Waterfront

spring 2013

li v i n g b o at i n g fishing dream ing

Wood

Buildingwith

State Port Looks at Growth One Pellet at a Time

The Golf Coast

Taking a Swing in Eastern North Carolina

Day Tripper

Visiting Wilmington & the Azalea Festival

Also Inside: Know the Ropes | On the Waterfront | Events Calendar & More FREE

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contents

m a g a z i n e Published by: NCCOAST Communications Phone: 252.247.7442 • 800.525.1403 201 N. 17th Street, Morehead City, NC 28557 nccoast.com

Vol. 7, Issue #1 .......................................................SPRING 2013

Publisher James Conners

Managing Editor Amanda Dagnino (editor@nccoast.com)

Staff Writer Josh Lambert

Sales Director

Account Executives

Jamie Bailey 252.241.9485 (sales@nccoast.com) Jasa Lewis 252.648.1272 Anne Riggs 252.725.9114 Ashly Willis 252.342.2334

Creative Director

Layout/Design

Graphics

Kim LaChance (kim@nccoast.com) Erin Pallotti Kyle Dixon Mimi Guthrie

Rudy Taitague Skip Hicks Allen Henry Anthony Stamper Edd Moore Jason Yates Rudy Taitague

Distribution Manager Dorrie Nicholson Distribution/Mail Center Tina Best

Pre-Press Corey Giesey

Business Manager Georgia Lewis

Commercial Print Andrea Vangelist Amy Krysa

There is a lot to look forward to on the Crystal Coast, including the Beaufort Music Festival, St. Patrick’s Day in Emerald Isle, the Newport Pig Cookin’ and more.

8

MAKING WAVES

The NC State Port of Morehead City raises support and concerns with a potential wood pellet project.

14 HAPPY LANDINGS

Operations Director Cristie Penland

Production Director Lead Pressman/Mail Center

Pressman

Commercial Press

Bindery Leader

Bindery Operator

8

6 ON THE WATERFRONT

The pleasant weather and abundance of courses make golfing a popular draw for the Crystal Coast and the surrounding area.

14

20 DAY TRIPPER

Wilmington celebrates spring with the 66th annual Azalea Festival.

12

23 ON THE HORIZON

The NC Maritime Museum brings wooden boats to Beaufort.

24 KNOW THE ROPES

Get to know North Carolina’s boating safety and regulations.

Rippling Through

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NCCOAST Waterfront Magazine is distributed in four issues a year to select marinas, marine-related shops, visitor centers, advertiser locations and other high-traffic sites throughout North Carolina, and is also available by request at nccoast.com. See below for subscription information. Entire contents, ad and graphic design and nccoast.com copyright 2013 by NCCOAST Communications.

Reproduction of any portion of this publication or its website without the publisher’s written consent is strictly prohibited.

Information is as accurate as possible at presstime.

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n the waterfront

Irish Holiday Graces Emerald Isle

Each spring, the small coastal village of Emerald Isle flies its Irish flag with the area’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration. A town of roughly 4,000 residents, it sees an influx of vacationers every season, but March undoubtedly brings in the most people for the celebration and festivities of the Irish holiday.

Slated from 9am-6pm on Saturday, March 16, the festival is in its 22nd year and shows no signs of slowing, drawing an average of 15,000-20,000 people each year. It will be a day of fun, food, live music and much more for the entire family to enjoy. Held in the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center and sponsored in part by Transportation Impact, admission and parking are always free.

This year’s festival will feature more than 75 arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, a petting zoo, amusement rides, clowns and static displays, face painters, a climbing wall and many other fun family-oriented activities. As always, the festival will feature delicious foods such as corned beef and cabbage, shrimp burgers, hamburgers and hot dogs, Mediterranean cuisine, barbeque, funnel cakes, fried peanuts, cotton candy and more. Festival goers can also enjoy a beer garden, and a variety of craft vendors.

The popular Little Mr. and Miss Leprechaun Contest takes center stage at 11am, where children ages 2-3 and 4-5 are judged on the originality and creativity of their costumes and stage presence. While every contestant wins a small prize, the top winners receive a $50 savings bond. Preregistration for the leprechaun contest is required by noon on Friday, March 15 and can be done by filling out a form at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation or by printing a form from emeraldisle-nc.org/ stpats and dropping it by their office. Because the festival will be busy, no registration can be handled the morning of the event.

As a bonus from the sponsors, the Transportation Impact No. 43 Ford Fusion will be present at this year’s Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival. The locally-owned small business made its NASCAR debut at the Pocono 400 in June of 2012 and maintains an associate sponsorship with Richard Petty Motorsports.

Representatives from the Petty Family Foundation will also

be on hand.

To learn more about the St. Patrick’s celebration, call 252354-6350 or visit www.emeraldislestpatricksfestival.com.

Newport Pig Cookin’ Turns 35

As the country’s largest whole hog barbeque cooking competition, the Newport Pig Cookin’ Contest brings out some friendly competition and puts the small town of Newport on the culinary radar. This year’s competition is held from 4-11pm on Friday, April 5 and 8am-5:30pm on Saturday, April 6 at the Newport Community Park.

Folks in Eastern North Carolina consider barbeque to be a serious business, which is certainly true in Newport. This annual event has helped to raise more than $700,000 for the community, benefitting school programs, churches, scout groups, sports teams and many more.

Drawing more than 10,000 people each year, the Newport Pig Cookin’ is complete with amusement rides, live music and entertainment, vendors and an abundance of Carolina barbeque. Roughly 70 hogs are cooked by teams from around the country all trying to claim top honors from the judges. As the chefs begin to arrive with their elaborate grills in tow on Friday, the sweet smell of barbeque pork begins to fill the air.

Although judging does not take place until Saturday morning, there are still plenty of activities and events to keep everyone busy Friday evening, including rides, crafts and live music from Cold Biscuit and The Extraordinaires. An awards ceremony is scheduled from 1:30-2:30pm on Saturday, and the event rounds out with an Elvis impersonator and a concert from Seaside Band that afternoon.

“You can expect us to produce the best barbeque you will ever eat and we look forward to meeting people from different states that have heard about us and what we do for the communities,” said Jim Bristle, president of the organization.

Admission and parking are free for the event and food service begins at 11am on Saturday. Barbecue plates are $7 each and bulk pork is $7 per pound when available. There are no pets, concealed weapons or alcoholic beverages allowed at the festival. To find out more about the event, visit www.newportpigcooking.com.

Kevin Geraghty Photo

|

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Show Me the Boats

There is no better way to find out about boats and boating than a boat show where enthusiasts can find out all there is to offer and see what new goodies are in store. Whether purchasing your first boat, looking to go bigger or are just daydreaming about doing either, Eastern North Carolina has it covered with two shows to fulfill any boater’s needs.

To kick things off, Oriental plays host to the annual In-Water Boat Show from April 12-14 at the Pecan Grove Marina. The event is free to attend and runs from noon to 6pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday. This annual show features more than 60 vendors representing new and used boats, varied maritime products and services and more.

While Oriental is a somewhat distant destination for much of the boating community, last year’s attendance of more than 1,700 set a new show record. Nearly all boats imaginable – sail or power, fishing or cruising, kayak or yacht – are available, so expect to find a good selection at a good price.

The focus then shifts to Morehead City for the 6th annual Crystal Coast Boat Show May 18-19, promoting one of the most popular recreational activities in the area. This free annual event is sponsored by the Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association (DMCRA) and continues to expand its horizons each year, bringing a variety of vendors from all facets of the marine industry together for a two-day show in downtown Morehead City. New and used boats line the waterfront both in and out of the water while booths showcase marine products and services, outdoor gear, tackle, guide services, conservation groups and much more.

The event also includes an antique car show on Saturday, a treasure hunt, live music and ARTrageous – held in partnership with the Arts Council of Carteret County and featuring more than 50 regional, juried artists showing off their work in booths along the waterfront. A Pirate Treasure Hunt allows children 12 and under to frolic around Sugarloaf Island in search of loot. The cost is $5 per child with adult accompaniment. Another fun event associated with the boat show is the Regional Rotary Club Cornhole contest that takes place on Sunday.

