IF youve got a growing family and youre looking to upsize so everyone has the space they need, our latest Property of the Week could be just the thing.

The semi-detached property on Melbourne Avenue in Mountblow is on the doorstep of Clydebank town centre.

Offers are being sought in excess of 165,000 with the successful buyer taking ownership of a beautifully presented contemporary three bedroom property within a popular residential area.

Offered in a truly walk-in condition, this delightful house will make an excellent family home and warrants earlier inspection.

The accommodation is formed over two levels and comprises an entrance hall with double doors opening to a spacious lounge with a front facing window.

The lounge

The kitchen is accessed off the lounge and is fitted with a range of both wall and floor mounted units with tiled splash back and a built-in gas hob, electric oven and extractor hood.

In addition, there is plumbing for a washing machine and dishwasher. A door leads to the sunroom which has glazing to all sides and affords excellent views towards the Kilpatrick Hills.

The bathroom is located on the lower level and is fitted with a four-piece white suite comprising a WC, wash hand basin, bath and shower cubical.

The upper level has three spacious double bedrooms which are all fitted with wardrobes and a gorgeous crushed velvet grey carpet and have extra room for free-standing furniture.

Further enhancements to the property include gas central heating and double glazing.

Externally there are garden grounds to both the front and rear. The front has an area of lawn.

The rear has most part laid to lawn with an area of decking, a garden shed and a mix of shrubs.

Nearby schools include Clydemuir Primary, Kilpatrick School and Dalmuir Secondary.

Frequent train connections from both Clydebank and Dalmuir railway stations mean Glasgow city centre is less than 20 minutes away.

More information can be found at here

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Property of the Week: Renovated three-bed terrace has plenty to offer a family - Clydebank Post

Fancy a place in the country? If you have horses and a yearning to live in the Nottinghamshire countryside, Manor Farm is a dream.

With what the selling agent calls "show home" presentation, this property has it all; around 5,000 sq ft of living accommodation, a converted annexe, extensive gardens and grounds of approximately 12 acres, a menage... the list is seemingly endless.

Ian Marriott, joint head of residential sales at Savills in Nottingham, said: I love the peace, quiet and tranquillity of this wonderful period family home."

Having undergone a well-considered restoration in recent years, the owners have been careful to retain some stunning features. There are exposed beams and timbers, flagstone floors, feature fireplaces, and that's in addition to the modern influences that grace rooms such as the bathrooms.

Inside this fabulous Georgian country house are six-bedrooms, three bathrooms, three reception rooms, plus a kitchen/breakfast room, a sunroom and a cellar.

Adding another dimension to the property is a recently converted annexe. The two-storey building provides a further sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and garage, and the agent says that it would be ideal for a relative, live-in nanny or could provide Airbnb potential.

Ian Marriott added: "Manor Farm is a truly stunning country house in a fantastic rural setting of approximately 12 acres. Over the last 12 months, we have seen a real shift in lifestyle change, with buyers seeking more space and an attraction to rural living, and this property ticks those boxes.

"It also benefits from its setting in Thorpe, which is a well-regarded Nottinghamshire hamlet and conveniently located between Nottingham and Newark with easy access for commuters.

The parkland setting includes a Heritage style detached oak barn providing garaging, there is a formal walled garden, menage and paddocks, a large spring-fed wildlife pond and a dedicated children's play area.

The house, together with its annexe and land, has a guide price of 1,480,000.

Read more:
Magnificent Notts house with 12 acres of countryside goes up for sale - Nottinghamshire Live

THE most expensive home in the Weymouth area features a tennis court, gym and a lake and it could be yours for 2,250,000.

Eastbrook House, a Grade II listed mid-19th century Italianate villa, is based in the scenic suburb of Upwey.

The eight-bedroom features landscaped formal gardens of approximately 1.8 acres with further land of approximately 4.44 acres arranged around a natural lake.

Property agents, Domvs, say Eastbrook House sits in a tranquil setting on the southern edge of the village and the extensive grounds give excellent privacy.

Entering the property, the entrance hall has a sweeping staircase to the upper floors and gives access to the principal rooms.

The drawing room faces south and west and features a moulded stone fireplace and French doors lead to the southerly garden area.

The sitting room also has a stone fireplace, with open windows which look out onto the garden. On the opposite side of the hall is the dining room and hatch to the kitchen/breakfast room.

