There is just something special about fall, back to school, and going to local high school football games. The Fort Mill  School football program is geared up for another great season and I recommend attending a high school football game for fun, excitement, and a chance to get to know our Fort Mill community.  Here are the 2 local high school varsity football schedules for this fall.

Fort Mill High School Varsity Football (Boys) 2010

Friday Aug. 27 Lugoff−Elgin High School at Fort Mill HS 7:30PM

Friday Sep. 03 Ridge View High School at Ridge View High School 7:30PM

Friday Sep. 10 Clover High School at Clover High School 7:30PM

Friday Sep. 17 Lewisville High School at Fort Mill HS 7:30PM

Friday Sep. 24 Broome High School at Fort Mill HS 7:30PM

Friday Oct. 01 South Pointe High School at South Pointe High School 7:30PM

Friday Oct. 08 Chester High School at Fort Mill HS 7:30PM

Friday Oct. 15 York Comprehensive High School at Fort Mill HS 7:30PM

Friday Oct. 22 Fairfield Central High School at Fairfield Central High School 8:00PM

Thursday Oct. 28 Nation Ford High School at Nation Ford High School 7:30PM

A link to the Fort Mill High School Athletic Page for update schedules.

Nation Ford High School Varsity Football (Boys) 2010

Friday Aug 27 Great Falls HS at Home 7:30PM

Friday Sept 3 Rock Hill HS at Away 7:30 PM

Friday Sept 10 Lewisville HS at Away 7:30 PM

Friday Sept 17 Open

Friday Sept 24 Northwestern HS at Home 7:30 PM

Friday Oct 1 Fairfield Central HS at Away 8:00PM

Friday Oct 8 South Pointe HS at Away 7:30PM

Friday Oct 15 Chester HS at Away 8:00PM

Thursday Oct 21 York HS at Home 7:30PM

Thursday Oct 28 Fort Mill at Home 7:30

(moved to Thursday Night because of district furlough days)

A link to the Nation Ford High School Athletic Page for updated schedules.

A Proud Supporter of the Fort Mill School District!

Random Posts:

• 2713 Park Ridge Blvd Rock Hill Home For Sale
• Tega Cay Christmas Events Dec 2007
• Looking for Professional Pet Nanny?
• Tega Cay Homes April 6 Open House Win $100 Visa Gift Card
• Home Resale Analysis Lake Shore In Tega Cay, SC

• Fort Mill High School And Nation Ford High School Football Schedules 2009
• Fort Mill Schools District Name 2 New Elementary Schools
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Fort Mill Schools Seeking Bond Approval To Handle Increased Population Growth
• McKemey Strong Wirstband Are Now On Sale

I imagine you, like me, are curious about the new fast food restaurant under construction at Gray Stone Crossing Shopping Center in Tega Cay (Hwy 160 between Dam Rd and Stonecrest Blvd). I have not found anyone directly familiar with PDQ. I know the Fort Mill Times sent out a Tweet a while back asking anybody for info on PDQ. Here is what I have been able to find about PDQ via my internet research.

PDQ Fresh Food Fast restaurant is a new concept restaurant developed and owned by the Captiva Restaurant Group together with Robert Basham (co-founder of Outback Steak House). Captiva’s partners Mike Vaughn, Joe Douglas and Chris Carlsen own and operate the small chain of 131 Main restaurants in Cornelius and Charlotte. Their always fresh concept (they don’t own a freezer) at 131 Main units is part of the PDQ’s fresh food concept claiming food is never frozen. The group decided to expand the PDQ concept after success with the first PDQ unit in Cornelius NC.

Info from a real estate marketing listing claims PDQ’s menu will be a simple offering of chicken tenders and sandwiches, pork tenderloin sandwiches, fries, milkshakes, and fruit. PDQ estimates opening in September. As you can see in the first picture, a sign company was putting the last sign up yesterday evening.

By the way, the .084 AC PDQ site is being marketed for sale (ground lease) as an investment by Berkeley Capital Advisors LLC for $950,210.

PDQ is located at 2435 SC Highway 160, Tega Cay, SC 29708

To read more about Tega Cay including events go to www.seetegacay.com

To read more about Fort Mill including events go to www.aboutfortmill.comRandom Posts:

• Its Almost Official the Tega Cay Dog Park Will Move!
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Jan 22 2009
• New Price For Tega Cay, SC Home For Sale 1924 Newberry Lane
• Looking For Foreclosures in Fort Mill SC?
• Visit RSS Hugger

• Fort Mill Chef Opens Fort Mill BBQ Restaurant
• Tega Cay Residents See A New Fort Mill School District Sign
• Tega Cay New Wal-Mart and Stonecrest Development Status
• Marketing is for The Dogs!
• Will Recent Rains Lift Tega Cay and Fort Mill SC Water Restrictions?

The proposed new Fort Mill School District elementary school, currently named “Number 8”, received its first structure. The new sign was recently installed to mark the location of the new school.

The new school site on Gold Hill Drive is at the edge of Tega Cay’s city limits. Mayor George Sheppard in his Fourth of July address made the following statements about the new school;

Maybe you have or haven’t heard about the property that the FM School district just purchased on the other side of the Tega Cay sign (better known as the McCall property). The 27+/- acre property will have an elementary school for 1,100 students and for the first time in FM SD history it will be a partial 2 story building. We have had conversations about the districts interest in the property being annexed into the city generating utility revenue on property we will already be first responders to in the event of an emergency. This is Annexation that would add revenue without adding excessive burden.