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For more information on the Oriental boat show, visit orientalboatshow.com. For information on the Morehead City event, call 252-808-0440 or visit www.crystalcoastboatshow.com.

25 Years of Music in Beaufort

Every year on the second weekend in May the charming streets of historic downtown Beaufort are filled with song and dance as the Beaufort Music Festival kicks off a weekend of live music for everyone to enjoy. The festival celebrates its 25th birthday on Friday and Saturday, May 10-11 with two days of live performances adorning the festival’s outdoor stages beginning at 5pm on Friday and noon on Saturday. Everyone is invited to come partake in the sights, sounds, food and entertainment during this fun filled spring event.

The town is packed on Friday and Saturday with bands performing for free and an entertaining children’s area. There are two main stages on Front Street, with a smaller stage at the Beaufort Historic Site providing entertainment throughout the day on Saturday for children to enjoy and performances from local entertainers. With the two main stages catering to music lovers of everything from rock to blues and jazz to country, this popular event provides a diverse offering that has something for all music buffs to appreciate.

As the festival comes to a finish, look out for Beaufort’s restaurants and nightspots as they usually offer their own live music, allowing folks to dance well into the night. These are also great places to possibly have a run in with some of the scheduled performers, who are ready to enjoy the festive event as well.

Planned for the same weekend, visitors to the musical festival will also have the opportunity to follow along as artists compete in the annual mural competition on Saturday afternoon.

Sanctioned by Beaufort Sister Cities, Inc., the winner of the contest is provided with a trip to France as Beaufort’s entry to the International Mural Competition held annually in Beauforten-Vallee.

As always, the family-friendly BMF is free to attend. Fundraising events held throughout the year make the event possible, as well as contributions from area businesses and private donors. To make a donation or learn more about the festival, visit www.beaufortmusicfestival.com. WF

NCCOAST COMMUNICATIONS |

M aking waves

Building with

Wood

New Proposal for Port Raises Concerns

L

By Josh Lambert

Leaders from the state and regional areas have been actively working for several months to develop plans for a considerably large project at the NC State Port at Morehead City. A wood pellet handling facility has been proposed for the port, which could result in more jobs but also more rail cars and train traffic. The project would bring wood pellets produced by nearby plants to be exported from the eastern parts of North Carolina to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe via the state ports in Morehead City and Wilmington.

Initially, these wood pellets would be used by British consumers to produce electricity and the economic impact from providing this service could be significant for the state of North Carolina. The pellets would come from the forests of the state’s tidal plain areas, involving loggers, truckers and pellet producing factories, all from within the state.

The pellets themselves are small, resembling rabbit feed, and are formed out of liquefied wood fiber that is heated and condensed into small cylindrical objects. Typically, the pellets do not require any artificial or added binders because they use a natural glue found in the wood – lignin. The lignin reorganizes itself in the manufacturing process, holding the fibers together in the form of pellets, which are then dehydrated.

This product is easier to distribute than most commodities, as it is easily transportable in rail cars, trucks and ships.

There are also machines that can be used for loading and |

discharging the pellets. They can be used directly by end users, such as in homes using fire stoves for heat, or resourced on a much larger scale. For instance, pellets used at electrical power generation stations are usually crushed for best combustion to make steam, driving turbines that create electricity.

Many industrial nations and the European community adopted measures in the 1997 Kyoto Protocols to lessen emissions and their carbon footprint from industrialization. Wood pellets are considered carbon neutral; they burn cleanly and are a renewable source of energy. The Europeans want to see the pellets produced in Eastern North Carolina because of the close proximity of the state ports, as there are restrictions to how far from the ports the wood fiber material should be collected. According to the Kyoto Protocols, potential clients are only satisfied when the renewable wood fiber is collected without having any adverse impacts to the environment.

“Morehead City obviously has a stake in the port activities being that it’s right here in our backyard,” said Mike Wagoner, president of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce.

“My understanding is that there would be no manufacturing at the port. The pellets would arrive and be stored, loaded onto ships and exported to Europe.”

In a meeting last October, state officials presented details on the planned wood pellet facility during a joint meeting of continued on page 10

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continued from page 8

However, Littman did say there were talks among the Morehead City Council and county commissioners at the the NC Dept. of TransCrystal Coast Civic Center. The meeting included officials portation about ulfrom Beaufort and Atlantic Beach and representatives from timately having a county tourism agencies, business interest groups and en- second route for vironmental organizations. It was led by NC Ports Authority the train tracks, Director Tom Bradshaw who gave a PowerPoint presentation paralleling the about the project, the port and the findings of a state study new Hwy 70 of maritime industry opportunities that illustrate a growing by-pass that demand for wood pellets in Europe as a renewable energy comes into source during the next ten years.

Havelock, The process would involve collecting the wood material and then from lots or forests and transporting it by truck to local fa- p a r a l l e l cilities that produce the actual pellets. They would then be ing the new loaded into covered rail cars and transported by train to one bridge comof the two designated ports, stored in large silos and eventu- ing across ally transferred to outbound ships headed to Europe.

G a l l a n t ’s According to the NC Port Authorities presentation, the Channel onto scale of the project is considerable; additional wood pellet Radio Island. manufacturing plants must be created to meet the increased “If they demand. Possible dredging and improvements to the port were to do that, would need to be made to support the docking of ships and it would help improduct storage, and the “development of the facilities to mensely,” he said. handle this project would help to modernize current faciliA group of roughties,” said Bradshaw. ly 75 covered railcars A rendering of the possible sows, or storage units, for need to be acquired storing the pellets has been proposed by the NC Ports Au- to move the material from Woo d Pellets thorities and can be seen online at www.ncports.com/port- plants to the ports. According of-morehead-city, along with Bradshaw’s entire presentation to Bradshaw’s estimates, there will from the October meeting. This conceptual drawing shows be anywhere from four dome warehouses, roughly 150 8,500 to 17,500 loaded rail cars makfeet tall and 250 feet in diameter, but ing their way to the port each year. the final design has yet to be deterAccording to the June 2012 Maritime mined.

Study only three trains a week cur“The drawings haven’t been exrently make it to Morehead via the actly accurate as far as what’s beNorth Carolina Railroad through New ing proposed,” said Neal Littman, Bern. general manager of the Morehead “They [NC Ports Authorities] said City Yacht Basin. “They [the sows] that the potential impact would be will dominate the skyline of the state an additional train a day, five or six port. They will be visible miles and times a week,” explained Wagoner. miles offshore. People didn’t want to “They are supposed to come back have oil drilling platforms offshore sometime this winter with more inforbecause it would ruin the sightline; mation from the railroad. I think that well, what’s this? This is right here.” their promise to the community was Neal Littman is not only the genthat ‘we’ll come back to you when we eral manager of a business directly have more information about this.’” beside the port, but a concerned According to Wagoner, the port tax-paying citizen as well. He raises authorities were unable to give an many different concerns and is able estimate about the traffic of logging to see the project from the standtrucks that would be hauling the point of both a businessman and wood from forests to the mills or how Carteret County local citizen. There have been quesmany jobs could possibly be created tions as to the effect the added train Chamber of Commerce for the transportation industry. traffic will have on Morehead City, “I think that’s one of the things that especially the downtown area in the community is concerned about. such close proximity to the port.

How many additional trains and “It will give us four times more trucks would be involved,” he said. train traffic than we have now; more than four times more “Our concern is that whatever they do be compatible with traffic,” said Littman. “It would be noisier, there will be more the tourism and water-based population.” trains, a more industrial level of activity in the neighborhood According to Bradshaw’s presentation, the wood pellet and there will be much longer traffic times coming and going project would have positive impacts to employment within the because no one has yet come up with a viable plan for the region. He estimated that as many as 588 direct and indirect railroad and traffic.” jobs could be created if this plan goes through. The ports

“Morehead City obviously has a stake in the port activities being that it’s right here in our backyard.”

Mike Wagoner

10 |

nccoast.com

and pellet facilities wouldn’t contribute to a direct increase in large numbers of employment, however, any positive impact for the region could be largely recognized when the operation is considered as a whole.