Its kitchen/breakfast room has been modernised, with appliances including a dishwasher, two ovens, five ring gas hob and fridge. This room also features an adjacent pantry, which has room for multiple white goods, in addition to wall and base units and additional worktop.

The eight-bedroom property also features a sun-room overlooking the courtyard, an extensive games room, gym, office with a shower and steam room. There is also an integral garage which can house two vehicles together with considerable storage.

On its first floor, there are six bedrooms and three bathrooms. Its master bedroom has an attractive vista over the gardens as well as a discreet dressing room with well-equipped with storage, and the capacious en-suite bathroom provides twin basins, shower cubicle, bath, WC, bidet and heated towel rail.

The remaining two bedrooms are based on the second floor and are also quite spacious.

A cloakroom sits opposite the staircase to the second floor - traditionally the servants quarters and now providing two double bedrooms. The property has a large basement which has access to a number of cold rooms.

A description of the property reads: The overall plot is approximately 6.24 acres and creates an entirely engaging setting with the house being centrally located within the landscaped gardens which have been carefully designed to create individual areas of interest and include a discreet courtyard area immediately outside the gym/games room, a walled garden to the rear which is divided into three.

One with a recently resurfaced tennis court, the other being an extremely well-stocked kitchen garden, and the last, formal garden, having been beautifully landscaped providing seating areas enjoying views of the two water features.

Ornamental gates from the formal garden lead to the remaining area of land, representing approximately four acres, which has been purposefully designed to encourage wildlife with the creation of a lake, and planting of a copse, and woodland.

There are two additional accesses to this area on the south and west boundaries. Included with the property are two detached properties.

According to Domvs, two other detached cottages are available by separate negotiation if required.

For more information, visit the brochure through this link or call 01305 575048.

Go here to read the rest:
Inside the most expensive Weymouth property for sale - and it has its own lake - Dorset Echo

Fabulous, well-maintained, 4-Level Split on a big double-lot featuring updates & upgrades galore! Everything's been done, just move in! Updates include light & bright Country Kitchen w/all newer appliances, Euro-white cabinetry, easy-care laminate flooring, bonus work station w/more storage cabinets, and the Pantry cupboard is negotiable; freshly painted neutral interior, new plush carpeting, TWO updated Full Baths, and Comfort Windows - the list goes on & on * Cozy up in front of the Gas Fireplace in the spacious Living Room (TV does not convey) * Mid-Level Office, Playroom, and heated Studio (converted garage) w/separate entrance * Lower Level boasts a Workshop, Laundry Room, SU-themed Rec Room w/built-in Bar, and Full Bath * New sump pump and the dehumidifier stays * Landscaping includes a Koi Pond, Pear Tree, and a big beautiful shade tree * Kick back on the side yard Party Deck w/ it's negotiable Firepit * Handy Garden Shed * Baldwinsville Schools * NO Village Tax * Minutes to B'ville Village, schools, restaurants & shops, and major highways * THIS HOUSE IS NOT FOR RENT - DISREGARD ANY INTERNET POST OFFERING THAT OPTION!

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Excerpt from:
Affordable Starter Homes in the Auburn Area | Home & Garden | auburnpub.com - Auburn Citizen

Keighley-born Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson renovated his listed seaside home without planning permission, it has emerged.

The singer bought historic Stratton House as a home to "retire in" but tried to sell it last year for 1.5m after his career took off again.

The home - built in 1797 - remains on the market and boasts includes five bedrooms, a wealth of entertaining rooms and incredible views.

But it has now emerged Ricky spent two years and 500,000 making changes to it, some of which were completed without proper planning consent from Cornwall Council.

He has now submitted a retrospective application for the house in Falmouth, Cornwall, for 'variations to refurbishment and alteration works'

This includes work already undertaken to create an open plan kitchen and dining room, pave driveways and create a "snug area."

He also needs retrospective permission for a number of other works including new driveway gates, secret shelving to the library and paving works outside.

The application from CAD Architects Limited, states that while Ricky got permission for some works - others were started without consent.

A report stated the unapproved works began on September 26, 2013, and were completed on September, 26, 2015.

CAD Architects Ltd said it prepared applications for planning permission and listed building consent for various repair and alteration works to the house in 2012 which were approved the following year.

A spokesperson added: The full extent of the approved works was not implemented, and some minor variations were made to some details of the permitted works as they were completed.

