When I visit other places, I don't really care about architecture or landmarks. I want to meet people. I yawned through the Louvre, but I had quite a thrill participating in a worker's rally in the middle of Paris. I'm not sure what we were protesting, but it was fun anyway. People are what make the place, at least for me.

That's why I love Moore County. We have some really cool people, and I want to introduce you to a few of them. None of these people have any idea that I'm writing about them, so please feel free to tell them I did. That would be fun to watch. In separate blogs, I will introduce one or two people at a time.

Charlie McWilliams

Charlie is one of my heroes. Born in the New Jersey/New York area, Charlie has known both privilege and poverty. We met through the Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) when he was a banker with First Bank. Charlie is one of those guys that you want to have around if you're ever in a burning building. He's not particularly assertive or physically imposing, but if he said, "Follow me," you would. He has such a quiet strength and calm demeanor. Both traits are polar opposites of myself, which is probably why I like him. Charlie has always been the guy I go to for business advice, not just because he's knowledgeable, but because he cares enough to tell the truth. I haven't always followed his advice, but I later wished I did. The great thing about Charlie, though, was he was there for me with a pat on the back, a kick in the rump and a story of one of his own failures. We all have failures. Some of us more than others. The goal in life is not to avoid failure, but to grow past them into success.

Thanks, Charlie, for leading the way.

When Dan isn't busy telling Charlie about a crazy new business idea, he sells real estate with Fore Properties. He can be reached at 910-528-7003 or Dan@DanAskins.com.

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Below is a list of some of my favorite eating spots for lunch in Moore County. They are in no particular order.

Please feel free to add to the list.

My Favorite Lunch Spots

Squire's Pub. I hate fast food. I refuse to eat it, unless there is absolutely no other alternative. When I'm in a hurry, I call ahead to Squire's Pub and ask for the loaded baked potato with steak and mushrooms. With tip, it's about $8, and I get a great meal faster than a trip around the Mickey D's drive through.

Panera Bread. They made it on my breakfast list, too. I like to get the half sandwich and cup of soup, especially the potato or french onion. The service is excellent, the food is good and fast. They also have a great grilled cheese sandwich for kids.

Corfu's. You've got to try their pan-seared grouper with lemon caper cream sauce. My mouth waters just typing the description. If the weather is nice, I like to sit outside and imagine I'm in some little Mediterranean seaside village. The funeral home across the street brings me back to reality, but the food is still awesome. I usually order water and come out for less than $10 with tip.

Caterino's. I am a Southerner. A good ol' boy redneck from South Carolina. I honestly did not know that people drank unsweet tea until I was in college. The very idea...Imagine the culture shock I received when I met real live Yankee restaurant owners here in Moore County. Nick Caterino is one of those guys. He is a little brazen, but underneath that tough exterior is one mighty fine baker and sandwich maker. His bread is baked fresh daily and the portions would choke a horse. Even I can't finish the meal. Sometimes. I just let them build me a sandwich. They're all good. The Philly is amazing. The Meatball sub comes in bread that has this impossibly thin layer of crunchy goodness that gives way to a chewy center. (He also makes some pretty good homemade wine.)

Eastwood Diner. Remember that part about being Southern? This is where I go to get back to my roots. Eastwood Diner is one of the few places in Moore County that I order tea. And I don't have to tell them sweet, either. Their buffet will make your tongue slap your forehead, trying to lick your lips. Fried chicken, collards, sweet potatoes, banana pudding (pronounced nanner puddin'). This is absolute paradise for only $8.

When Dan isn't stuffing his face, he sells real estate in the Moore County area with Fore Properties.

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I have lived here since 1992. That almost makes me a native. :) Perhaps I am a prototype of sorts for people who live here.

For starters, I wasn't born here. Most people, in the lower half of Moore County anyway, immigrated from some other place. The fact that I actually moved North (Hartsville, SC is my home) is a bit strange, however. Most people come here from cooler climes, such as NY, MI, NJ and OH. I am in a minority in my own backyard!

That's part of what I like, though. It's fun to see so many different people from such a variety of backgrounds. I had the same feeling when I started college at Clemson. Prior to attending that lofty place of higher education, I had never even heard of a bagel. Or unsweetened iced tea. The very idea... Now I order my latte and a bagel at Panera with ease. I don't even drink tea that much anymore (except at Eva's Diner and Eastwood Diner).

Yes the Yanks have imported some nice things. And they have left a lot of the not-so-nice things behind, for the most part. Traffic, bad attitudes, cold weather, high taxes. North Carolina rests about halfway between New York and Florida. In fact, South of the Border is almost exactly halfway between Palm Beach and Long Island. Perhaps there is more to this centrist idea...

We don't have extreme anything. We're a blended family. The rest of the country could learn a thing or two here, couldn't they? It is amazing to me how well people get along. I attended a Christmas party the other night, and there were rednecks like me, some people from Colombia and even some foreigners from New York. ;-) We had a blast!!

So let's hear it for Moore County. Home of the blended family.

Dan loves to tell his clients about Moore County as a Realtor with Fore Properties.

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