In the July Fort Mill School District Meeting the following update was presented to the board about elementary school 8’s progress:

Elementary School #8

The anticipated bid date is August/September 2010; the anticipated completion date is March, 2012. The property has been acquired and we are now in full swing of the site adaption design. We have scheduled a design committee review of the new site concept on July 14th and once all comments/concerns are addressed, we will move into the design development phase of the project. Once the DD phase is complete, we will make a presentation to the school board and then finalize the schedule for bidding and construction. We anticipate that the presentation can be made in August. The current design includes space for a 1,000 student capacity and remains approximately $2,000,000 over budget. We are optimistic that the current bidding environment, in conjunction with increased competition, will aid in reducing the delta. We are also identifying alternates and value engineering items to assist in bringing the project back down to budget. Key issue is site adaption.

More school updates coming soon….

To read more about Tega Cay including events go to www.seetegacay.com

To read more about Fort Mill including events go to www.aboutfortmill.comRandom Posts:

• Domain Name Change for Carmen Miller’s Real Estate Blog
• Tega Cay Wants More Money!
• Looking For Foreclosures in Fort Mill SC?
• Get Free Unlimited Local Property Searches At HomesFortMill.com
• Tega Cay, SC Home For Sale 2020 Emerald Pines

• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Fort Mill New School Update
• Fort Mill Schools Freeze Enrollment?
• Fort Mill Gold Hill Elementary Enrollment Freeze Update
• Fort Mill Schools District Name 2 New Elementary Schools

Fort Mill Schools are back in session. Moms are both happy and sad school has begun for another season. I hosted a back to school luncheon for local moms.

I want to thank the following businesses for the great door prizes given out to the moms at the luncheon:

Olan Carder, American Securities Mortgage

Ward Krull, Crosscut Construction

Ken Corbit, Expert Property Inspections

John  Zeidner, Staircase Transformations

Jan Wallace, Sugar Creek Garden Center

Random Posts:

• Fort Mill Real Estate – Mortgage Update December 7 2008
• Piedmont South Carolina Home Sales Comparisons 1st Half 2008 – Including Fort Mill
• Tega Cay Now In Stage 1 Water Restrictions April 2009
• 17 Ways To Get Home Buyers Into Your Home
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area April 23 2009

• Sugar Creek Garden Center Opening Soon in Fort Mill
• MOMS Club Pre-School Fair Friday Jan 8 at 9:30 Steele Creek Library
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Fort Mill High School And Nation Ford High School Football Schedules 2010
• Fort Mill Schools District Name 2 New Elementary Schools

• Mortgage rates stay below 5%
• Charlotte-area home sales pick up in February (up 3.6%)
• Clear Springs back to development Mixed-use project one of rare starts across the region at Springfield Town Center in Fort Mill

(Charlotte Business Journal)

• Foreclosures level off in February
• It’s OK to be optimistic

(Inman News)

• Fort Mill to lose 27 teaching jobs,middle school sports to budget cuts
• York County Says: Fort Mill tower owners have 60 days – Claiming that MorningStar Ministries breached an agreement with York County to rehabilitate the former Heritage USA tower

(Fort Mill Times)

• FHA Head: Don’t Raise Down Payments
• FHA Commissioner David Stevens said if the mandatory down payment for an FHA loan is raised from 3.5 percent to 5 percent, the organization will probably insure 300,000 fewer homes every year.
• Future Foreclosures Could Hamper Housing
• A second wave of foreclosures could hit the market this year, which could negatively affect an otherwise stabilizing housing market.
• Mortgage Rates Remain Steady
• For the second week in a row, average rates for 30-year mortgages stayed below 5 percent.
• Home Equity Loans Available Again

(Realtor.com)

The mood seems to be positive, negative, and contradicting but I would say leaning more positive. Your thoughts?Random Posts:

• 1520 Merrie Meadow Ct Rock Hill Home For Sale
• TEGA CAY REAL ESTATE MARKET ANALYSIS JAN-APR 2008
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Jan 22 2009
• More Wal-Mart’s Planned for Fort Mill and Lake Wylie?
• Who Is Obeying The Tega Cay Sign Ordinance That Bans Real Estate Directional Signs?

• Fort Mill Home Owners Can Use More Economic Good News
• Why are Mortgage Rates Rising?
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update July 11 2008
• Warning Positive Home Sales News Maybe Dangerous To Your Health!
• Mortgage Rates for Tega Cay Remain Low!

Here is what their website says about their new Sugar Creek Garden Center:

Sugar Creek Garden Center will be a garden center with an atmosphere like a botanical garden and will offer inspirational ideas in a project-based retail operation catering to today’s homeowner demographic. In addition to offering high quality and unique varieties of plants,  Sugar Creek Garden Center will offer outdoor living and landscape projects, gardening tools and accessories, gifts, birding items, and houseplants.  Sugar Creek Garden Center will also have a design center, knowledgeable staff and exceptional customer service. Sugar Creek Garden Center will be a family oriented garden center hosting seasonal and educational events for children and adults.

Construction began last October.

The rain has slowed progress but you can now see a greenhouse standing. Sugar Creek Garden Center is now hiring. For more information, contact George or Jan at george.wallace@SugarCreekGardenCenter.com or call them at 803-802-2600. Visit their website for progress pictures, newsletters, blog, and apply online. www.sugarcreekgardencenter.comRandom Posts:

• More Fall Color In Tega Cay SC
• Clover, Fort Mill, Tega Cay SC unofficial Election Results – November 7, 2007
• Fort Mill Real Estate -Mortgage Market Update April 18, 2008
• 405 Shoreline Parkway Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Fort Mill Lacrosse Club Adds a Girls Team

• 3rd Annual Back To School Luncheon
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Fort Mill Continues To Show Support for Burn Victim Connor McKemey
• Fort Mill Schools District Name 2 New Elementary Schools
• Tega Cay Still Celebrates 4th of July and Birthday In 2009

The new bill:

* Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.

* Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Here is Tom Kunz, President and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate with more information on the Extended 2009 – 2010 home buyers tax credit.

More information on the the extended home buyers tax credit:

First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 and current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight qualify for the credit.

To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000. The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by tw0 additional factors:

1. The price of the home.

2. The buyer’s income.

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

Buyer Income

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

Some buyers may still be eligible for the credit if their income is over the limits. The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written contract to purchase a home is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close. The extended 2009 home buyers tax credit info is from National Association of REALTORS®.

Click for more information about the The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.

Call Carmen for more details.

www.HomesFortMill.comRandom Posts:

• Fort Mill, Tega Cay Realtor Quoted In The Fort Mill Times
• Tega Cay News Update – Who is Tega Cay’s Chris Larsen?
• Sugar Creek Garden Center Opening Soon in Fort Mill
• Mortgage Rates Higher, WHY?
• Fort Mill Real Estate Friday Mortgage Update for April 4 2008

• How Will The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Help Fort Mill Home Sales
• Take Advantage of the Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit Before It’s Too Late.
• Tega Cay Homes Sales Up 47 Percent May and June 2010
• Tega Cay Real Estate Home Sales Comparison April 2009
• Fort Mill Real Estate Home Sales Comparison April 2009

Why the change? Our Fort Mill, York County area is on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. Some local Realtors® on both sides of the border don’t always list homes and properties for sale in both Multiple Listing services that are available in our area. Carmen Miller’s home search tool now searches for information available on both the Carolina Multiple Listing Service and the Piedmont Multiple Listing Service. Not all local home search tools get data from both services.

Other important features include:

• Map search
• Search by address, MLS number, City, County, etc
• Save searched properties
• Email you on new listed properties
• Search for homes for sales, rent, foreclosure, etc
• Home Valuation
• Mortgage Calculator
• And more…..

The National Realtors Association® says that 84% of home buyers search for homes on the web. HomesFortMill.com now has more home search power to aid you in your Fort Mill Home search quest. Remember the internet is a good place to start but if you want qualified resources please contact Fort Mill Realtor® Carmen Miller.

Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed on the search tool.

Call me for questions or showings.

www.HomesFortMill.comRandom Posts:

• Charlotte Metro Including York County SC Is Ranked The 7th Fastest-Growing Area.
• Features Home Buyers Really Want Even In Tega Cay
• Fort Mill Voters Say Yes To School Bonds
• Tega Cay Home Sales Comparison September 2008
• Baxter Village Home For Sale – 7172 Michael Scott Crossing Fort Mill SC

• Looking For Foreclosures in Fort Mill SC?
• Fort Mill Real Estate Home Sales Comparison May 2009
• Get Free Unlimited Local Property Searches At HomesFortMill.com
• Free Fort Mill Home Search On Your iPhone
• Fort Mill SC Home Sales Comparison 4th Quarter 2008

Are you a high school football fan? Fort Mill High School and Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill start their 2009 football season in August 2009.  Carmen Miller Realtor® is a proud supporter of the Fort Mill School athletic program. Here are the 2009 high school football schedules for both Fort Mill HS varsity football teams:

Fort Mill High School 2009 Varsity Football Schedule
Aug. 29 – Chesterfield High School -  Home -  7:30PM
Sep. 05 – Lancaster High School – Away -  7:30PM
Sep. 12 – Broome High School – Away   7:30PM
Sep. 19 – South Pointe High School – Home – 7:30PM
Sep. 26 – Rock Hill High School – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 03 – Boiling Springs High School – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 10 -  Clover High School – Clover – Clover – 7:30PM
Oct. 17 – York Comprehensive High – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 24 – Gaffney High School – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 31 – Northwestern High School – Home – 7:30PM
Nov. 07 – Nation Ford High School – Home – 7:30PM

A link to the Fort Mill High School Athletic Page for update schedules.

Nation Ford High School 2009 Varsity Football Schedule

Aug 21 – Forestview – Away – 7:30
Aug 2 – Great Falls – Away – 7:30
Sept  4 – Rock Hill – Home – 7:30
Sept 11 – Lewisville – Home – 7:30
Sept 18 – Chesnee – Away – 7:30
Sept 25 – Open
Oct   2 – Lancaster – Home – 7:30
Oct   9 – Northwestern – Away – 7:30
Oct  16 – Gaffney – Home – 7:30
Oct  23 – Clover – Home – 7:30
Oct  30 – York – Away – 7:30
Nov   6 – Fort Mill – Home – 7:30

A link to the Nation Ford High School Athletic Page for updated schedules.

Random Posts:

• Mortgage Rates at 4.75%?
• If You Can’t Beat City Hall, Join Them!
• FREIGHTLINER EMPLOYEE RELOCATION BULLETIN
• Top 10 Reasons To Live in Fort Mill, SC.
• Tega Cay Home Sales Comparison September 2008

• Fort Mill High School And Nation Ford High School Football Schedules 2010
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Jan 29 2009
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Jan 22 2009
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Feb 19 2009

It’s back to school time and Century 21® First Choice in Fort Mill, SC. is sponsoring a “School Supplies Give-A-Way”.

The “School Supplies Give-A-Way” is Monday, August 17 from 7am -1pm at the Fort Mill Century 21® First Choice office at the corner of Hwy 160 and Gold Hill (206 Rockmont Dr. Fort Mill, SC 29708). We are giving away school supply starter packs to children in our Fort Mill community!