"Some works were also completed prior to their relevant planning conditions being discharged.

"The completed works have protected Stratton House for the medium term by attending to necessary repairs and securing uses for redundant areas of the building (principally the basement) to prevent them falling into decay.

"These works were completed alongside an extensive high-quality refurbishment which, due to the sympathetic approaches of the applicant and owner, retained far more historic fabric than was originally expected.

"Overall the completed works, including the relatively few but high-impact alterations, have greatly enhanced the atmosphere and functionality of the house and its private garden areas, increasing the enjoyment of the property for its current and future owners with the crucial benefit of incentivising proactive future maintenance for the long term safeguarding of the asset."

A design and access statement attached to the application said: "The principal variations and additions to the works approved under Listed Building Consent (LBC) for which retrospective LBC is now sought are: alteration and enhancement of former kitchen extension to form Snug area in lieu of previously approved replacement extension."

The report added that retrospective permission was also sought for "works to the former dining room/kitchen chimney breast to create open plan layout; hard landscaping works (paving) to yard, basement buttresses and driveway; railing details to external basement stair; secret shelving door to library; replacement basement floor slab; new driveway gates."

The application will be considered by Cornwall Council by Monday, April 12.

Ricky, 42, said he had planned to 'retire' here but put the house up for sale through estate agency Lillicrap Chilcott after his music career re-booted.

It is understood to still be on the market.

Speaking previously about the home, Ricky said: The general consensus is that you should only be a pop star for four or five years. I had outlived my time.

"I was ready for a quiet life in Falmouth. Then I got my second wind and my career took off again."

Ricky said that he had barely spent any time at Stratton House, which he bought in 2012, because he is now so busy with music - so decided to sell.

He fell in love with the town when he holidayed with a former girlfriend in 2010, and has called the seaside town his temporary home for the past seven years.

He added: We found a last-minute cottage in Falmouth. I walked into town to buy some bread and milk, and I had this intense feeling that I could live here. I instantly felt comfortable.

In the winter, I like to close the shutter, put the fire on and listen to the ocean battering the house.

"I bought a telescope so I could look out to sea and feel dramatic, romantic and wistful, but it doesnt work.

The singer, whose hits include Ruby, Never Miss A Beat and Oh My God, used Stratton House when he was not at his North London home.

Among the works Ricky carried out was to lower the entire floor of the basement to create a two-bedroom garden flat and his proudest achievement was creating a secret door which opens up on to a sun room.

The house is decorated in William Morris-style floral wallpaper and is dotted throughout with antiques, family heirlooms, Persian rugs and Kaiser Chiefs memorabilia.

The rest is here:
Keighley-born Kaiser Chiefs star renovated listed home without planning permission - Bradford Telegraph and Argus

Real EstatePublished: Wednesday, 20 January 2021 23:02 Sophia Albert

A flurry of home sales continued into January, boding well for the market in the coming year. See what sold below:

Sales17 Eton RoadA private resort like residence on 1.26 acres with a pool and tennis court. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the luxury and style of the Hamptons in the Scarsdale School District. Enjoy soaring ceilings and walls of windows overlooking the beautiful grounds and tree lined street in this loft style contemporary colonial. The Gourmet Eat in Kitchen was just renovated with custom cabinetry, new appliances and radiant heat floors. It opens right into a new family room. There is a mudroom off the 3 car garage and updated powder room (both with heated floors) as well as a first floor home office. Incredible gym on the third floor that overlooks the pristine property. The walkout lower level has a game room, cabana area with kitchen, changing rooms, and full bath.Sale Price: $3,177,500Assessed Value: $3,075,462Real Estate Taxes: $71,942

14 Elm RoadCharming and completely renovated colonial on a quiet cul de sac location in Greenacres. This sunny and bright 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom turnkey home has been completely renovated including a kitchen/family room addition, new bathrooms, first floor laundry, finished third floor, new windows and doors and more. The gorgeous chef's kitchen showcases custom cherry cabinetry, radiant floors, a generous pantry and beautiful granite island with all high-end appliances including Subzero refrigerator, Viking range, Miele double wall ovens and Miele dishwasher. The second floor includes a master bedroom and ensuite bath with a dual vanity and Aquatic jacuzzi tub, three similarly generous sized bedrooms and a new hall bathroom. The beautifully renovated bathrooms feature radiant floor heat and fixtures from Toto, Kohler, and Waterworks. The light filled third floor space includes a full bathroom and can be used as a playroom, office and more! Professionally landscaped yard is ideal for outdoor entertaining and play.Sale Price: $1,395,000Assessed Value: $950,000Real Estate Taxes: $23,746

