April 2024 Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@liveoakmediainc.com

Lisa P. Stites

lisa@southportmag.com

Chuck and Sue Cothran

Things Are Hopping

Louise Sheffield-Baccarny

Carla Edstrom

Patricia Langer

Jan Morgan-Swegle

Joe Jancsurak

Lisa P. Stites

Jeffrey Stites

Liz Brinker

lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com

Shallotte

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741 Shallotte

once a month by Live Oak Media.

28461

www.shallottemag.com

email jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741

And it isn’t just the Easter Bunny! This month’s issue is full of events and activities to help you get out and enjoying the Springtime weather and shaking off the winter blues. From Days at the Docks on Holden Beach to Strawberry & Wine Fest in Sunset Beach and everywhere in between there are festivals and markets and concerts and fundraising parties galore.

Also in this issue, we debut our monthly fishing report from Captain Steele Park of Catherine Ann Sportfishing & Excursions. We’re “reel”-y excited to welcome Steele aboard and hope you’ll find his advice and fishing news helpful and educational.

And before I sign off let me just express some heartfelt gratitude. We’ve been out and about in the community a lot this month and we have been amazed and overjoyed at the number of people who appreciate what we’re doing at Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine and let us know how much they’ve been enjoying reading our work. It’s never easy to launch a new publication, and hearing such encouragement has us super excited to keep growing and sharing the best of our community.

Community Waterway Clean-Up

Volunteers to Help Clear Debris and Trash

STORY BY LOUISE SHEFFIELD-BACCARNY, PHOTOS BY MICKEY COCHRAN (@OIBMICKEY)

As you venture through the South Brunswick Islands, perhaps driving with your car windows down, walking barefoot along the strand, or putting around in your skiff, you’ll be met with the best breeze, incredible scenery and striking sunrises and sunsets. Being a local, it’s easy to forget that this area is a highly sought after destination for many, because for us, it’s just Home. Then when the temperature starts to soar and the traffic starts to jam, our “season” hits hard and we are quickly reminded that no matter where you are from, when the beach calls, you must go!

Every year, thousands of vacationers cram onto our tiny islands, packing everything except their kitchen sink in mini vans and Suburbans, with fishing poles and golf carts in tow. Add in new construction and home sales at record numbers for Brunswick County and it’s simple — more people equals

more trash. Although not everyone is a litterbug, not having things properly contained while outside is a big reason why so much trash is strung along the coast. Our strong, coastal gales are one of the primary reasons why so much garbage and debris end up in the inland waterway.

Three years ago, James created and organized the nonprofit “Waterway Cleanup Day.” For this event, volunteers meet with trash bags and gloves, ready to remove whatever they may find along the banks, up in creeks, hidden under bridges and piers that has been left from the ebb and flow of the

Smaller waste like plastic bags, cups and bottles collect in the marsh and vegetation, out on the sandbars and float to and from, potentially harming birds, turtles and fish. In previous cleanups, James says it was easy to fill up half a dumpster full of trash, with plastic bottles being the number one

James Allison, Owner of Carolinas Coastal Adventure Tours, gives people a chance to explore our waterway and creeks by boat. He and his team captain CraigCat power catamarans out of Ocean Isle Marina. “I want to give people the experience of being on the water and seeing all of the natural beauty up close,” says James. While not working, James loves to travel. After visiting Bocas del Toro, Panama, on one of his journeys and witnessing firsthand how much trash is taking over such a pristine area of the world, James knew he needed to do something to clean up and preserve our area beaches before we looked sadly similar to a third world country.

tides. In recent years, due to a multitude of king tides, tropical storms and hurricanes, larger household, dock and landscape items have also made it out to the waterway along with construction debris and materials which could be extremely hazardous to boaters.

thing removed from the waterway. After moving to the area seven years ago from Matthews, North Carolina, he says that areas such as Tubbs Inlet were the hardest for him to learn to navigate by boat because figuring out exactly how low and how high the

Sunset Beach Bridge looking towards Ocean Isle

tides can get in there is tricky. James said he’s grateful to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office for coming out to the 1st Annual Waterway Cleanup Day and guiding volunteers through the backwater safely for their earliest event.