To receive a bag, mom or dad or adult just need to look for the ad in the Fort Mill Times this Wednesday, tear it out and bring the ad along with the school aged children by the Century 21® office between the hours of 7a – 1p to pick up their “school supplies starter kit”.  Hurry in – quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last.

Tell your friends and neighbors that may need a bit of help getting ready for August 19th – the First day of School!

Thanks for your time! If you don’t need a supply bag, just swing by and say hello! We would love to see you!

A link to see the Century 21® First Choice Staff .

Click to download the School Supplies Give A Way ad.

Random Posts:

• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area March 5 2009
• What is Babynet by Ann Marie May of Tega Cay Speaks
• Tega Cay’s City Website Gets A New Look
• LPGA Event Coming to Tega Cay Golf Course
• Carmen Miller Launches New See Tega Cay Website

• Tega Cay Residents See A New Fort Mill School District Sign
• Mortgage Rates Supply and Demand
• Life @ Home Newsletter August 2007
• Fort Mill High School And Nation Ford High School Football Schedules 2009
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008

• 1450 Finsbury- Lake Shore- 12:00- 2:00
• 2301 Pine Run- Lake Shore 2:00 – 4:00
• 12092 Spinnaker- Tega Cay- 12:00 – 2:00
• 2713 Park Ridge- Rock Hill- 12:00 = 2:00
• 16006 Hamilton Forest- Hamilton Place- 2:00 – 4:00

1450 Finsbury Ln., Tega Cay, SC 29708 $459,900

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM

• Single Family
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 2 Full, 1 Half
• Square Feet: 3,100

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS BACKYARD PARADISE! No other home in the area will have this unique personal vacation spot. Custom Salt Water pool with rock waterfall, hot tub, heated and beautifully landscaped. Home has granite in kitchen and all baths, wrought iron dual stair cases, stacked stone fireplace, study, both formals, large mstr suite and too many other upgrades to list!

2301 Pine Run Tega Cay, SC 29708 -319,900

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

• Single Family
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 3
• Square Feet: 2,600

Beautifully maintained, Lillian Floyd home! Bright and sunny large kitchen with Corian counters, 42′ cabinetry, wonderful open floorplan with room for all! Guest suite and full bath on main, generous master suite on second level, with two additional bedrooms and bonus room. Huge level corner cul-de-sac lot. Beautiful neutral colors, wired for surround sound, full sprinkler system.

12092 Spinnaker DR Tega Cay, SC 29708 Heron Harbor – $257,600

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM

• Single-Family
• Total Heated SqFt: 1700 – 2100
• Bedrooms: 4
• Baths : 2 full, 1 half

Better than new, extensively remodeled home. New flooring throughout, beautiful hardwoods, slate and custom tile. New appliances, gorgeous master bath with whirlpool tub and seamless glass shower, designer fixtures and lighting. Custom built entertainment center, surround sound in great room, redesigned wrought iron staircase. Backyard has been completely landscaped, partial fencing.

2713 Park Ridge Blvd., Rock Hill, SC 29732 – $310,000

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 12:00 Noon to 2:00PM

• Single Family Home
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 5 Full
• Square Feet: 3,595

Home has all the bells and whistles! Granite, hardwood flooring, five full bathrooms, two huge living areas on second level that can be bedrooms, bonus , or media spaces! Beautiful stone fireplace, study w/French doors, large master suite. Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity!

16006 Hamilton Forest, Fort Mill, SC 29708 – $349,900

Open House Saturday 20, 2009 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 2 Full, 1 Half
• Acres: 1
• Square Feet: 2,844

The home is nestled on one acre of quiet beauty. Offering new appliances in kitchen, corian counters, hardwood flooring, brick accent fireplace, formal dining, large master suite, generous bedrooms, and a huge downstairs rec. room that can be an additional bedroom, den, or play room. Back yard offers a custom brick outdoor fireplace.

Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.

Call me with questions.

Random Posts:

• MOMS Club® of Tega Cay Basket Raffle 2008
• Where To Let The Dogs Out in Tega Cay?
• Fort Mill, Tega Cay Realtor Quoted In The Fort Mill Times
• Tips To Get A Mortgage Loan in Charlotte And Fort Mill
• Baxter Village Home For Sale Open House November 1, 2008

• Tega Cay Real Estate – Saturday Open House Extravaganza June 27 2009
• 2713 Park Ridge Blvd Rock Hill Home For Sale
• 1832 Chestnut Hill Tega Cay Home For Sale
• 846 Brooksmill Drive Tega Cay Home For Sale
• 612 Sunfish Tega Cay Townhouse For Sale

If you look at ChefHerb Production’s website, Herb says he is a certified Chef with over 20 years experience as an executive chef for large hotels and restaurants. He has a passion for southern cuisine especially BBQ pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken. Besides catering, Herb enters several area BBQ contests and teaches cooking classes.

Carmen and I went to the Fort Mill BBQ Company’s new restaurant last week and enjoyed the food and hospitality. The restaurant is located in the Stockbridge Commons shopping center where Lowe’s Foods is located at the corner of Highway 160 and Gold Hill Rd. they took the spot that used to be Sonny’s Dutch Mill Restaurant.When we walked in for lunch, the restaurant was busy and Bob greeted us with a warm welcome at the door. The restaurant is full of color and historical pictures of Fort Mill. The most predominate picture was a picture of the old barn that was located at the same corner that now is the shopping center. Bob explained part of the restaurants design concept is to feature Fort Mill.

