................. 1 0 Beechwood .................................................... 1 1 Beechwood E states ....................................... 1 2 Bluebird Point .................................................. 3 Blue H eron Park............................................. 1 4 Boyds Mill....................................................... 1 5 Bradley A cres................................................. 1 6 Brandon Grove............................................... 1 7 Braswell ......................................................... 1 8 Breezy A cres.................................................. 1 9 Bridgewater Cove .......................................... 2 0 Buccaneer Point............................................. 2 2 Buckhead....................................................... 2 3

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C-3 B-4 B-3 C-4 A -1 B-5 B-5 B-5 A -6 B-6 A -2 B-5 B-6 B-6 A -1 A -5 A -1 A -3 A -6 C-4 A -5 B-6

Buck S prings.................................................. 2 Buggs Point.................................................... 2 Burwell A cres ................................................. 2 Canaan S hores.............................................. 2 Cannons F erry ............................................... 2 Carolina Pines................................................ 2 Cedar H ill ....................................................... 3 Cedar Point.................................................... 3 Cedar R idge................................................... 3 Cedar R idge................................................... 3 Champion F orest ........................................... 3 Chamelon H eights ......................................... 3 Chestnut H ills ............................................... 3 Clear Water.................................................... 3 Cliffs on the R oanoke..................................... 3 Clyde’s R etreat .............................................. 3 Cold S pring S hores........................................ 4 Colonial E states ............................................. 4 Colony Club ................................................... 4 Cornerstone ................................................... 4 Country Clue S hores...................................... 4 Cover Manor .................................................. 4

4 5

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B-3 B-5 B-6 B-6 B-6 C-4 C-4 B-6 A -6 B-6 B-5 B-4 B-5 B-4 B-5 C-6 B-4 B-4 B-6 B-4 C-5 A -6

Coventry......................................................... 4 Creekside S hore ............................................ 4 Crescent Beach ............................................. 4 Cross Creek ................................................... 4 Cross Cut ....................................................... 5 D eacon’s Point............................................... 5 D eercreek ...................................................... 5 D eer H aven.................................................... 5 D elbridge E states........................................... 5 D ividing Line .................................................. 5 D ogwood Branch ........................................... 5 D orothy E llis E states...................................... 5 D ove Manor .................................................. 5 E agle’s Cove.................................................. 5 E agle Point..................................................... 6 E astern S hores .............................................. 6 E ast F ork Plantation....................................... 6 E aton’s F erry E states..................................... 6 E dwards Beach.............................................. 6 E lams Place ................................................... 6 E llis D evelopment .......................................... 6 E llis E states ................................................... 6

6 7 8 9 0

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A -3 B-5 B-6 B-5 B-4 C-5 B-6 B-6 B-6 B-2 A -1 B-3 A -1 B-2 B-6 B-2 A -4 B-4 B-3 B-5 A -1 B-5

E ugene Clary ................................................. 6 E vergreen ...................................................... 6 F aulcon D ev................................................... 7 F erncliff .......................................................... 7 F ernwood E states .......................................... 7 F orest Cove ................................................... 7 F our S eason .................................................. 7 F ox H ollow ..................................................... 7 F ox Point........................................................ 7 F ox R un ......................................................... 7 F riendly A cres ................................................ 7 Gaston H eights .............................................. 7 Granite H all .................................................... 8 Great Creek Landing...................................... 8 Green Park..................................................... 8 Grover C. Baird E states ................................. 8 H ammack....................................................... 8 H appy V alley .................................................. 8 H arbor Landing .............................................. 8 H arrison ........................................................ 8 H awks N est Point........................................... 8 H eather Glen ................................................. 8

8 9 0 1 2

3 4 5 7

6 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 6

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B-6 A -1 A -6 B-3 A -1 B-2 A -6 B-3 C-5 B-4 B-5 B-4 A -1 B-2 B-6 B-6 C-3 A -6 B-5 B-6 B-4 B-3