“The chamber hasn’t taken a position on wood pellets, per say, but we are very supportive of an investment in the port and I think they are committed to being good neighbors to the community. This project has the potential to be a long term, sustainable industry,” said Wagoner.

Littman feels differently about the estimated job creation in regards to the cost and repayment of the project in the long term, raising questions about the overall benefits of this endeavor.

“Locally, the numbers of jobs that would be created are relatively small given the sizeable impact that this is going to create. It’s not as noxious or as negative to us here at the marina as the sulfur plant was, but it’s something that if you look at the expenditure on the state’s part, have they really looked at how secure the income stream is or the long range payback for the expenditure of those funds? What’s going to happen when Europe wakes up and realizes ‘Hey, we can’t afford this,’” explained Littman.

The rail cars will require more than three truck loads of raw material. Thus, tens of thousands of tons of material will need to be collected and loaded onto trucks by loggers. This means that more loggers will be needed, along with equipment and trucks from all parts of the region. In-

creasing the number of truckers and mileage on the trucks results in more business for fueling stations, a demand for parts suppliers for the trucks and service providers from tires to truck repair and maintenance; the additional rail cars will also require maintenance, parts, services and workers.

The Morehead City Council sees this project in a positive light and looks forward to the economic impact they expect from the new industry; not only for the direct region, but for the state as a whole.

“I think it’s going to be an economic stimulus and provide some jobs here, but it can also help stimulate North Carolina.

We need to look at the big picture; we need to be able to help all of North Carolina and we can do our part,” explained continued on page 28

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NCCOAST COMMUNICATIONS | 11

D Wine & Dine own the hatch

on the Crystal Coast

Once a year, historic Beaufort explodes with flavor as the Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend welcomes celebrity chefs, winemakers and sommeliers to share their talents and expertise with the Crystal Coast.

From April 24-28, the festival showcases award-winning labels from select wineries and winemakers and irresistible food from local and regional celebrity chefs.

The five-day charitable event combines the public’s appreciation for wine and food with its drive to support worthy local organizations and culinary programs.

Some of the highlights of the Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend are the guest chefs and winemakers who bring the festival’s various events to life. With more than 18 different events showcasing the talents and expertise of individual guest chefs and winemakers it’s not hard to understand how the event has grown so quickly.

“The popularity of wine and food events has expanded over the years,” explains board member Wendy Park.

“Beaufort’s event continues to stand out from the rest because we choose the best award winning chefs and top scale winemakers and winery owners from around the country. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Historic Beaufort, this event is highlighted by of the quality of the chefs, winemakers, and the many unique events that are featured!”

Sniff and sip through wine tasting workshops, rub elbows with the chefs at exclusive receptions, take a cooking class, watch a fashion show and dance the night away at the Beer, Bubbles & BBQ bash at the Beaufort Historic Site – just about anything is possible during this busy weekend in Beaufort. Guests will have the chance to try wines from around the globe and break bread with noted winemakers and chefs through a variety of events.

Tickets to Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend events may be reserved by calling 252-7285225 and will be available for purchase online early February. For more information, sponsorship packages or questions about the event, visit www.beaufortwineandfood.com, email info@beaufortwineandfood.com or call 252-728-5225. WF

Schedule of Events Saturday, April 6

Artist’s Reception for Mike Hoyt 5-7pm, Free Location: Mattie King Davis Art Gallery 5-Course Beer Dinner 7pm, $56 per person Location: Clawson’s Restaurant Local Chef: James Clarkson Featured Brewery: Sierra Nevada

Wednesday, April 24

Opening Luncheon Noon, $35 per person | Noon Location: Circa 81 Local Chef: Clarke Merrell Guest Chef: Gerry Fong, Persimmons Restaurant, New Bern Guest Winery: Trinchero Family Estates Opening Reception at the Coral Bay Club 7-9pm, $40 in advance, $50 at the door Local Chefs: Patrick Hogan with Chris MaCauley & Tony Garnett Guest Chef: Vivian Howard, Chef and The Farmer Special Guest Winery: Trinchero Family Estates Bartender’s Cocktail Challenge 9pm, $25 per person Location: The Arendell Room

Thursday, April 25

Beer Luncheon 12:30-2pm, $40 per person Location: Queen Anne’s Revenge Restaurant Local Chef: Dave Saylor Featured Brewery: Carolina Brewery Blind Tasting Wine Seminar 1-2:30pm, $25 per person Location: The Boathouse at Front Street Village Winemaker Dinners 7pm, $95 per person Enjoy a four-course meal prepared by local and guest chefs paired with select wines from host vintners.

Locations include Aqua, The Boathouse at Front Street Village, Beaufort Grocery, Co., Channel Marker, Front Street Grill & Island Grille

Friday, April 26

Fashion Show Noon-2pm, $40 per person Location: The Boathouse at Front Street Village Local Chef: Cole Mills Guest Chef: Sheri Castle

Around the World with Wine 1pm, $25 per person Location: NC Maritime Museum Featuring national and international winemakers.

Wine, Bread, Cheese and MORE 3-5pm, $35 per person Location: NC Maritime Museum Guest Winemaker: Steve Tylicki, Steele Cheesemonger: Sasha Shredder Guest Baker: Lionel Vatinet of La Farm Bakery Celebrity Grand Gala and Auction 6-10:30pm, $110 per person Location: Beaufort Historic Site Music by: Risse Enjoy perfect wine and food pairings by local and guest chefs, winemakers and wine distributors. Mingle with chefs and winemakers and dance the night away.

Saturday, April 27

Vin de Mer Grand Tasting & Culinary Village 12:30-4:30pm, $60 per person Location: NC Maritime Museum Participating restaurants include Amos Mosquito’s, Aqua, Beaufort Grocery Co., The Boathouse at Front Street Village, Blue Moon Bistro, The Cedars Inn & Restaurant, The Channel Marker, Chefs 105, Circa 81, Clawson’s, The Coral Bay Club, McCurdys, Island Grille, Front Street Grill at Stillwater, Queen Anne’s Revenge and Beaufort Grocery Too, and more.

Historic Homes Vintner’s Receptions 6-7:30pm, $75 Three locations to choose from.

Beer Bubbles and BBQ 7:30-10:30pm, $60 per person Location: NC Maritime Museum Music: Lizzy Ross Band Pit Masters: Roland Humphrey, Roland’s BBQ, Beaufort, Charles Park, CEC, Beaufort Grocery Too and more.

Sunday, April 28

Celebration Brunch Noon-2pm, $60 per person Location: Beaufort Historic Site Music: Blue Moon Guest Chef: Sheri Castle Local Chefs: Charles & Wendy Park of Beaufort Grocery Co. Winemaker: Moët and Chandon

For tickets, or additional information, visit www.beaufortfoodandwine.com or call 252-728-5225.

All events are subject to change due to the varied schedules of the guest chefs and winemakers.

Tickets are nonrefundable as this is an event for charity. Attendees must be 21 or older.

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NCCOAST COMMUNICATIONS | 13

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appy Landings

Golf Continues to be a Draw Along the Coast

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Summon your inner Jack Nicklaus and tee off at one of the many first-rate courses around the Crystal Coast. With more than 500 golf courses across the state, North Carolina is a popular destination for die-hard golfers. And the Crystal Coast, with its temperate climate, seaside terrain and scenic nature, is a large part of the appeal for golfers in the coastal plains.

Whether it’s coastal marshes and sand dunes or farmland and forest, the Crystal Coast has varying terrain that creates a magnificent canvas for any golf architect. Many famous golf course professionals and designers have lent their talents and expertise to mold seaside landscapes into breathtaking fairways and greens, all helping to produce championship courses and many memorable holes.

“I’ve been golfing on courses all across the state and the country and to be quite honest, some of the best golfing is right here in our backyard,” said Stephen Baker, Newport resident and avid golfer.

The courses here blend seamlessly with the nature surrounding them, possessing views of the ocean, inlets or sounds and the Intracoastal Waterway. The courses more further inland are set amongst towering pines, pristine forests and coastal marshes. It is not unusual for a foursome to be joined by herons, deer and other wildlife on courses only miles away from the pristine beaches.