A banner promoting a logo contest was hanging on a wall showing the logo winner and 2nd place winner. Bob’s wife is the principal of Nations Ford High school and they asked the Nations Ford HS art class to hold a contest to make the best logo for the Fort Mill BBQ Company. Bob also explained as he pointed to a wall that the winners of the all u eat BBQ challenge will be featured on the wall along with kids color drawings done while they eat. The restaurant has a large colorful menu board with many items to choice from.

There was a lot of hands on service for a order as you come in restaurant. I asked Herb’s wife why they decided to open their restaurant in this tough economy. She said their catering business has been doing well and their customers urged them to open a local restaurant.  Besides good cooking, the group did a great job making us and everyone else in the restaurant feel welcome. Herb, Bob, and family, we wish you good luck and we are glad to have you as a great restaurant choice in Fort Mill.Random Posts:

• Fort Mill, Tega Cay Realtor Quoted In The Fort Mill Times
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update May 30 2008
• Fort Mill Home Buyers and Sellers Can Get A Tax Credit
• 1716 Bentgrass LN Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Fort Mill – Indian Land SC Welcomes Titanium Holdings and 300 Jobs

• Two New Hospitals in Fort Mill?
• What is The PDQ Fresh Food Fast Restaurant in Tega Cay?
• Fort Mill Schools Freeze Enrollment?
• Sugar Creek Garden Center Opening Soon in Fort Mill
• Fort Mill Schools District Name 2 New Elementary Schools

Night picture of Downtown Charlotte

The 2008 city to city migration numbers are not as strong as 2007 but people are still relocating and the Charlotte Metro (includes Fort Mill SC) area is ranked 3rd according to a Forbes article.

Local Tega Cay friends recently pointed out a story to us that Lauren Sherman at Forbes published an article at the end of March titled “Ten Cities Where Americans Are Relocating”. The Forbes article ranked Charlotte 3rd most popular. I reported in March Charlotte Ranked the 7th fastest growing cities. So whats the difference?

We both used the US Census Bureau’s March 19th 2008 data. Forbes compared the 2008 population estimates to the previous year’s data to see which areas had grown the most, percentage-wise and so did I.  The difference is the Forbes article focused on cities over a million in population.

When you focus on cities over the million in populations the top ten 2008 fastest growing cities are:

1. Raleigh-Cary, NC
2. Austin-Round Rock, TX
3. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
4. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
6. San Antonio, TX
7. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
8. New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA
9. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
10. Denver-Aurora, CO

The Charlotte metro are includes Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Rock Hill, all of York County SC. Of course I am somewhat biased but if you’re looking  for some of the best areas to live within the Charlotte metro area I would recommend the Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie area.

If you are considering to relocate to the Charlotte area, contact Carmen for more information about the Fort Mill SC area which is just a few miles south of Charlotte.

Random Posts:

• Fort Mill Real Estate – Mortgage Update December 7 2008
• Tega Cay Wants More Money!
• 1062 Windsong Bay LN Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Charlotte Home Values Still On The Plus Side
• Who Inspects Their Home Before Purchase?

• Charlotte Metro Including York County SC Is Ranked The 7th Fastest-Growing Area.
• Fort Mill SC Rank 6 Out Of Ten Fastest Growing Metros
• Charlotte Metro – Fort Mill Ranked in Top 100 Cheapest Places To Live
• Charlotte NC Voted Best Place To Live
• Charlotte NC Ranked 9th Most Miserable City?

Here is a list of positive headlines I wanted to share with you:

Wells Fargo expects record 1Q profit report by the Charlotte Business Journal.

Wells Fargo: Is This The Play On The Real Estate Recovery?
Wells Fargo’s big upside earnings surprise… report by CNBC.

Retailers see signs of optimism despite 2.1% sales drop report by the GlobeSt.com.

Obama sees “glimmers of hope” in economy report by Reuters.

Stimulus Aid Being Doled Out, Slowly report by the Washington Post.

Closer to home in Fort Mill SC:

Charlotte housing data shows monthly gains report by the Charlotte Business Journal.

Fort Mill’s Plaza Fiesta adding tenants report by the Rock Hill Herald.

Glass Half Empty? No! Half Full! – reported by the ScoopMill.com.

And to end my list, bravo to a really happy and most likely positive Fort Mill resident:

$1 million Powerball ticket sold in Fort Mill reported by the Rock Hill Herald.

Random Posts:

• Fort Mill Chef Opens Fort Mill BBQ Restaurant
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Concerns Mayor Has Own Agenda
• RECENT SALES MARKET IN TEGA CAY
• Carmen Is Selling Homes!

• Friday Fort Mill Real Estate Headline Recap March 12 2010
• Warning Positive Home Sales News Maybe Dangerous To Your Health!
• Charlotte MSA Exiting Homes Sales Are Only Down 4.4% for October 2008
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Feb 26 2009
• Fort Mill Home Values Still Strong

The Stock Market was up Thursday but why? Many speculated the G20 conference proposal for heavier global bank regulation helped the market. What maybe the postive market trigger last Thursday was the FASB accounting rule change on how financial institutions value their assets. What does this have to do with the Fort Mill home market? Hold on let me explain.

Thursday FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) changed the market to market accounting rule that allows banks and other financial institutions more leeway on setting the value of their assets rather than valuing the assets at current market prices.  The market seemed to like this news.

You may recall last year many banks had to value their mortgage backed securities at unpredicted lows and record huge book value losses because the market value of some mortgage baked securities were considered toxic and had little value. Banks had no choice but to book their mortgage backed securities at a loss even though their particular asset may not have been “toxic”. 