H eritage Pointe .............................................. 9 H icks H ill ........................................................ 9 H idden A cres.................................................. 9 H illcrest Point ................................................. 9 H inton Mills .................................................... 9 H olly Grove E states ....................................... 9 H olly H ill S hores............................................. 9 H olly T rail ...................................................... 9 H oot Owl R un ................................................ 9 H unter’s Creek............................................... 9 I ndian R un.................................................... 1 0 Jack’s Landing ............................................. 1 0 Johnson ....................................................... 1 0 Joyceville ..................................................... 1 0 K ing S oloman’s Cove................................... 1 0 K ing’s E states .............................................. 1 0 Lake Gaston E states ................................... 1 0 Lake Gaston E states.................................... 1 0 Lake S hores-N ............................................. 1 0 Lake S hores-S ............................................. 1 0 Lakeside....................................................... 1 1 Lakeview.......................................................1 1

0 1

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B-5 B-2 B-4 B-3 C-6 B-5 B-2 A -5 B-2 B-6 A -6 A -1 B-3 B-3 B-6 C-5 B-4 A -1 B-3 A -1 B-2 A -1

Lakeview E states ( old) .........

Lakewoods...........................

Laura Woods........................

Lazy Point ............................

Lee’s Point ...........................

Little E mporia .......................

Little Ponderosa...................

Lizard Creek.........................

Long Branch S hores ............

Lookout Point.......................

Lost Cove.............................

Lucy M. S haw ......................

Lyons Creek E ast.................

Lyons Creek E states............

Mallard Bay ..........................

Mallard Point........................

Maple Point..........................

Maratuck ..............................

Mariners Cove......................

Martindale ............................

Matthews Manorwoods ........

Merrymount..........................

s ( old) ................................. 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 ores .................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 t......................................... 1 ates.................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 .......................................... 1 woods ................................ 1 .......................................... 1

1 2 1 3 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 0 3 1 3 2 3 3

B-4 C-6 B-3 B-2 B-2 B-6 B-2 B-6 B-6 B-5 B-5 B-4 B-4 B-5 B-4 B-3 B-3 B-5 A -6 B-3 A -6 A -6

Mill Creek Landing ....................................... 1 Mistipines..................................................... 1 Moratuck Manor ........................................... 1 Morristown ................................................... 1 Moseley........................................................ 1 Myrick E states.............................................. 1 N ocarva........................................................ 1 N ollwoods ................................................... 1 N orthampton H eights ................................... 1 N orthern Cove.............................................. 1 N orthern Point.............................................. 1 N orth S hore A cres ( 1 ) .................................. 1 N orth S hore A cres ( 2 ) .................................. 1 Oak Grove.................................................... 1 Oak R idge.................................................... 1 Old Bridge Point........................................... 1 Olde F erry E states ....................................... 1 Osprey Point ................................................ 1 Paradise Point.............................................. 1 Pasture Gate................................................ 1 Pea H ill E states............................................ 1 Pea H ill S hores ............................................ 1

3 4 3 5 3 6 3 7 3 8 3 9 4 0 4 1 4 2 4 3 4 4 4 5 4 6 4 7 4 8 4 9 5 0 5 1 5 2 5 3 5 4 5 5

B-4 B-4 B-3 B-5 B-6 B-6 B-5 A -3 A -3 A -1 B-6 A -6 B-5 B-5 B-3 B-4 A -1 B-5 B-6 B-4 B-3 B-5

Pigeon Path ................................................. 1 Pigeon R oost .............................................. 1 Pine Bluff...................................................... 1 Pine R idge S hores ....................................... 1 Pine V iew ..................................................... 1 Pinewood A cres ........................................... 1 Piney Point................................................... 1 Piney Point................................................... 1 Poplar Creek E states ................................... 1 Portside........................................................ 1 Powell’s Mill Point ........................................ 1 Poythress E states ........................................ 1 Q uail R idge .................................................. 1 R ed Bug....................................................... 1 R iver Bend ................................................... 1 R iver F orest ................................................. 1 R iver R idge .................................................. 1 R iverview ..................................................... 1 R oanoke S hores .......................................... 1 R oanoke R eserve ........................................ 2 R obinson F erry E states ............................... 1 R ochelle Cove.............................................. 1