The natural aesthetics of the area is illustrated throughout all the courses on the Crystal Coast, providing a serene environment for total relaxation – that is unless you hit that pond or one of the many wooded areas

14 |

where a ball could be lost in the abyss.

“The only real difference here is the breeze – the wind. The effect of the ocean breeze comes into play a lot more here than it would in Fayetteville or Pinehurst or Charlotte, and so on,” said Scott King, general manager of Brandywine Bay Golf Course in Morehead City.

“But, the ocean breeze is something folks should enjoy along with the beautiful scenery.”

Swing enthusiasts shouldn’t mistake the golf scene around the coast as simple or overly relaxing – there are many demanding holes throughout the area, with some being so challenging that even the most seasoned golfers keep returning to try and lower their handicap. Most courses in the area were designed with both the professional and beginning golfer in mind, allowing even the first-timers to enjoy a day out on the links at any one of the nearby courses.

“Also, in general there aren’t the crowds. If you want to play with a bunch of your buddies, you don’t want to go to Myrtle Beach because someone will be right behind you all day,” said King. “If you come here with a bachelor party of five guys you can all play together. That would never happen in Myrtle Beach.”

Standard courses in the area offer top quality services and club houses, so take a break between the ninth and tenth holes to grab a snack or drop in after finishing up the round for a beer and meal. Explore the pro shops and find the best the game has to offer in clubs, clothing, shoes and everything else needed to live the golfing lifestyle. With sub-tropical weather, golfers are lured here year round. But perhaps the best time to hit the links is the spring and fall, when the temperatures cool and the beach crowds return home, leaving less people to hinder the game. Golfing on the Crystal Coast is something that all visitors should enjoy, so try one of the

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a lot of activities that you can build golf into as part of your vacation time here.”

Here are some of the courses in the area available for public play, with many offering membership opportunities:

courses or plan a week and try them all. Keep in mind that most courses require scheduled tee-times, so it is best to call ahead.

“One of the best parts about being a golfer here in Eastern North Carolina is that you can play pretty much all year long, especially if the winter is mild. It allows for a sport that is usually seasonal to be played much longer than in most places further inland,” said Baker.

“The thing I like most about golfing on the coast here is the temperature and the weather. It’s the exception when you can’t play [golf] year round,” King agreed. “I think the pricing is practical.

One of the things about coming here to the Crystal Coast is that there are so many things for families to participate in. There are still

Morehead City: The Brandywine Bay Golf and Country Club is a semi-private, beautifully sculpted course. About 6,500 yards from the championship tees, the course is a rewarding challenge for golfers of any skill level. Their four sets of tees will accommodate beginners as well as more skilled patrons. A mix of water and sand hazards keeps any golfer on their toes. Fees range from $25 to $35 with memberships available. Call 252-247-2541 for tee times.

Pine Knoll Shores: The Country Club of the Crystal Coast is wonderful course near the sands of the beaches. A semi-private course nestled along the Bogue Sound that was designed through sand dunes, around lakes and through the Maritime Forest. The course features 5,923 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. Rates include golf, cart and tax and range from $35 to $58 for 18 holes. Call 252-726-1034 to reserve a tee time.

Cape Carteret: Silver Creek Golf Club was designed by Gene Hamm Design and offers a breathtaking layout stretching across 7,005 yards, and the outstanding design gives all levels of golfers a fair and challenging test. The rates range from $35 to $50, depending on the season and time of day, and include the use of a cart. A pro shop, snack bar, pool, tennis courts, a practice green and driving range area are available. Call for tee time at 252-393-8058.

Star Hill Golf Club has a 27-hole championship layout, offering continued on page 19

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T

ournament trail

Swansboro Rotary Hosts its First Tourney of the Year

The first NC Governor’s Cup Series tournament along the Crystal Coast comes in the form of the 33rd annual Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Bluewater Tournament, part of the club’s annual fishing series.

Previously, the tournament was combined with the King Mackerel Tournament, however, the two events split in 2010 with the Bluewater Tournament taking Memorial Day and the king mackerel tourney marking the calendar in October.

The first tournament in the series is planned for May 24-26 with weigh-ins at Big Rock Landing in Morehead City and Casper’s Marina in Swansboro.

“It just made sense,” said David Nance, who serves on the organizational board. “Fishing on Memorial Day for king mackerel had consistently gotten weaker and in October the king mackerel are here – even off the beach. Moving the tournament really opened it up so anyone could fish. It was a good move for us.”

And it certainly hasn’t hurt attendance at the Memorial Day event.

On average, Nance said the club sees 50-60 boats in the water. Last year, anglers released eight blues and seven whites.

Since the series began, the Swansboro Rotary has given more than $730,000 in scholarship in Carteret and Onslow County, in addition to offering support to the Take-A-Kid Fishing Foundation.

And that, said Nance, is really what it’s all about.

“It’s an extreme amount of work but the Rotarians love getting together and doing it – we love putting it on,” Nance said. “And we’ve had 33 years of wonderful fishing on the Crystal Coast. It doesn’t get any better than that!”

To learn more, visit www.swansbororotary.com.

TOURNAMENT TRAIL Big fish, big money, big excitement…

MAY

3-4: Reelin’ For Research. Charity fishing tournament in Morehead City for UNC Children’s Hospital Research Division. The entry fee is $1,000.

Details: reelinforresearch.org or info@reelinforresearch.org.

8-11: Boy Scout Gulf Stream Open. This Wrightsville Beach billfish tournament sees lines in the water for two out of three fishing days to help raise funds for the Boy Scouts of America. Details: www. bsagulfstreamopen.org. *15-18: Hatteras Village Offshore Open. The annual kick off for the NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament brings prizes for marlin releases and weigh-ins for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Details: 1-757-287-4932.

18-19: JWR Gaffer Dolphin Tournament. With boundaries from Hatteras to Morehead City, this contest for billfish, wahoo, tuna and cobia includes women’s and youth divisions. Details: www.hillsboroughsfc.com. *24-26: Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Bluewater Tournament. NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament with prizes for marlin releases and weigh-ins for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Weigh-ins at Big Rock Landing in Morehead City and Casper’s Marina in Swansboro. Details: 252-422-9100 or www.kingbluewater.com. *29-June 1: Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament. NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament set in Wrightsville Beach with prizes for marlin releases and weigh-ins for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Details: 910-262-5566 or www.capefearbluemarlintournament.com.

JUNE

*7-15: Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament with prizes for marlin releases and weigh-ins for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Total prize money tops $1 million. Weigh-ins on the Morehead City waterfront. Details: 252-247-3575 or www.thebigrock.com.

16-22: Invitational Blue Marlin Release Tournament. Tuna, dolphin and wahoo weigh-ins daily during this five-day event at the Hatteras Marlin Club. Details: 252-986-2454 or www.hatterasmarlinclub.com.

21-22: CCCF Spanish Mackerel/Dolphin Fishing Tournament. Carteret Community College Foundation tourney helps raise funds for college programs and scholarships. Weigh-in is slated at The Boathouse in Beaufort, a sponsor of the event. Details: Wes Daniels, 252-222-6222.

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JULY

*10-13: Hatteras Grand Slam Billfish Tournament. Raising awareness of the offshore billfish fishing in Hatters during the summer, this tournament continues to grow with each passing year. Details: 252-986-2500, www. hatterasgrandslam.com. *18-20: Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament. NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament set on the Beaufort waterfront with prizes for marlin releases and weigh-ins for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Kid-friendly event offers low entry fees, trophies instead of prize money and junior angler prizes. Details: 252-808-2286 or www.bartabillfish.com. *25-27: Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish Tag and Release Tournament.

NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament with prizes for marlin releases and weigh-ins for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Weigh-ins at Big Rock Landing on the Morehead City waterfront. Details: 252-814-4896.

26-27: Oriental Rotary Club Tarpon Tournament. More than 20 years old, this tournament helps raise funds for regional college scholarships.