34 Bradford RoadLocated on one of the finest streets in Quaker Ridge, this enchanting colonial gem is a very special find. Featuring a sun-filled living room with oversized wood burning fireplace, formal dining room opening onto extraordinary sunroom/family room overlooking magnificent level property, huge kitchen with oversized island and granite counters opening onto a windowed breakfast room with soaring ceilings and arched window. Elegant wood paneled library with built-in shelving and fireplace that would be an ideal home office. Master bedroom with en-suite bath, two large family bedrooms with hall bath, and a fourth bedroom with en-suite bath.Sale Price: $1,200,000Assessed Value: $1,500,000Real Estate Taxes: $37,706

1251 Post RoadThis wonderfully charming and authentic craftsman Colonial with wraparound rocking chair porch is a vibrant, renovated and expanded home with an open, flowing floor plan. The renovations include a new gourmet kitchen with granite counters and ss appliances which opens to a large family room anchored by a stone fireplace and custom built entertainment center. The significant dining room is perfect for hosting. The intimate living room is perfect for relaxing. Upstairs boasts an en-suite master with custom built-ins and luxurious spa bath inviting total tranquility, and two more generous bedrooms and new marble bath. Many updates and improvements are freshly painted, many new appliances, new landscaping, new wall-to-wall carpet, custom blinds, new lower level configuration of 831 finished square feet, select hardwood flooring, new lighting, outfitted closets, and new commercial hot water heater.Sale Price: $1,092,510Assessed Value: $725,000Real Estate Taxes: $18,011

11 Hamilton RoadDelightful bright center hall colonial in Scarsdale school district close to the village, schools and transportation. Gracious living room with 9' ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace adjoining a sunny family room. The formal dining room has French doors, and a gorgeous kitchen features granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and recessed lighting. New hall full bath has a tiled shower. The second floor offers a spacious master bedroom with two closets and an adjoining large office. Two comfortable bedrooms with closets and tiled hall bath. The full walk-up attic offers expansion potential. Hardwood floors throughout. Generator hook-up. Includes private rear patio.Sale Price: $981,500Assessed Value: $829,100Real Estate Taxes: $19,506

116 Edgemont RoadOld Edgemont gem ready to be restored. Terrific family neighborhood. The central location makes it easy to enjoy all that Scarsdale Village has to offer: restaurants, shopping and the Bronx River Parkway walking trails. Commute to NYC is only 33 minutes to Grand Central Station plus award winning Edgemont schools.Sale Price: $720,000Assessed Value: $1,052,600Real Estate Taxes: $35,744

Fountain Lane Unit#3BGreat location! Almost 1500 square feet: 2 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2 balconies at the resort-like Fountainhead. The complex offers many amenities including outdoor pool, club room, billiard room, gym, sauna, library, and a daytime doorman. Updated kitchen features granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Many upgrades: all doors and closet doors were replaced with high-quality new doors and hardware, recessed lighting, base and crown moulding added throughout, custom Hunter Douglas shades, all new air conditioning units, custom-built closets, office loft, and a washer and dryer right in unit. Two indoor deeded garage parking spaces with shed storage.Sale Price: $440,000

1 Fountain Lane Unit#3HSpectacular park-like community tucked away yet convenient to shops, restaurants, bus, and train station. Two bedroom duplex with treetop views and balcony overlooking the gorgeous fountain. Large living room, formal dining with skylight and access to private balcony. Newly renovated granite kitchen offers stainless appliances, gas range and peninsula seating. Renovated First floor bath. Second level offers primary bedroom with walk-in closet, second bedroom, and renovated bath. Laundry closet. New stairway and hardwood floors on second level. Inground pool, recreation room, community room, fitness room, sauna, library, and billiard room. Laundry room. Immediate garage space with storage shed. Edgemont schools.Sale Price: $390,000