5 6 5 7 5 8 5 9 6 0 6 1 6 2 6 3 6 4 6 5 6 6 6 7 6 8 6 9 7 0 7 1 7 2 7 3 7 4 3 5 7 5 7 6

A -6 B-4 C-4 B-5 B-5 C-4 B-4 A -3 B-2 B-4 A -6 B-6 B-4 B-6 B-5 B-5 B-5 B-4 C-4 A -2 B-2 B-5

R ock I sland Cove......................................... 1 R oss ............................................................ 1 S almons Point.............................................. 1 S andy S hores .............................................. 1 S andy T race................................................. 1 S ettlers Cove ............................................... 1 S hadowbrook S hores................................... 1 S louan S hores ............................................. 1 S ix on S ix pound........................................... 1 S ongbird V iew.............................................. 1 S outhside S hores......................................... 1 S peckle Cove............................................... 1 S pinnaker Point............................................ 1 S pring Garden E states................................. 1 S pringwood.................................................. 1 S tanleystone E states ................................... 1 S tarboard Point............................................ 1 S illwater ....................................................... 1 S tonehouse A cres........................................ 1 S t. T ammy Landing ...................................... 1 S ummer Place ............................................. 1 S ummerwood............................................... 1

7 7 7 8 7 9 8 0 8 1 8 2 8 3 8 4 8 5 8 6 8 7 8 8 8 9 9 0 9 1 9 2 9 3 9 4 9 5 9 6 9 7 9 8

B-5 S unny A cres................................................. 1 B-5 S unset Point................................................. 2 C-5 T angle Oakes............................................... 2 A -2 T anglewood S hores ..................................... 2 C-5 Thomfield Medlin ......................................... 2 B-2 T hornton Place............................................. 2 B-5 T imber Creek ............................................... 2 B-6 T imberline S hores........................................ 2 B-2 T imbuctu ...................................................... 2 C-5 T riton Point................................................... 2 A -2 T udor E states............................................... 2 B-3 T urkey R un .................................................. 2 B-5 T urtle Point................................................... 2 B-4 T win Oak S hores.......................................... 2 B-5 T wo Creeks .................................................. 2 B-5 Walker H ill.................................................... 2 B-3 Warren Co. A cres......................................... 2 B-6 Waterford ..................................................... 2 B-6 Watermans Point.......................................... 2 B-6 Webbs Gate ................................................. 2 B-3 West Winds.................................................. 2 B-6 Whippoorwill H ills......................................... 2

9 9 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0 8 0 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0

B-4 B-4 C-4 B-5 B-6 B-2 B-4 B-4 B-6 B-6 B-3 B-6 B-6 B-4

Whispering Pines ......................................... 2 Whitby Cove................................................. 2 Whit-Locke Point.......................................... 2 Wildwood Point ............................................ 2 Wilkins Court................................................ 2 Will’s Landing............................................... 2 Wilsor Oak ................................................... 2 Wilsor Pines ................................................. 2 Windy Pointe................................................ 2 Windward S hores......................................... 2 Woodhaven.................................................. 2 Woodlake Point............................................ 2 Woodlanndhurt............................................. 2 Woodland S hores ........................................ 2

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Puppy Lake Life

annah illiamson avis verette share this photo of their pup akle . annah rote spen ing the eeken ith m parents im an Laurie illiamson at Lake Gaston. akle is of of a recent litter from m moms hocolate Lab - aile . e ha enough of to a s shenanigans an calle it a a ith a face plant in the ater bo l. f ou have a picture ou oul like to share of our fur bab en o ing time on Lake Gaston email a high resolution photo to office@lakegastongazette-observer.com.