Details: www.orientalrotary.org.

AUGUST

*12-16: Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament, NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament in Manteo with prizes for marlin releases and weigh-ins for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Details: 252-473-1015 or www.pcbgt.com.

SEPTEMBER

12-14: Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Tournament. Presented by Blue Water Promotions, this annual tournament is headquartered in the Atlantic Station Shopping Center. Details: www.bluewaterpromo.com.

28-Oct. 5: Flounder Surf Fishing Tournament. Free registration. All flounder must be caught on foot (surf, pier, inlet or sound) from Fort Macon to Emerald Isle. Sponsored by the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Dept. and The Reel Outdoors. Details: 252-354-6350.

OCTOBER

19-Nov. 2: Gordie McAdams Speckled Trout Surf Fishing Tournament.

Free registration. All trout must be caught on foot (surf, pier, inlet or sound) from Fort Macon to Emerald Isle. Sponsored by the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Dept. Details: 252-354-6350.

*Indicates a Governor’s Cup Billfishing Tournament

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continued from page 15

players the choice to play one of three nine hole, par 36 courses. shop. The course is located at 465 Carolina Pines Blvd., New Bern, These courses include The Sands Nine, The Pines Nine and The and rates range from $22 to $33 for 18 holes; memberships availLakes Nine. Championship yardage measures more than 6,500 able. Call 252-444-1000 to reserve a tee time. yards. Facilities include the Champions Club Jacksonville: On Gum Branch Road is and the Grill Room for meals and social gathRock Creek Golf and Country Club. Designed erings. Rates range from $39 to $69; member“One of the best parts by Jerry Turner and Associates, Rock Creek ships are available. Call 252-393-8111 to reboasts an 18-hole, 7,102-yard, par 72 champiabout being a golfer onship golf course. Lakes have been created serve a tee time.

Beaufort: The North River Golf Club has strategic locations; fairways are wide, long here in Eastern North at a championship layout that stretches 7,200 and lush with 419 Bermuda grass, with the Carolina is that you can first nine being lined with loblolly pines, while yards from the back tees for a par of 72. Featuring five sets of tee boxes, the course is Jensen Dwarf greens offer a polished and play pretty much all the enjoyable for golfers of all ability levels. The manicured putting surface year round on elcourse features expansive waste bunkers year long, especially evated and undulated greens. Rates range from $15 to $33. Call 910-324-5151 to reserve that enhance the visual- appeal of the course, if the winter is mild. It tee times or find out more information. while lakes and ponds, have been created to Trail Golf Club on Harris Creek Road bring water into play on seven holes. Rates for allows for a sport that is aBear par 72 championship course designed 18 holes, including cart, range from $35 and higher; memberships are available. Call 252is usually seasonal by Rusty Simmons of Simmons Golf Designs, Orlando, Fla., and Gene Daniel of Blackwater 728-5525 for tee times and information. to be played much Golf and features professionally shaped and New Bern: The Emerald Golf Club has been greens and fairway features. The lauded as one of the top 50 courses in the longer than in most constructed site has a pro shop and driving range to help Southeast by Golf Weekly. Its 6,924 yards has a 73.8 rating from the back tees and a 71.8 ratplaces further inland.” golfers hone their skills before the big game.

Call 910-346-8160 for more information. ing from the blue. Grasses are mixed to create Havelock: The Links at Plantation Harbor color variations that give depth and dimension to the course. Bunkers and hazards have been sculpted to mix vari- is a privately owned golf course that offers lifetime memberships, ety with the element of surprise. Fees are between $40 and $56 and as well as daily access to the public. The par 72 course offers a beautiful 18 holes over 6,200 plus yards. The clubhouse offers a all rates include cart fee. Call 252-633-4440 for tee times.

Carolina Pines Golf and Country Club offers an 18-hole champi- pro shop, snack bar, banquet facilities and golf club rentals for onship course nestled among magnolias, azaleas, tall Carolina pines adults and children, as well as a driving range and practice green. and waterways carved by nature’s hand. The facilities include prac- Rates range from $18 to $28; memberships are available. Call 252tice putting and chipping greens, a driving range, restaurant and pro 444-4653 for more information. WF

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What do up and comers The Avett Brothers and retro Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd have in common? Ok, sure, they do both have long hair and a penchant for telling like it is. And both will also take to the stage as part of North Carolina’s largest annual festival, the 66th annual NC Azalea Festival, set to take over Wilmington April 10-14.

In keeping with the festival’s planned growth, the concerts this year will be held outdoors at Cape Fear Community College, allowing for larger crowds. “We are excited about our new partnership with Cape Fear Community College,� said Donna Cameron, president of the 2013 festival. “This new venue allows the concerts to be enjoyed by all in beautiful downtown Wilmington, with a more centralized feel of the Festival. In doing so, this has allowed us to offer more tickets to enjoy national artists performing in our community at an affordable price.�

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs at 7pm on Thursday, April 11 while The Avett Brothers perform at 7pm on Friday, April 12. Tickets are $45 per show and can be purchased at www.ncazaleafestival.org.

It’s one of the many events visitors can look forward to as the festival marks the official beginning of spring for the Port City. Their shelf life is limited, but when the azaleas are blooming along the North Carolina coast it is indeed a sight to behold, and Wilmington, with its array of beautiful gardens and historic homes, is an ideal setting in which to enjoy their beauty. The first festival was held in 1948 with the gardens at peak bloom. Each year since the festival has welcomed spring with true Southern fashion and fanfare. “Each April, a full week of the natural beauty of the azaleas, bigname entertainment, festive galas, fun family events and Southern

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Where Every Event is hospitality come together to showcase the charms of the Wilmington community,� said Cameron. “Whether it is music, garden or home tours, a boxing competition, a Praisefest, a parade or the circus, there truly is something for everybody. Fun times with family, friends and neighbors await you at the 2013 NC Azalea Festival.�

From the grand queen’s coronation and homes tour to the coin show and street fair, the abundance of special events surrounding the week-long festivities are diverse indeed. Packed with live entertainment, art, parties and gala affairs it is indeed a treat for the entire family, complete with period hoop skirts and drenched in Southern tradition.

Signature events include the Cape Fear Garden Club’s Azalea Garden Tour, one of the South’s longest-running and most popular garden tours. Celebrating its diamond jubilee (60 years) in 2013, the event features 12 gardens and Airlie Gardens, a 67acre historic garden with more than 100,000 azaleas. Good all three days, tickets are $20 and include a map for a self-guided tour with descriptions of each garden. Gardens are open 10am to 6pm daily. To learn more, visit www.azaleagardentour.org.

The Azalea Home Tour (April 13-14) showcases an array of Wilmington’s picturesque private homes and other sites of architectural interest. For home tour tickets visit www.historicwilmington.org.

The festival is highlighted on Saturday, April 13 by a two-hour parade in downtown Wilmington packed with azalea-covered continued on page 22

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Waterfront

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252-247-3883 or visit www.CrystalCoastCivicCtr.com NCCOAST COMMUNICATIONS | 21

continued from page 21

floats, marching bands, clowns, show animals, celebrities and always a few surprises.

Incorporated in 1739, Wilmington has long been a center for trade in North Carolina and is still home to one of the state’s two shipping ports, primarily because of its proximity to the Cape Fear River. Rich in history and just a hop, skip and jump from nearby Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington has a plethora to offer families looking for a weekend getaway. While in town, guests should be sure to check out Battleship North Carolina, Cameron Art Museum, Riverwalk & Chandler’s Wharf, the Bellamy Mansion and the Children’s Museum of Wilmington.

That is, of course, if the excitement of the Azalea Festival doesn’t fill every available minute during a visit. Drawing an estimated 300,000 visitors per year, the festival grows with each passing year, bringing more visitors than ever before an introducing them to the culture and laid back atmosphere that prevails in Wilmington and sharing a little Southern hospitality.

“Throughout the past 65 years the festival has grown to a fiveday long event and brings in over $50 million of new money each

22 |

year to the local economy,” said Cameron. “It’s through the hard work of the volunteers and community support that we have grown to a festival of this size and we are forever grateful to all of these individuals.”