I have been looking for a sign that some action, policy change, or event will help trigger a positive turnaround. Nothing I have seen or heard at this point has been the A-HA! The FASB market to market valuation policy change feels like an A-HA to me! The policy change goes into effect next quarter but it has plenty of criticism too. But I suspect the change to the market to market accounting rule will reduce the reported bank losses, which will:

• Boost more confidence in the market and banks,
• Eventually lead to more lending.
• Help to boost business, create jobs and eventually more home buyers in the Fort Mill market.

Is this an A-Ha for you too?

Random Posts:

• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Jan 22 2009
• FREIGHTLINER EMPLOYEE RELOCATION BULLETIN
• VA Loans in Tega Cay Offer Zero Down Financing
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area March 26 2009
• 3rd Annual Back To School Luncheon

• Why are Mortgage Rates Rising?
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update July 11 2008
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update September 19, 2008
• Fort Mill Mortgage Rates, Is There A Major Mortgage Rate Drop On The Horizon?
• Mortgage Rates Higher, WHY?

shows continued broad based declines in the prices of existing single family homes across the United States, with 13 of the 20 metro areas showing record rates of annual decline, and 14 reporting declines in excess of 10% versus January 2008.

The S&P/Case-Shiller went on to say in their report the January 2009 average home prices across the United States are at similar levels to what they were in late 2003.

The good news is Charlotte and Fort Mill home price decline was in the metro group with less than 10% declines. The Southwest saw home prices fall as much as 35% in Phoenix, 32.5 % in Las Vegas, and closer to home 14.3% in Atlanta.

Is the home price trend slowing? The home price decline for Charlotte and Fort Mill during the period of November 2008 to December 2008 was 2.6%. The decline from December 2008 to January 2009 was lower at 1.2%.

See S&P/Case-Shiller’s January 2009 homes sales index comparison below:

Random Posts:

• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update June 13, 2008
• Clover, Fort Mill, Tega Cay SC unofficial Election Results – November 7, 2007
• Lake Shore in Tega Cay Home Sales Comparison September 2008
• Looking For Toll Brothers Homes in Fort Mill or Tega Cay?
• Tega Cay News Update – Who is Tega Cay’s Chris Larsen?

• Charlotte MSA Exiting Homes Sales Are Only Down 4.4% for October 2008
• Fort Mill Home Values Still Strong
• Tega Cay Real Estate 1st Half Home Sales Comparisons 2007 To 2008
• Tega Cay-Fort Mill Last 30 Day Home Sales Report Jan 21 2009
• Charlotte Mortgages: FHA Loan Limits see big increase!

logo from Scoopmill.com

There is a new blog in Fort Mill worth mentioning. It’s called ScoopMill.com

tagged as “All the Scoop That’s Fit to Blog”.

The blog is owned by Jane of Fort Mill. Based on the dates of Jane’s blog posts the blog started around the end of January this year. Why did Jane start the Fort Mill based ScoopMill.com? In her words from her website:

She felt that Fort Mill and the surrounding area was in need of a website that would report on local happenings…

Jane’s vision for Scoopmill.com is:

To become the online spot for residents and visitors alike to provide commentary on the goings-on in Fort Mill and the surrounding area.

Jane has been posting articles regularly for the last couple months about Fort Mill events, local businesses, and other news.

I was alerted about her site via Google Alerts (sounds like big brother is watching doesn’t it) when she posted a note about the MOM’s Club in Tega Cay. I contacted Jane to thank her for the MOMS club post. Carmen sponsors the website and I created the website for the MOMS club of Tega Cay. Jane replied and said she was writing a post about foreclosures after seeing Carmen’s foreclosure article. It’s a small world isn’t. That’s why Carmen and I love about Fort Mill. It’s a tight nit, wonderful community we call home.

Carmen will be submitting to the ScoopMill weekly homes sales information for Fort Mill, Indian Land, and Tega Cay SC. See the homes sales information on the Scoop Mill Real Estate page  Going once, Going twice, Sold!.Random Posts:

• Let It Snow!
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update May 30 2008
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update June 27, 2008
• GHES Selected As Blue Ribbon School
• Will Recent Rains Lift Tega Cay and Fort Mill SC Water Restrictions?

• MOMS Club® of Tega Cay New Web Site
• MOMS Club® of Tega Cay Charity Golf Classic
• MOMS Club Pre-School Fair Friday Jan 8 at 9:30 Steele Creek Library
• Carmensmiller.com Gets A Face Lift
• Tega Cay-Fort Mill Last 30 Day Home Sales Report Jan 21 2009

It not surprising to hear that Fort Mill is ranked in the top ten most affordable suburbs by a recent Business Week Feb 2009 article.

Business Week studied suburbs near the biggest cities in each state to find what the publication considers the best quality of life for your money. They evaluated suburbs on a variety of factors but weighted affordability most heavily. They also considered lifestyle (short commutes, clean air, low crime, good weather, and green space), the quality of schools, and the strength of the local economy. Populations were in the range of not more than 60,000 or less than 5,000.

The Top Ten Suburbs in 2009:

1. Pewaukee, Wisconsin
2. Mill Creek, Washington
3. Brandon, South Dakota
4. Munford, Tennessee
5. East Norriton, Pennsylvania
6. South Weber, Utah
7. Cornelius, North Carolina
8. West Des Moines, Iowa
9. Pataskala, Ohio
10. Fort Mill, South Carolina

Fort Mill South Carolina stats according to Business Week are:

• Best affordable suburb: Fort Mill
• Nearest major city: Charlotte, N.C.
• Population: 9,943
  Median household income: $57,648
• Unemployment rate: 5.6%
• Violent crime index: 93 (“100″ is the national average for violent crime, so “200″ would be twice the national average and “50″ would be half the national average)

Fort Mill, just south of the North Carolina border and 18 miles from downtown Charlotte, is home to the Charlotte Knights’ baseball stadium. About 36% of residents are married with children. The average commute is 22 minutes.