Featured Listings94 Walworth AvenueScarsdale, NY 10583A classic Greenacres Colonial on .42 acres set on a tranquil lane off Walworth Avenue. Features include over 3800 interior square feet with large rooms, a spacious layout, plus a kitchen/family room, mudroom, butler's pantry area, covered patio for easy entertaining, six bedrooms with three-and-a-half bathrooms, plus twelve additional rooms, including the first floor den with built-ins and third floor playroom. Hardwood floors throughout. Gas cooktop and hot water heater circa 2015. House needs updating. Wonderful location: walk to Hartsdale train and shopping. Bus to all the schools. A great opportunity! Please note that the property extends beyond the driveway to the fence.Learn more here.Listing Price: $1,295,000

180 Fox Meadow RoadScarsdale, NY 10583The perfect location! A beautiful three-bedroom, two full bathroom Ranch on a level lot in the heart of Fox Meadow. This move-in ready house has a beautiful, updated kitchen with quartz countertops and a bright white backsplash. This home boasts an oversized living room with panoramic windows, a spacious light-filled dining room with french doors to the bluestone patio ideal for grilling. A large screened-in porch will be the family favorite. Extremely close to the train and 32 minutes to Grand Central Terminal.Learn more here.Listing Price: $999,000

Open Houses49 Tunstall RoadScarsdale, NY 10583OH 1/23/2021 12pm-1:30pmOH 1/24/2021 12pm-1:30pmIdeally located in Edgewood, this renovated five-bedroom Colonial home is picture perfect! High ceilings, classic symmetry with clean lines, restored doors, an open floor plan, and an abundance of light flowing through multiple exposures. The first floor entry opens to a gracious living room with a fireplace by restored French doors. The elegant dining room is seamlessly connected to the beautiful new white kitchen with Quartz countertops. The family room features double exposure, direct access to the living room, and bathes natural light all day long through 20 linear feet of glass! A unique master suite is comprised of the bedroom, dressing room/home office (or fifth bedroom) and Water Works master bath. A beautiful, level and private backyard with a large flagstone patio. Close to Edgewood Elementary school, park, Scarsdale village, local bus and commuter train.Learn more here.Listing Price: $1,270,000

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A Flurry of Home Sales to Greet the New Year - Scarsdale10583.com

GREENANDSAVE Staff

PTAC Units: A Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner is a type of self-contained heating and air conditioning system commonly found in: Hotels Motels Senior Housing Facilities Hospitals Condominiums Apartment Buildings Add-on Rooms & Sunrooms.

Business owners and homeowners face increasing challenges with COVID-19 to adequately disinfect rooms and promote safety in Massachusetts

We are pleased to provide the information below from Purge Virus regarding their offerings for PTAC Disinfection.

The Purge Virus team provides multiple solutions that include UV light, Photoplasma, and Bipolar Ionization. The Bipolar Ionization solutions have been well received, because in addition to helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they also remove odors from sources such as tobacco and cannabis.

PURGE VIRUS DOESNT MAKE PTAC UNITSTHEY RETROFIT THEM TO DISINFECT INDOOR AIR.

For Purge Virus to match the available technology to your in-room HVAC systems, you can let them know the manufacturers name and model # of your PTAC Units. From there Purge Virus will provide you with a free assessment of the most applicable solution. The average cost of equipment and installation per room is coming in at $550-$650. Purge Virus also offers zero upfront cost financing over 3-5 years. The monthly cost can be as low as $10 per month per room.

Learn more about Bipolar Ionization here: Bipolar Ionization

For some business owners and homeowners, portable devices may make the most sense for small lobbies or in certain rooms. Learn more about Potable Disinfection Devices here: Portable Devices

Purge Virus can help you navigate the complexity of disinfection choices: CONTACT PURGE VIRUS

NEWS on COVID-19 in Massachusetts: READ THE ORDERS: Mass. Moving Back to Phase 3, Step 1, Adding New Restrictions

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that effective Sunday, December 13th, all communities in Massachusetts will return to Step 1 of Phase 3, of the Commonwealths reopening plan. This will reduce indoor capacities across a broad range of sectors of the economy and tighten several other workplace restrictions. The Administration announced the roll-back to respond to an increase in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving holiday that is straining the health care system in Massachusetts.

The return to Step 1 will also require the closure of certain businesses designated as Step 2 industries. These include indoor performance venues and certain high-contact indoor recreational businesses. In addition, capacity limits will be reduced to 40% statewide for most industries, and the limit on outdoor gatherings will be reduced statewide from 100 persons to 50 persons. Additional safety measures will be applied to restaurant dining as well.