To learn more about the NC Azalea Festival or to plan a trip to Wilmington, visit www.ncazaleafestival.org. WF

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O

n the horizon

Boat Show

& J

Building Contest

In Beaufort

Join artists and craftsmen as the NC Maritime Museum holds its annual Wooden Boat Show on Saturday, May 5. The event is celebrating its 39th year, and is one of the largest undertakings of the museum, bringing more than 5,000 visitors to the quiet streets of historic Beaufort. This small, calm fishing town will become home to 60-70 small wooden works of art – handmade boating vessels.

The wooden boats are on display from 10am-4pm combined with demonstrations of traditional skills, educational activities, boat models and the annual National Boat Building Challenge, which gives teams of two builders four hours to complete a 12 foot skiff. It’s always a fun experience to see these boat builders at work in their natural element, but sometimes the most fun is when it comes time to test the vessel’s seaworthiness.

Festivities roll to a close with a postshow reception and awards ceremony planned from 5-6pm at the Watercraft Center. To learn more about the event, to register a boat for the show or to purchase tickets, call 252-728-7317 or visit ncmaritimemuseum.org.

While thousands of visitors will flock to the Beaufort waterfront to take in the sights during the boat show, others are in attendance on the same day for a completely different reason. Fifteen to 20 teams of two will focus their efforts instead on building a wooden boat of their own – and doing it in the fastest time possible while retaining quality craftsmanship.

The challenge is an annual test of skills, endurance and carpentry that pits students, families and couples against each other for the coveted top award. With provided plans and supplies, pairs build a seaworthy skiff in four hours – and then take to the water for a speed competition to finalize their scores.

When the $100 registration fee is paid, teams are given the plans, allowing them to make practice boats prior to the contest if they want.

“They pay to register and they get their plans then. They can then go home and practice as much as they want before the competition, and they show up on the day of the competition with just their tools.

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Everything else is supplied by our sponsors,” said Susan Sanders, co-owner of Harbor Specialties in Beaufort, an event sponsor.

Competitors are judged on the length of time it takes to construct their vessel, the quality of their workmanship and the boat’s speed in a rowing contest.

“It is serious competition, but it’s a lot of fun, too,” she said. “People from Down East and all over the county come to see what’s going on, and a lot of them are competing, too.”

Now in its sixth year, Sanders is expecting more teams from area middle schools, high schools and community colleges, as well as a crew of private teams. For competitors in middle school, the wood is precut for safety purposes, but adults are only given the wood, the plans and a workspace. The high school teams will be competing amongst themselves for bragging rights and a trophy, according to Sanders.

“This is the first year that the high schools actually have a boat building program in the schools, so I think we’re going to see a new level of competition from the high school teams,” she said.

To keep costs to a minimal, Atlantic Veneer, primary sponsor of the event, donates the majority of the wood necessary for the competition and teams are required to bring their own tools. Additional sponsors help raise money for the tent rental, prize monies and necessary costs.

“My favorite thing about the challenge is that I’m always amazed at how many different ways there are to go about building the same boat. You never really know who is winning until the end of the competition. It is just unbelievable how each team goes about building their boat,” said Sanders.

First place winners take home a $500 prize, second place earns $300 and third place winners earn $200. Also, as Sanders pointed out, they have a new boat to enjoy and call their own.

To learn more about the challenge, or to register, contact Sanders at 252-241-4485 or visit www.beaufortchallenge.com. WF NCCOAST COMMUNICATIONS | 23

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Boating Legally and Safely in

North Carolina Waters

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THE ALL-SEASON COMFORT OF TRANE

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Thousands of boating enthusiasts take to the waterways of North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean to fish, sail, participate in water sports, snorkel and SCUBA dive, visit islands and spend time with the family.

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) enforces laws and regulations that everyone should observe to ensure the public is safe, responsible and free to enjoy boating throughout the state.

As of May 1, 2010, any person under the age of 26 must complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater. This course is offered online at www.boat-ed.com/northcarolina, www.boaterexam. com or can be taught in a classroom for six to eight hours throughout the state by the Wildlife Resources Commission.

The fees are $15 for a one-year registration; $35 for a one-year registration and title; $40 for a three-year registration; and $60 for a three-year registration and title.

All motorized vessels used on public waters must be registered, including jet skis. All sailboats used on public waters must be registered if longer than 14 feet at the load waterline, the length of the vessel at the point where it sits in the water. If a vessel registered in another state is brought into North Carolina for more than 90 consecutive days, the registration must be transferred to North Carolina.

If a boater chooses to title their vessel, it must be registered as well.

Many vessel transactions are conducted via mail by printing out and completing the appropriate forms from www.ncwildlife.org and following the mailing instructions. There is also the option of conducting transactions with more than 400 Wildlife service agents statewide.

The NCWRC office is located at 1751 Varsity Drive, NCSU Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC. To find the location of the nearest Wildlife Service Agent, call 1-800-628-3773.

The Wildlife Commission keeps computerized records of all titled

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vessels and issues title certificates, which document the owner of a vessel and any liens that lenders choose to record. A title is available to any vessel owner, provided the vessel is registered in North Carolina, is not simultaneously titled in any other state and is not documented with the US Coast Guard. At the time of applying for a North Carolina title, any existing out-of-state title must be surrendered to the Wildlife Service Agent or mailed to the Wildlife Commission.

All recreational vessels must have one Type I, II or III personal flotation device (PFD) of a suitable size for each person aboard and each person being towed on skis, tubes, etc. In addition, recreational vessels 16 feet and larger must also have one Type IV PFD that is able to be thrown to someone in the event of an emergency; all required PFDs must be readily accessible.

Although local conditions may warrant the imposition of definite limitations on speed of vessels, a general speed limit is that which is implied in safe vessel operation under existing circumstances.

Speeds that are excessive under the circumstances and endanger people or property are one form of reckless operation prohibited by North Carolina boating law.

Watercraft entering, leaving or passing within 50 yards of a stateowned or controlled boating and fishing access area must do so at “no-wake” speed, meaning the boat’s speed must be slow enough as to not leave a wake in the water behind. The law states that no person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger life, limb or property of any person.

The state of North Carolina adopts and enforces all federally mandated boating safety laws. Every vessel operating in NC shall carry and use safety equipment in accordance with US Coast Guard requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations. Additionally, every vessel is required to display the lights and shapes required by the navigation rules.

All SCUBA divers in waters open to boating must display a diver’s flag – red with white diagonal stripe – in the area in which the diving occurs. They may not display the flag when not engaged in diving or at any location where it will unreasonably obstruct navigation; boaters should stay at least 50 feet away from a diverdown flag.

The regulations require that no person shall tow a person on water skis, surfboards or similar device in a reckless and dangerous manner, while under the influence of an impairing substance or where the direction or location of the device may be manipulated or controlled from the boat so as to cause the person being towed to collide with any object or person. Water skiing and all related sports are prohibited between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. Any vessel towing a person shall be equipped with a rear vision mirror, carry an observer other than the operator or the person being towed must be wearing a PFD. The rules of the road and the water do not differ much when it comes to operating a vessel or vehicle under the influence of an impairing substance. The law states that no person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of an impairing substance, nor operate any motor vessel after consuming alcohol sufficient to cause a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater.

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Just like on land, there are law enforcement officers that patrol waterways looking for people who may be operating a boat dangerously and will stop a vessel if they feel the operator is causing a threat to themselves or others. The same rules do not necessarily apply to police officers that patrol water as the ones on land; they need not always have probable cause to stop your boat. For example, certain marine patrol officers may stop your vessel for a safety inspection to confirm you have the correct number of life vests and other emergency equipment. Boating under the Influence (BUI) or Boating While Impaired (BWI) is a serious criminal charge and can carry the same punishments as receiving a DWI or DUI in a vehicle.

While boating, any accident involving death, disappearance or personal injury requiring assistance beyond first aid or damage greater than $500 must be reported to the NCWRC. Death, disappearance and injury cases must be reported within 48 hours, while other accidents are required to be reported within 10 days of the incident.