Here is a link to Business Week’s Fort Mill Stat info:

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/02/0219_affordable_suburbs/41.htm

GreatSchools.net ranks the Fort Mill School District 9 out of 10 with 10 being the best.

The Fort Mill Township includes areas like Baxter Village, the city of Tega Cay, Knights bridge to name a few. To se a list of communities or subdivisions of the Fort Mill area click here =>http://carmensmiller.com/communities/

Here are some other interesting links about Fort Mill South Carolina:

• http://carmensmiller.com/communities/fort-mill/
• http://homesfortmill.com/area-info/fort-mill-sc/
• http://aboutfortmill.com/
• A map of the area http://aboutfortmill.com/fort-mill-maps/

Random Posts:

• Tega Cay Real Estate 943 Cove Point Home For Sale
• Looking For Toll Brothers Homes in Fort Mill or Tega Cay?
• TEGA CAY REAL ESTATE MARKET ANALYSIS JAN-APR 2008
• Tega Cay, SC Home For Sale 1883 Chestnut Hill
• How Will The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Help Fort Mill Home Sales

• Charlotte NC Voted Best Place To Live
• Charlotte Metro Including York County SC Is Ranked The 7th Fastest-Growing Area.
• Charlotte Metro – Fort Mill Ranked in Top 100 Cheapest Places To Live
• How Far is Fort Mill or Tega Cay From Charlotte?
• Top 10 Reasons To Live in Fort Mill, SC.

A group of Tega Cay families called McKemey Strong lead by Scott and Michelle Shirley have teamed up and organized a fundraising effort for Connor McKemey.  (see more on Connor’s story) The first fundraising project is McKemeny Strong wristbands.

The wristbands are in production and are expected to arrive after February 5th. The McKemey Strong team are in the process of setting up wristband sales events and sales locations with local businesses.

A Mckemey Strong website has been created to promote the wristband and future fund raising activities. The website is www.mckemeystrong.com.

Several Tega Cay and Fort Mill families have donated the money to produce the wristbands so all of the wristband sales will go to the Mckemey Medical Trust Fund.

Why did the group pick Mckemey Strong as their theme? And what does McKemey Strong mean to you?

Scott Shirley and Carmen Miller both wrote what Mckemey Strong meant to them. Here are their two versions:

FAITH…. to entrust the most precious gift, a child, to His embrace.  FAITH to know that  prayers count and that He is listening.  FAITH to see the small daily miracles in Connors recovery as a celebration of His love.   To be in awe of the humility and trust the McKemey’s have taught us with their FAITH, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

COURAGE….of a teenage boy fighting to stay strong, to hear his parents voice, to heal and survive.  COURAGE of brothers standing proud, scared and hopeful.  COURAGE of a mother who has lived an unimaginable nightmare and found the strength not only to fight the fight but to encourage others to fight it with her.  COURAGE of a father who with quiet dignity and bravery has served his country and now stands by his son.  Finding a small token of that COURAGE in our own lives, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

HOPE…. shown by every member of the McKemey family as they stand true to their FAITH with COURAGE.  HOPE shown by every person who has visited the Caring Bridge sight eager for updates, HOPE raised with every prayer given.  Learning to HOPE in the worst of times, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

COMMUNITY….a truly amazing effort of so many to come together and do their part.  The McKEMEY COMMUNITY is not just Fort Mill, not just parents of kids that know Connor, not just neighbors who know the family.  It is hundreds of families banding together to lend a hand, give their time, their tears and yes, even their blood.

The McKEMEY COMMUNITY is every child that has prayed an extra prayer, every church that has raised the McKemey’s name for healing and strength, it is people all over the world who have been touched by a family that continues to give back.  A COMMUNITY who has come together to reach out and embrace, to join and give, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

Knowing that life is full of unexpected circumstances, being willing to face them with FAITH, COURAGE, HOPE and to give the gift of COMMUNITY to those in need, that is McKEMEY STRONG……

By Carmen Miller

What does “McKemey Strong” mean to you?  Here’s what it means to me:

I sit by and watch the McKemey family and close friends.  They are so visible.  They are so inspiring.  They are family to us.  They are us.  They are McKemey Strong!!!

Every morning, I go to the YMCA, faithfully working hard to maintain physical fitness so I can live a long healthy life for my two small boys.  I used to see Karin there most every day.  I admire her faithfulness and dedication.  I never realized, watching her perusing her goals, like me, that she and her family would be the focal point of my family’s prayer time.  I am inspired by her strength.  We wish I were McKemey Strong!!!

I have watched as my sons have fallen off of their scooters, bikes, Healies, diving boards, water skis, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, chairs, tables, countertops, and anything else they can manage to ride and crash.  All of which is expected with two very active boys.  As much as those bumps and bruises hurt our boys, you all know how the blood, bruises and black eyes and tears hurt Mom and Dad even more.  We’re learning to be McKemey Strong!!!

Along comes Connor McKemey…McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

Who would ever think we’d have to help our little pumpkin fight for his life.  This doesn’t happen to us.  That’s the kind of thing that happens to someone else, somewhere else.  And yet, as a community, we watch this family, the McKemey’s.  They have been given a challenge the likes of which NONE of us could understand.  Everyday, they find a way to move forward.  They have altered their lifestyle, their schedules, and their living arraignments, everything they have come to know as a family.  THIS is McKemey Strong!!!