These new measures are designed to prevent infection and viral spread, especially in indoor settings. They will create stronger mask compliance, more social distancing, and limits to the time spent with people outside of your immediate household.

The Administration also announced additional guidance for certain sectors including restaurants, office spaces and gyms, to address activities where mask wearing is not possible at all times.

Continue reading here:
PTAC Disinfection for COVID-19 in Massachusetts - GREENandSAVE

The search for identity and recognition is a common theme among the 2020 North Carolina Book Award recipients who are being announced virtually. Video acceptance statements from recipients are available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0D3Ny2CaPzmpuuwyMiP8trn6iVTzB-9e.

The Ragan Old North State Award for Nonfiction goes to William Sandy Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen of Durham, for From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the 21st Century. The husband-wife team explores the economic and social impact of slavery, the mirage of equality during Reconstruction and the multiplier effect of ongoing institutional racism to imprison African Americans in poverty while building white wealth for generations. Darity is the Samuel DuBose Cook Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at Duke University. Mullen is an author, folklorist and museum consultant.

The Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction goes to Katey Schultz of Celo, for Still Come Home, a tale of war in Afghanistan involving a young wife, her older husband and the Taliban, an American soldier, and how their lives intersect as each seeks to live their truth in circumstances often beyond their control. Schultz, author of Flashes of War among other titles, is an instructor of creative writing at Interlochen College of Creative Arts in Michigan.

The Roanoke-Chowan Award for Poetry goes to Dannye Romine Powell of Charlotte, for In the Sunroom with Raymond Carver, which has been described as prayerful, shimmering with incandescence, and offering sometimes blinding moments of self-recognition. In addition to being an award-winning poet, Powell has been a leader in North Carolinas literary community, serving as book editor and columnist for the Charlotte Observer for decades.

The American Association of University Women Award for Young Peoples Literature goes toMeg Cannistra of Charlotte, for The Trouble with Shooting Stars, as 12-year-old Luna explores the heavens. It also is an examination of Italian American life and the experiences of food, fireworks, acceptance and love. This is Cannistras debut novel.

The C.C. Crittenden Memorial Award for lifetime contributions to history goes to Elizabeth Buford of Raleigh, former director of the N.C. Museum of History, former deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, who has worked to preserve and protect North Carolina history for decades through historic preservation, exhibitions and special events. She is most proud of the successful transfer of National History Day from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to the Office of Archives and History, ensuring that students would learn and protect the states history by doing history, creating exhibits, writing papers and producing performances. Buford spread her good works across the state by also being a longtime leader of the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies.

The Hardee-Rives Dramatic Arts Award goes to Triad Stage of Greensboro, for nearly 20 years of consistently high theater service reaching thousands of theatergoers in the Triad with high quality, regionally authentic productions in Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

The Hugh T. Lefler Award for best college student paper goes to Scott Stegall of Monroe and Davidson College, forFiddle and Bow and Jim Crow: North Carolina Fiddlers Conventions, Confederate Memorialization, and the Culture of White Supremacy. Graduating in 2020, Stegall, an old-time musician himself, used his time as a college student to explore the intersection between music and history in North Carolina.

The N.C. Literary and Historical Association and the Federation of N.C. Historical Societies continues in their commitment to stimulate the production of literature, to collect and preserve historical material in North Carolina, and to recognize excellence in both areas,even during this pandemic.

For additional information on the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association and the awards program, visit https://www.ncdcr.gov/about/history/lit-and-hist. The program is administered by the Office of Archives and History within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

See the original post here:
2020 North Carolina Book Award recipients announced - The Stanly News & Press - Stanly News & Press

ESSEX -- If youve never been down Towers Road, you might not know that theres a luxurious, 7,043-square foot contemporary house that comes with additional structures and an incredible view of the rolling countryside. And its currently for sale.

Listed by Hank Gintof Jr. of Signature Properties of Vermont, 100 Towers Road in Essex has over 10 acres of land, a single-family home, a pool house with a half bathroom, and so much more. The primary house includes a grand room with large windows, an upper loft that makes for a stellar home office, a custom bar, and even a theater room.