For a complete list of rules and regulations for boating in North CaroWF lina, visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating.

NCCOAST COMMUNICATIONS | 25

W

hat’s up dock?

March

2-3: Coastal Home & Garden Show. More than 75 exhibitors will be on hand to show off the latest in home and garden products and services at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. Details: 252-247-3883.

2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Behind the Scenes: Aquarium Close Encounters. 2-3:30pm. Age 8 and up, $15. Details: 252-247-4003 or www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores.

Sat. 2: Judy Collins in Concert. 8pm. The Morehead Center for Performing Arts, $35-$45. Details: 252-726-1501 or www.themoreheadcenter.com.

Hope Pole Creek Cleanup. 10am-Noon. Join the NC Coastal Federation for this annual event. Volunteers will sweep the boardwalk, trim brush, pick up trash and remove invasive plant species. Details: sarap@nccoast.org.

Craft Fair. 9am-4pm. The History Place, Morehead City, hosts an indoor Craft Fair with free admission to the public. Details: 252-247-7533.

3-9: Toast to the Coast. Celebrating Seven Days of fine dining, this new exciting biannual event takes place at more than 16 fine dining establishments throughout Carteret County. Details: 252-726-6273 or www.toasttothecoast.org.

Sun. 3: Archaeological Excavations at Ancient Ephesus. 34pm. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317, www. ncmaritimemuseum.org.

5, 11, 18, 25: Succulent Seafood. 2-4pm. Visit the area’s top eateries to find out how expert chefs choose, prepare and serve fresh local seafood with a flourish. Age 12 and up, $15. Details: 252-2474003 or www.ncacquariums.com.

7, 12: Brown Bag Gam. Noon-1pm. Join the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort for a lunch program on topics of maritime culture and history. This month’s programs include the US Coast Guard and the Whales of NC. Details: 252-728-7317, www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Thur. 7: Hannah’s Haus Oyster Roast. 5-7pm. This event helps raise awareness about the NC Coastal Federation with local oysters and beer. Details: sarahp@nccoast.org.

Sat. 9: Toby Walker Performs. 8pm. Clawson’s Restaurant, $14 for adults; $12 for members and active-duty military; and $8 for students. Details: www.downeastfolkarts.org.

Get Hooked Fishing School. Experts in a variety of fishing techniques present workshops and demonstrations throughout the day at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. Details: 252-247-4003, www. ncaquariums.com.

Tue. 12: Taste of Coastal Carolina. This fundraiser for the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation brings some of the area’s best chefs to the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center for a sampling of Eastern North Carolina’s diverse cuisine. Details: 252-514-0051 or www.neuseriver.org.

Thur. 14: Ports & Pilots. 10am-Noon. See the big ships up close with this guided behind-the-scenes tour of the NC State Port, Morehead City, with the NC Maritime Museum. Cost is $10. Details: 252728-7317 or www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

15-17: Build a Ship in a Bottle. NC Maritime Museum program, $150. Details: 252-728-7317, www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Sat. 16: 22nd Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival. 9am-5pm.

Held at the Emerald Plantation shopping center. Details: 252-654-6350.

Swansboro Oyster Roast & Pig Out. 5-8pm. Hosted by the Swansboro Rotary Club and held at the group’s civic center, the evening features oysters, clam chowder, fried flounder, port and all the trimmings. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door. Details: 910-326-5066.

Tue. 19: Boatbuilding Past and Present. 9:30-11:30am. NC Maritime Museum, $10. Details: 252-728-7317 or www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.

23-24: Contemporary Boatbuilding Carpentry. 9am-5pm.

Learn skills essential for building round-bottomed boats through this NC Maritime Museum program. Cost is $135. Details: 252-728-7317 or ncmaritimemuseum.com.

Sat. 23: EI Easter Egg Hunt. Noon. Join the Emerald Isle Bunny in his search for prize eggs. Bring a basket and enjoy the fun for free.

Ages 4 to 13 are welcome, with different areas for different age groups.

Details: 252-354-6350.

Easter Egg Hunt. 11am. Carolina Home & Garden, Newport, holds its annual Easter egg hunt with special guest the Easter Bunny.

Sat. 30: BHA Easter Egg Hunt. 11am. Children age 7 and under will enjoy a little Easter fun at the Beaufort Historic Site. Prizes and refreshments follow. Details: 252-728-5225.

Morehead City Easter Egg Hunt. 10am. Planned for Rotary Park on Mayberry Loop Road by the Morehead City Parks and Recreation Dept. Ages 12 and under, free. Details: 252-726-5083.

Pine Knoll Shores Easter Egg Hunt. 10am. The Easter Bunny always finds his way to Garner Park, located on Oakleaf Drive, to hide hundreds of eggs for the kids. Details: 252-247-4353.

April

Wed. 3: Shackleford Banks Hike. 10:30am-2:30pm. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort, $25. Details: 252-728-7317, www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Fri. 5: Kayaking for Kids. 10am-1pm. NC Maritime Museum, $45, $25 with your own kayak. Details: 252-728-7317, www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

5-6: Newport Pig Cookin’. North Carolina barbecue takes center stage at Newport Town Park as the country’s largest whole hog pig cooking pulls out all the stops. Details: 252-241-3488.

6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28: Behind the Scenes: Aquarium Close Encounters. 2-3:30pm. Age 6 and up, $15. Details: 252-2474003 or www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores.

11, 30: Brown Bag Gam. Noon-1pm. Join the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort for a lunch program on topics of maritime culture and history.

This month’s programs include Beaufort’s dolphins and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Details: 252-728-7317, www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

12-14: Oriental In-Water Boat Show. Details: 252-249-0228 or orientalboatshow.com.

Sat. 13: Pat Wictor Performs. 8pm. Clawson’s Restaurant, $14 for adults; $12 for members and active-duty military; and $8 for students.

Doors open at 7pm. Details: www.downeastfolkarts.org.

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$300. Details: 252-728-7317 or www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Nautical Tool & Tag Sale. 7-10am. Old tools, motors, boats and pieces can be found at this annual fundraising event for the NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317, www. ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Junior Ranger Day. Noon-4pm. Experience Cape Lookout National Seashore through ranger led programs and earn limited edition Junior Ranger items. This free program will be held at the Harkers Island Visitors Center. Details: 252-728-2250.

Wed. 17: Ports & Pilots. 10am-Noon. See the big ships up close with this guided behind-thescenes tour of the NC State Port, Morehead City, with the NC Maritime Museum. Cost is $10. Details: 252-728-7317 or www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

18-19, 22: Shoreline Planting at Jones Island. 9:30am-1:30pm. Volunteers, students and NC Coastal Federation staff come together to plant marsh grass to help restore Jones Island in Swansboro.

Details: lexiaw@nccoast.org.

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Harkers Island, North Carolina Ferry Reservations are recommended. Call 252-728-6181.

Fri. 19: Explore the Rachel Carson Reserve. 9:30am-12:30pm. The NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort, leads a guided hike through the varying habitats on Town Marsh and Bird Shoal. Reservations are required, $15. Details: 252-728-7317, www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Wench Auction. 6-11pm. The Dockhouse & the Pyrates of Onslow Bay invite everyone to a fun filled evening at the Dockhouse Restaurant on Front Street, Beaufort.

20-21: Traditional Boat Building Carpentry. 9am-5pm. Learn traditional boat building techniques in this hands-on workshop offered by the NC Maritime Museum. Cost is $135. Details: 252728-7317 or www.ncmaritimemuseum.com.

Sat. 20: Publick Day. 9am-4pm. An old-fashion flea market takes over the Beaufort Historic Site, just as they did in days gone by. Details: 252-728-5225.

Western Carteret Library Homes Tour. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 on the day of the event. Details: Carteret.cpclib.org.

Tour de Bogue Banks. 8am. The Kayak for the Warrior organization in Pine Knoll Shores has added a new facet to its annual offerings. Registration fee is $45. Details: 252-247-4353, kayakforthewarriors.org.

Civil War Reenactment. 10am-4pm. Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach. Details: 252-726-3775.