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Riley Mills is ready to take the art world by storm By Photos by

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n red y t e a e ty o a a e a ton n et, Riley Mills set out to create a painting that would capture the beauty of the lake through his vision, which so often is expressed by the brightest and bolde t ade o color t fir t, one o t e e el ley whisked onto the foreground of the canvas took the a e o a canoe o et n a nt te r t o e shifted gears. e re do n a l oat no , ley told el ley, a year old n econd year at a t Carol na n er ty, y ay o oano e a d , doe n t care for strict guidelines when it comes to his art, or the not on t at t ere a redeter ned at to t e fin ed rod ct conte orary tla er e , o e o c a rod ced t t e to c o ley lo ed hands, includes a beaming and colorful version of a skull, and serves as a good example of that philosophy. ere no r le , ley a d l e rea n t e r le n art can t tand en o e ody ay , o can t do t eca e, t o en ley M ll ay e ant to e t e ne t casso - and yes, he really said that - it might be wise to not doubt him. Already a household name in the Roano e alley, e a een lfill n co on nce e a a re an at oano e a d c ool and art yr ley ll o a clo e to ,

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Lake Gaston was the inspiration for Riley Mills’ bold interpretation of a lake scene.

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Riley Mills painted The Village Market mural for the new downtown Littleton shop. an and ore t an ll on l e a decent tart, e ay ley deter ned to not e t e rototy cal tar n art t when he leaves college. But aspiring to reach the status of lo ally eno ned rt t n t o c a o t er onal recognition or ego for Riley; it really is about the art, and the fierce re ol e to are t t e a e Making an artist ley ot er Me an rren a an C n r e at dant North Hospital and his father Blaine works at the WestRock a er ll t o occ at on efitt n o t e c lt re o oa36

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noke Rapids if ever there were any. o no ere t on ere doe ley talent co e ro e an er a t o a y tery, t ley doe a e o e clues. e een a nt n all y l e, ley a d really a e been. I remember - like my grandma - I used to get her to dra e en t o e not nece ar ly an art t e t ll likes to do crafts and stuff like that - I used to get her to draw d erent an al Riley was fascinated by those sorts of casual sketches

Photos courtesy of TAMMY JEAN Tammy Jean of Creative Designs in Roanoke Rapids enlisted the services of Riley Mills for window art and murals for her store. ro err rren, and too ad anta e o anot er local o tlet n oano e a d C ty c ool art teac er an at on, who hosted painting sessions in her home studio. Counting M at on ann al o , ley or a een on lc display since he was 8. ley fi re e a enerated clo e to co on pieces around Lake Gaston alone in the last several years.

Recently, he painted a mural onto the brick exterior of downto n ttleton e lla e Mar et, c o ened n May e is quite well known for his regular window artwork at Chick-FilA in Roanoke Rapids, and for the 200-plus hearts he painted onto windows around the city to support local businesses and fir t re onder d r n t e on et o C la t year n t, e t t e fin n lac and old to c e o c ool spirit on a mural inside of Roanoke Rapids High, part of a gift to the historic building from his graduating class of 2020. Riley c ly a n a na e or el aro nd C and t at likely to only grow in the next couple of years given his acumen as a muralist and speed painter. a y ean o ened oano e a d Creat e e n n , o er n a ran e o er ce n nter or de n alon t ell n t , clot e , e elry, candle , and ot er acce or e Having known his mother and grandparents, Jean enlisted Riley to a nt er tore ndo and a ral n de to co leent ne dre n roo n t e ac e e en a e t e

key to the business so he could paint on his own time. anted o et n t at co ld t cont n ally carry t ro and not er e, a e a ean n , ean a d t t o et n t at o ld e r t and c eer l and retty all t e t e ean ot t at n t e or o la e o oral color e e re ed a t o t ley a en to are at e yo color etter t an o er ‘Loyal and bold’ ley doe a e a a or te color t reen ec fically, o the lime-ish variety; a leafy green. Ever the artist and perhaps the diplomat, Riley is quick, however, not to show favoritism en t co e to art en t o really l e reen, ley a d, really lo e all o t e ot er color eca e a nt t them. ay t at a e a a or te color, t don t o t at a e a a or te color First, understand that Riley prefers a style he refers to as a tract real e doe n t ancy a nt n eo le a c a ta n c e ro nat re or ot er o ect a nt n a le ct re at or n or Riley cites an example of his painting that depicts a blue heron diving to the surface of the water on a vast canvas. ta n t e t t at already real, l e a rd, and adding hot pinks and doing a blue for the tail and feathers and LAKELIFE 2021