I read the Caring Bridge pages, I watch the news, I look for a chance-sighting of one of the Mckemey family members, I talk to friends, I go to the blood drive, I pray with my wife and little boys, I donate anyway I can.  I realize how fragile our lives and families are and realize that no matter what, this is what really matters…Family…Friends…Faith…McKemey Strong!!!

This family and our own Connor have endured so much.  They are worthy of our support and love.  I am honored to have been touched and inspired by this family.  Dearest Connor, Karin, George, Tripp and Quinn, though I have never met any of you or your family, I am so inspired and encouraged by you and you are so close to all of us every minute of every day.  I suppose it must be hard to understand that we love you so.  You must know by now that if you as much as raise your hand, we will be there for you with whatever you need.  We wish we were McKemey Strong!!!

Thank you, McKemey Family, for the inspiration, lessons, love, faith and strength you have brought to our families.  God is using you all in a way you could never understand or we could explain.

I wish we all could be McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

With much love,

Your friends and neighbors,

The Shirley Family;

Scott, Michelle, Noah and Blake

Random Posts:

• 1714 Madison St Rock Hill Home For Sale
• 1847 Chestnut Hill Ln Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Charlotte NC Voted Best Place To Live
• 811 Brooksmill Dr Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update May 30 2008

• Fort Mill Continues To Show Support for Burn Victim Connor McKemey
• Post Red Ribbons For Connor McKemey’s Homecoming
• McKemey Strong Wirstband Are Now On Sale
• Fort Mill School Supplies Give-A-Way At Century 21® First Choice
• The Lake Shore Quarterly Nov 2007

Support for the McKemey family and Connor continues to grow in the Tega Cay and Fort Mill community. And in some cases beyond our fair township borders. Many local citizens talk about Connor daily. For some the daily news or updates on his condition is a daily priority.

Let me back up a bit and if you haven’t heard of the tragic McKemey storey here is a brief recap. Just before Christmas, Connor McKemey, 13, suffered second and third degree burns over 85 percent of his body and is currently in critical condition at the Joseph M. Still burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. Connor has undergone several surgeries and faces many more. Connor’s mother Karin suffered serious burns while trying to help Connor after an explosion in their outdoor fireplace.

The interesting thing about this story is the overwhelming support from friends and the community. In fact support has surfaced beyond the borders of Fort Mill. Last week the Gold Hill Middle school girls and boys basketball teams (Connor’s school) played a game at Dutchman Creek Middle school in Rock Hill. Both our basketball teams were surprised and touched by the Dutchman’s Creek’s presentation of a check for the Mckemey medical fund. The students at this Rock Hill school raised over $1100.

There are several fund raisers and blood drives planned for the “Crusade for Connor” In fact there is a “Crusader for Connor” t-shirt that can be purchased from Thunder Athletics or at Gold Hill Middle school or Fort Mill HS. Proceeds will be donated to the McKemey Medical Fund.

Info on the McKemey Medical Fund
Make donations by check and payable to the “McKemey Medical Fund” and mail to the following address:
Sodoma Law, P.C.
1336 Harding Place
Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: (704) 442-0000
You can also donate at any Bank of America branch.

Other events or donation avenues include:

Dinner for the family

Dream Dinners on Hwy 160 established an account for the family.

Blood Drives

There are three scheduled blood drives for Connor:

1. The first is on January 19th at the Fort Mill YMCA.
2. The second is on the 24th at the Tega Cay Fire Station.
3. Finally, the blood mobile will be at the lacrosse jamboree on January 31st.

Bunko

One of the Lake Shore in Tega Cay Women’s Bunko groups is planning a Bunko game to support Connor on Jan 27th at 7pm at the Tega Cay Glennon Center.

McKemey Lacrosse Jamboree

Connor is a huge lacrosse player.  As the result of Connor’s love for lacrosse, key people from his lacrosse family have come together to create the McKemey Lacrosse Jamboree. This event will be 12 hours of non-stop lacrosse. All proceeds will be going to the McKemey Family Trust Fund.
Where: Fort Mill HS Fields
When: Saturday, January 31, 2009 9AM to 9 PM
Who: This event is open to the entire community. No prior lacrosse experience required.
Cost: $40 per player in advance $50 per player day of event
Player Registration (required): All players may signup via our website: www.mckemeylaxjamboree.org. Or you can register on site the day of the event.
Banner Sponsorship: $500. And the event organizers need event volunteers. Click to look or download a a PDF .

I have also heard talk about a golf fund raising tournament. And I am sure there is more I may have missed. If so use the comment section below to post more fund raising events.

If you are interested in following Connor’s progress and future event announcement, Reid Lancaster created and maintains a Caring Bridge website for Connor. The site has had more than 59,000 visits so far. Visit the site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mckemey. You may aslo leave a donation online at the Caring Bridge site.

And of course our prayers and thoughts are with the Mckemey family daily. Keep up the good work  Tega Cay, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill supporters.Random Posts:

• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update June 27, 2008
• Century 21 April Open House Contest
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Feb 19 2009
• York County SC Tourism Video
• Tega Cay Real Estate 1st Half Home Sales Comparisons 2007 To 2008

• Post Red Ribbons For Connor McKemey’s Homecoming
• McKemey Strong Gears Up For Wristband Fundraiser
• McKemey Strong Wirstband Are Now On Sale
• Two New Hospitals in Fort Mill?
• Fort Mill Lacrosse Club Adds a Girls Team