Outside, you can find a kidney-shaped pool and an 864-square foot barn. In addition to the attached three-car garage, theres an additional 1,200-square foot detached garage, allowing you to comfortably park nine vehicles indoors.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 6

Acreage: 10.04

List Price: $1,495,000

Highlights: Sunroom with overhead-vented cooking area, cozy fireplace, soaring ceilings, private plot but conveniently located to local amenities, garden space, spacious walk-in closet, kitchen island, and soaking tub

See this propertys full listing here.

Read the original:
Have your own movie theater with this Towers Road 7000-square foot contemporary home - St. Albans Messenger

The new five-story west Little Rock headquarters of Bank OZK is a magnificent addition of modern architecture for Arkansas. However, it houses more than deposits and loans its the repository for a number of world-renowned art pieces.

Bank OZK Chairman and CEO George Gleason provided Talk Business & Politics with a personal tour of the new campus and sat down for a Q&A on the state of banking as the nation heads into 2021 and a new presidential administration.

Gleason said the motivation to build a new headquarters the third one hes built in Little Rock was to have a building that would attract young talent as well as provide a campus with the potential for future growth. It is also a destination for the public to treat as a park.

The campus setting gives our employees and our customers and the community, for that matter, an opportunity to come outside and on a beautiful day work outside, he said. We think that fosters creativity and improves job satisfaction.

Designed by Little Rock-based Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, the Bank OZK headquarters serves as a staging place for a number of major art pieces. Gleason and his wife, Linda, have been dedicated art collectors for decades. The building is filled with paintings, sculptures, and blown glass from around the world.

Gleasons passion for art appreciation began in his teenage years from a Worlds Fair experience in San Antonio. In his professional career, he was afforded the opportunity to become a serious art collector. He never dreamed he would unknowingly be pitted against billionaire Alice Walton and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art through anonymous art bids.

We would go to sales and we had done our homework and we really liked this piece or really liked that piece. And we would bid on it, but we knew what it ought to sell for. And it would just go on up. There just seemed to be this escalating trend in prices in the market, Gleason recalled.

I was sitting in the sunroom one Sunday morning when the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published their article announcing Crystal Bridges. I think there were a dozen or 13 or 14 pictures in there that she had acquired and we were the underbidder on about half of them, Gleason said. I told my wife that morning, I said, Alice is going to buy everything great and most things good. And if we want to have a third-rate collection of American art, we just need to resolve to that or we can start collecting European art. So our personal collection went all European. By the time we were back collecting for the bank, the Alice Walton effect on prices had diminished. And once again, when good items came up, we were able to buy them at a fair price.

THE PANDEMIC, THE FUTUREGleason says the bank adapted internally to the COVID-19 pandemic and helped many clients with three- or six-month deferrals on loans. However, he said while some clients suffered during the pandemic, others have thrived.

The strange thing about COVID-19 is, economically, you have winners and you have losers. Some of our customers businesses have been boosted to unprecedented levels of business volume and activity and profitability because the services they provide or the projects theyre developing or the houses or buildings, or whatever are in higher demand than ever before, as a result of COVID-19. And then you have other people like people who are in the hotel and restaurant business who had been profoundly adversely affected by it, he said.

Bank OZK did about a half-billion dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Gleason said without the quick action from the federal government, the devastation for businesses and individuals would have been worse.

I think it [PPP] is like any program of that scale that is put together quickly. It accomplished a lot of things that it was intended to do. Its been a very useful program to keeping the country going through the disaster. But when you put together a program that is going to do that much and interact with that many tens and hundreds of thousands of people all across the country, youre going to have instances of fraud and abuse and misdirection of funds that go to a place that probably wasnt intended when everybody in Washington was crafting the legislation, he said. But I will give the Fed and our lawmakers and the president great credit. The response to the pandemic was very quick and very robust.

While he worries about the rising national debt, Gleason contends that more stimulus is needed to make it through the current COVID-19 challenge.

I do think we need another round of stimulus. Im not of the camp that it needs to be outlandishly large nor does it need to be anorexically skinny. I think theres probably a good middle ground, he said. I dont think we need another PPP program. I think we do need an extension of unemployment benefits at a more moderate rate for the millions of people that are going to be on unemployment much longer than their current benefits are designed to last.

You can watch a full tour of the Bank OZK headquarters and a longer interview with Gleason in the video below.

Link:
Bank OZK CEO George Gleason gives guided tour of new HQ, talks art and banking climate - talkbusiness.net