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Riley Mills is only 19 but the East Carolina University student from Roanoke Rapids has quickly become one of the better-known artists in the Roanoke Valley. His Tik Tok account has more than 44,000 followers.

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l e t at, ley a d t t at not n t e ct re , o t c allen e e entally lo e color o et n t at d erent e l e eron a nt n a t o co an on ece eant to ca t re a n le cene n red y a tr to Central and o t lor da a a a nder ater n one and an all ator n t e ot er e color alette t e e lar to a e arate rod ct on o n oy a t e eat red attract on t t e e aren t tandard red and te oy ere are note o l e reen, ary n l e , la a red, purple, and teal. at color o ort t de end on ley ood e o nt to a ortra t e made of a bald eagle with a waving American Flag as the backdrop, in more traditional, patriotic colors. y d d e do t don t no , ley a d t anted to a e o et n rea n a e o e Legacy As a photography class at ECU commenced, students were asked to provide an introduction of themselves to their peers, including their name and where t ey ere ro o e ca e ro etro area or M d tlant c tate en t a ley t rn, e told t e , ro oano e a d , Nort Carol na No ody el e ad an accent l e t at, ley a d t tr e e a tern Nort Carolina on his tongue cannot be concealed. t t at art o o , on o la ne and Me an, orn n reen lle, t raised in Halifax County. on t or et , a y ean once told ley a d, ne day yo re o n to e o e ody o re already do n reat t one day, yo re o n to e do n t n nd don t yo or et l ttle ol ere n oano e a d e a e talent e on lace or re eca e e at re e no o to tal to eo le and e ot a reat ead on o lder e ot a reat t re can t a t to ee ere e on t e eryt n What might set Riley apart from others his age is his drive to succeed. He tc ed a or at C ro art to ne t a concentrat on n arketing. Riley knew how to paint; He wanted to learn the tools to dominate the industry one day. at y e l ten to a d o oo le e a nt t t tle l e Cr n t y ary aynerc and n and ro r c y Na oleon ll lo e to learn, ley a d t n e ery ody lo e to learn t t t at e e been forced to learn the wrong topics and a lot of people have been shut out ro t at Riley knows some of his aspirations are as bold as the colors he uses to paint, but he is keenly self aware and recognizes success takes dedication and time. e ant t e ord art and na e to e ynony o en eo le t n o art, t ey ll t n ley e r ary oal, a o e ot er , to del er an e er ence ant eo le to no y art, ley a d t n can ro e o e ody el e l e y o n t e y art t ore o ar n y en oy ent o art t the world. eca e lo e t

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Food Review

Blue Jay Bistro By

NN

Editor’s Note: This review originally ran in the September 1 edition of the Lake Gaston GazetteObserver.

I threw caution to the wind last weekend and did something I never do. I dined at a new restaurant on opening weekend. After spending 13 years in the o tal ty nd try n y fir t career, ne etter on t do t told y el et t e or o t t e n fir t o yo on t e d a o nted a n an eye ro , ondered to y el o ld do t any ay e e , o ld, eca e a ter all o t e r oc al media posts, teasing us for months with accolades a o t C e le le n a rad ate o e Culinary Institute of America — pictures of the gor-

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geous interior and beautifully plated food, reading t at r tate Ma a ne called t t nn n ly dened, a e to o d d d ned at a ne re ta rant l e ay Bistro in Littleton — on opening weekend, and I set my expectations for what I felt were appropriate. And ere to tell yo t at y e ectat on co ldn t have been more wrong, because the experience was to notc ro tart to fin and not at a e een at other opening weekends. not o n to e a ay all t e ood e l e Jay Bistro has in store when you go — there are too many to name, and even I look forward to discovern ore o ll to c on o e l t o a eal shared by three people Friday night.