24-28: Annual Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend. Wonderful wine and tempting meals are the focal point of this weekend full of wine and food pairings, workshops, dinners and more. Details: 252728-5225 or www.beaufortwineandfood.com.

Fri. 26: Learn to Kayak. Noon-3pm. NC Maritime Museum. Cost is $45, $25 with your own kayak.

Details: 252-728-7317, www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

Sat. 27: Lookout Spring Road Race. 8am. Sponsored by the Lookout Rotary Club, Morehead City. Details: 252-726-7826.

Crystal Coast Earth Day Festival. 10am-3pm. Museums from around the county offer educational information, fun, crafts and games at Fort Macon State Park.

May

2-3, 6, 20, 22-23: Shoreline Planting at Jones Island. 9:30am-1:30pm. Volunteers, students and NC Coastal Federation staff come together to plant marsh grass to help restore Jones Island in Swansboro. Planting tools, snacks, water and sunscreen are provided. Details: lexiaw@nccoast.org.

3-4: Reelin’ for Research. Charity fishing tournament in Morehead City for UNC Children’s Hospital Research Division. Details: reelinforresearch.org or info@reelinforresearch.org.

Sat. 4: 39th Wooden Boat Show. Join the NC Maritime Museum for a day full of demonstrations, lectures, races, competitions and more, all centered around some of the most elegant wooden boats still in action. Details: 252-728-7317 or www.ncmaritimemuseums.org.

Beaufort National Boatbuilding Challenge. 11am-5pm. Entry fee is $100. Details: 252648-0944, beaufortchallenge.com.

10-11: Beaufort Music Festival. The streets of historic Beaufort come to life with live music during this annual festival with three stages, including a children’s area. Details: www.beaufortmusicfestival.com or 252-269-0488.

18-19: Crystal Coast Boat Show. Sponsored by the Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association. Details: 252-808-0440 or downtownmoreheadcity.com.

Contemporary Boatbuilding Carpentry. 9am-5pm. Learn skills essential for building round-bottomed boats through this NC Maritime Museum program. Cost is $135. Details: 252-7287317 or www.ncmaritimemuseum.com.

Sat. 18: Coyote Performs. 8pm. Clawson’s Restaurant, $14 for adults; $12 for members and active-duty military; and $8 for students. Doors open at 7pm. Details: www.downeastforlkats.org.

Youth Fishing Derby. 9-11am. This free fishing event offered through the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Dept. is open to youngsters ages 5-12. Details: lmorris@emeraldisle-nc.org or 252-354-6350.

Tue. 21: Marsh Cruise. 11am-12:30pm. The marsh cruise program offered by the NC Coastal Federation begins at Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, and will be led by federation staff.

Details: samb@nccoast.org.

24-26: Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Bluewater Tournament, NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournament. Details: 252-422-9100 or www.kingbluewater.com.

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25-26: CCAC Spring Show. This juried sale of arts and crafts takes over the Beaufort Historic Site three times a year thanks to the Carteret County Arts & Crafts Coalition. Details: 252-728-5225.

Sat. 25: Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Fireworks. 9pm. Join everyone at the Circle, Atlantic Beach for a fireworks display.

Concert in the Park. 7-8:30pm. Join the Morehead City Parks and Recreation Dept. for a free summer concert at Jaycee Park on the Morehead City waterfront. The season opens with the West Carteret High School Jazz Band. Details: 252-726-5083.

nccoast.com

NCCOAST COMMUNICATIONS | 27

continued from page 11

Councilman Harvey Walker. “The truckers, the railroad, the maintenance workers, the people who sell tires; the list just goes on and on.”

The sales of heavy equipment to sustain the pellet production in all aspects of the project could rise as well. All of these added profits and wages would trickle down the economy resulting in more patronage of local restaurants and merchants, according to Walker.

“Before you just look at the economic impact for Morehead, it’s not just the jobs here. It’s the jobs that this will create elsewhere. The way I see that, as far as economically impacting Morehead, is that the people away from here who are now not working will be able to work and able to come here for their summer entertainment,” said Walker.

Clean County Coalition, formed in 2011 to fight the thenproposed sulfur melting and handling facility at the NC Port of Morehead City, and the NC Coastal Federation have asked the State Ports Authority and other state agencies to adhere to state law and assess the potential environmental effects of state plans to store and ship wood pellets at the port through a letter written to Bradshaw.

The State Environmental Policy Act requires potential adverse effects to be studied before the project moves forward.

Also, any project on public land or that involves public money requires a state action, such as a permit, and a review of the potential environmental effects. The proposed wood pellet facility meets all three requirements of the law, said the groups in their letter.

Ports officials have said the two pellet facilities would be the most expensive infrastructure project ever conducted at the ports. State officials have said they hoped the Morehead City fa-

cility would be shipping wood pellets to Europe by early 2014.

Outgoing Gov. Beverly Perdue, whose last day in office was Friday, Jan. 4, announced that International WoodFuels, LLC will construct a 300,000 metric ton-per-year wood pellet plant in Wilson County. According to the news release, International WoodFuels was established in 2007 with the objective of building and operating a number of pellet fuel manufacturing plants throughout the Southeastern United States.

“Well, the reality is that wood pellets are a carbon based fuel also, and all we’re doing is harvesting a crop – trees – in North America, and we’re going to transport those trees in a pellet sized form across the ocean to Europe to be used in burners to generate power in much the same way we’ve been burning coal previously; so how did this make sense to spend that much energy harvesting them, converting them to pellets and transporting them huge distances. It means that the cost of electricity is going to go up, and there’s no way around that,” said Littman. “I wish that some of the policy makers had thought through this a little bit more; they obviously didn’t and that’s unfortunate.”

However, neither Wagoner nor Littman feel there is has been enough information presented about the project to make any final decisions about the positive or negative impacts it may have on the area. Councilman Walker sees no issues with the project and looks forward to its success.

“I don’t see any obstacles. I think it’s a great idea. We already have a customer base, so I think that it is a very positive program. I don’t see any negatives at all in this,” said Walker.

To learn more about this project as it progresses or view Bradshaw’s presentation, visit www.ncports.com/news/howwe-are-changing. WF

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in the wake ‌ The lifeguard stand at the Atlantic Beach Circle is peaceful and quiet during the winter months, but come spring the site will be a hub of activity as it welcomes guests for a day at the beach. (Josh Lambert photo)

Send submissions of your favorite waterfront scenes in color or black & white to 201 N. 17th St., Morehead City, NC, 28557, or by email to editor@nccoast.com. All digital photos should be at least 300dpi.

30 |

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• In-ground Pools • Above Ground Pools

100 Rhem St., New Bern, NC

• Hot Tubs and Spas

252-637-4076

• Outdoor Living Areas

www.bigkahunapoolandspa.com

• Outdoor Kitchens

A D V E R T I S E R

index www.nccoast.com

70 West Marina.................................. 2

Crystal Coast Civic Center.............. 21

United Yacht Sales.......................... 26

Al Williams Real Estate.................... 13

Dudley’s Marina............................... 13

West Marine..................................... 21

Artistic Tile & Stone......................... 11

EJW................................................. 15

Whaler Inn....................................... 19

Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend..... 22

Nationwide Insurance...................... 29

William’s Hardware.......................... 16

Big Kahuna Pools, Spas & More..... 31

NC Dept. of Agriculture.... Back Cover

Bogue Sound Boat Company............ 9

Pacific Beachwear............................. 5

Cape Pointe Marina & Ferry............ 27

Ralph’s Sign Shop............................. 2

The Captain’s Shop......................... 16

Sanitary Restaurant......................... 16

Carteret General Urgent Care......... 17

Sea Classics.................................... 19

Chatlee Boat & Marine...................... 3

Shoco Marine.................................. 20

Cherokee Charters.......................... 13

Tide Tamer....................................... 29

Coastal Carolina Corp..................... 24

Triton Marine Services, Inc.............. 26

Coastal Marine & Sports................. 28

Trucker’s Toy Store........................... 11

The Crab’s Claw................................ 9

Ultimate Yacht Service.................... 24

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