It all started with great service, from beginning to

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Apple Butter Old Fashioned end. Everyone was friendly and engaging, servers and managers stopped by our table to check in often, and if ta d dn t no an er to o r e t on , t ey o nd out and got back to us. r er er a yler, o a ll o er onal ty, menu suggestions, and had a great smile. But more about him later. e elect on e ade ro t e dr n en , c features signature cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass or bottle, included a Blueberry Gin Fizz — an ele ant coc ta l ade ro ea o er n ed n, l eerry yr , le on ce, and oa ed e te on to — and an Apple Butter Old Fashioned — made with rye o r on, tter , ddled oran e, local a le a and a beautiful garnish. e n fi , a layered coc ta l t ea er l d t e syrup) on the bottom, lighter (the gin) on the top, was to e rled to e ore dr n n o re l e err e were on the bottom.

Both drinks were delicious, and I preferred the Old a oned e en t o o r on n t ally y re erence.

Being able to watch the bartenders work their magic from across the room was a real treat throughout the evening, as it left no doubt that the mixed drinks were truly craft cocktails, with house-made syrups and puree e n o red ro ottle and t t to ar not er coc ta l ordered later a t e artender choice. We forgot to ask what it was, but it was creamy

Blueberry Gin Fizz

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Hams and Jams: assorted cured and smoked eat da ly read tr e oney ea onal a LAKELIFE 2021

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and delicious and clearly included a homemade peach ree, t t ny t o re eac fi er n t or a et er , or at t e en call area le , we ordered three of the four selections: Hams and a ,t e tro ta e on c arc ter e ld Catter y ter and l e ay Ne t ate er d t on Hams and Jams includes assorted cured and o ed eat , tard, da ly read, tr e oney, and ea onal a no r t t e read a t ree lar e co ntry tyle c t , and t e ea onal a a ade from gooseberries, which come in various colors and are a ood o rce o ta n C re , reen oo e-err e c t e tro y ro a ar er n rham — garnished the wooden platter and were fun to eat, mostly sweet and a few tart.

Our party felt the large biscuits may not have been the best accompaniment for traditional charcuterie meats, and t at a aller, le o t ern read c o ce o ld have been better, especially for a shareable. Or if bis-cuits are the thing, make them smaller and sub out the prosciutto for some thinly sliced country ham.

For the oyster lovers out there, or even those who t l e t e , defin tely order t e r ed ld Catter Oysters, which are served on the half shell with a slice o ar nated a y tr lo n, a a ce, and e er a ol to a area le late, and yo re not o n to ant to are, t do t any ay eca e e re t ett n tarted r t e, yo don t ant to de ert e tro nat re l e ay Ne t a late o ea o er de led e ye , t e a e ea o er color n t at n ed t e n fi , t la acon arn on top, toasted rye crumb, potato nests, and petite salad co r ed o cro reen e e aren t yo r nday co ered d de led e , ol e fil n crea y and tard a ed, o deal or t o e o aren t nto ayonna e t e nto t e rye cr or a l ttle crunch, and you have a great one-bite app. or o r entree , e ne n ad ance e d e a n le to er t e ollo n day, t t at alr t ere a t too c e anted to try, o e ordered, ro all late alad , t e ee artar, and ro o e ntree , t e a y tr , c ca e t aligot, roasted broccoli, fried rosemary, and espresso butter, and Pork Chop, brined in sweet tea and accom-panied by warm marble potato salad. e a or l ee artar a de cr ed y ta a en t e c e lay l nter retat on o a c a n re ta rant a o r er, t t ec al a ce, ea shoots, aged cheddar powder, dill pickles, crispy onion r n , and r ed e a e alt ne e crac er ere t e favorite part of the dish for everyone at the table. e a y tr , at , t e o t e en e entree on the menu and is priced well below where it

Wagyu Strip: pommes aligot, roasted broccoli, fried rosemary, espresso butter

l e ay Ne t ate er d t on ea o er deviled eggs, slab bacon, toasted rye crumb, potato nests, petite salad LAKELIFE 2021

ad Ca e o rle c ocolate cake, pecan praline, chocolate coconut mousse, coconut snow

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Pork Chop: sweet tea brined pork chop, apple barbecue sauce, warm marble potato salad o ld e or at ar a ly t e e t tea on t e lanet l e ay tro coo ed perfectly medium-rare as requested — did not disappoint. Neither did the cheesy creamed otatoe er ed t t e e late a arn ed t r ed ro e ary, a old c o ce given that you either love it or you hate it. I happen to love it, but a little goes a long way, and o nd t e aro a to e o er o er n order t e tea a a n, ll re e t t at t e rosemary be omitted. e tar o t e a ory d e or a t e one n or c o Not only a t a er n a le eno or t o o a t e tea , t e ea on n and coo ere ot on o nt e ar fin erl n otato alad a re n cent o a tard a ed er an otato alad, and al dente reen ean ere er ed a anot er de e ent re late a dr led t an apple barbecue sauce that perfectly paired with the dish. o fin o r eal e ordered t ree o t e o r de ert , and let e t ay t order n de ert fir t ne t t e ey, don t d e ad Ca e, de cr ed a a o rle c ocolate ca e, ecan ral ne, c ocolate cocon t o e, cocon t no oly c oly No ord ce t t at r or to t , t e e t de ert d e er ad a at dda an n N C No dd n at one a a c ocolate o et n t a e cara el dot , o ay eeee don t no t l terally e en te en norally don t order de ert e ce t at er n ce re ta rant ere t e re entat on lo yo r oc or eel o , and e ad y are o o rle c ocolate ca e eca e, ell, l ten an e Mo t o rle ca e are o den e yo al o t need a n e to c t t e , but not this one at Blue Jay Bistro. It was topped with a light mousse and beautiful sugar or , ad ro en cocon t no on t e de and ecan ral ne or arn t a ta work of art, as were our other desserts. e econd c ocolate de ert e ordered a t e a on n et, l ted y a ry ece o c ocolate atea on e ca e, lace coo e , conden ed l c tard, a ley anac e and e re o a ordered y o eone o doe n t a e c o a eet toot and o nt a e an o c ocolate, nor o e re o e co ldn t to tal n a o t t, or t e act t at e co ld eat t e ed le o er arn a e to ad t, d dn t LAKELIFE 2021 1

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taste a lot of this dessert because, ell, ne t dd e t a l ttle try, it was crazy good, and the plate showed evidence of a little molecular gastronomy happening back in the kitchen with some dessert caviar — the espresso, perhaps — on the plate. e final de ert, e e t Lemons, was one of the best citrus de ert e ad, con t n o le on drop sorbet, toasted marshmallo , ro n tter cr , le on c rd, and le on er ena e late was beautifully presented, and the dessert itself was bright and ideally suited for the dog days of summer.

While we were dining, we noticed ot er lly en oy n t e r e er ence at Blue Jay Bistro, chatting t t e re ta rant ta , ta n photographs of the glorious space (and plates), smiling and laughing, and speaking to each other — friends and neighbors — about how wonderful it is to have such a great restaurant so close to home. co ldn t a ree ore and loo forward to returning often (reservations required), especially to see what new offerings will be on the menu as seasonal changes are made. o a e a re er at on at l e ay tro, t l e ay tro co or o enta le co e re ta rant, at Ma n t , ttleton, o en edne day r day, and r day at rday yo re l c y eno to a e yler as your waiter, be sure to write a little note on your dinner check as yo re lea n t en nely a e him smile.

e e t e on le on dro or et ar allo brown butter crumb, lemon curd, lemon verbena

a on den ed

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n et c ocolate atea on e, lace coo e , conl c tard, a ley anac e, e re o

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