The 3rd Annual Waterway Cleanup Day will be held this year on Saturday, April 20, from 9 am to 12 pm. All participants will meet at Ocean Isle Marina, 2000 Sommersett Road, and then be dispersed to designated areas stretching from Shallotte Inlet to Sunset Beach. More than 100 volunteers of all ages are needed to help remove as much trash as possible by land and sea. No boat is needed to participate as

ner with like-minded individuals and groups who also cherish our coastal areas and wish to keep them clean and preserve their beauty, ecosystems and animals for future generations to enjoy.” Through these ongoing efforts, the South Brunswick Islands will remain a clean and healthy place to call home.

Registration for participation is now open online at www.waterwaycleanupday.com. The organization is also actively looking for sponsors of the event and has several different levels of patronage. Please email Jamesclarkallison@gmail.com for more information.

many volunteers can walk the mainland and around bridges and boat ramps, but having a boat or even a personal watercraft would be advantageous to reach certain areas at high tide. Lunch will also be provided after the cleanup.

“With such an abundance of people moving to the Brunswick Beaches, we need to take this opportunity to be proactive and educate people coming into our area about the importance of maintaining our natural resources,” James said. He also hopes to expand Waterway Cleanup Day to include Holden Beach next year as well. “We are blessed to have special places like Bird Island and the Shallotte River, and our organization would love to part-

Left: Looking north towards Bird Island

Above: ICW near Shallotte Inlet

Biz Feature Southern Cool

Shop Some History At Shallotte’s Azio Media

STORY BY CARLA EDSTROM PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

Azio

Media is not your everyday antique store. With an eclectic mix of a local traditional brick-and-mortar store and an extensive online website, Azio fills a niche in our community where few others come close. Bursting with vintage collectibles, Azio also boasts the county’s largest selection of regional interest books, as well as vintage and new vinyl records. They also carry music CDs, cassettes, and pop and rock memorabilia. And if you are new to record players, they also carry some turntables you will want.

Owner Dave Henderson had worked in media for years and has always loved books and music. “It’s nice to sell something you believe in and can enjoy,” he said. “The area lacked a good book and music store. I enjoy the discovery and research of antiquarian books and vintage items that we buy from individuals in the area.”

Azio Media opened in Shallotte on Smith Avenue back in 2003. The store moved to its current location two years ago inside the Gingerbread House on Holden Beach Road. Initially built in 1903, the home has a beautiful wrap-around porch in line with the vintage Gingerbread style of architecture. “The building was moved to its present location about 30 years ago from another

location in Brunswick County,” said Henderson. “We have worked hard to maintain the historical architectural elements and decor inside and out. We have crystal chandeliers at the shop and a handmade counter with chicken wire and wood shelving. We have outdoor seating on our porch and some cafe tables in the yard for customers to en-

joy.”

Originally from Ash, NC, in Brunswick County, Henderson now lives in Shallotte. His family’s roots go back 300 years near the Waccamaw River. “I have a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Bennington Col-

lege in Vermont. I worked in technology and media for years,” he said. “After living in Prague, Czech Republic for eight years, I returned to North Carolina and opened Azio Media. While in Prague, I wrote about new technology and media for various newspa-

pers and magazines. I also did some internet consulting work for television stations. A small group of us opened Prague’s first English language Internet cafe/bookstore, Terminal Bar, in the late 90s,” he said. “I have a background in music and television.

While in college, I was an intern for “Saturday Night Live” and MTV, which later became a regular job working in production for the television shows,” he said. “I have always been a big fan of live music and grew up going to The Mad Monk in Wilmington.”

At Azio, there really is something for everyone. “We have the best collection of regional interest books in the county, which are available in our shop or on our website, www.aziomedia.com. We also carry used and new books, beach reading, antique books, fiction and nonfiction, classic literature, poetry, decorative books, and more,” said Henderson. “We also offer gently used books, CDs, and vintage magazines in the

store for $3 each,” said Henderson. “We are open 11:30 am to 5:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Our website is open 24/7, and we ship every business day.”

Strawberries & Wine

Old Bridge Historical Society Festival

STORY BY LISA STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Afterthe gray days of February and the last winter chills of March, it seems we’re all ready for a festival. What better way to ease our way into the season than with a festival on the water that features beautiful red strawberries. The Old Bridge Historical Society of Sunset Beach is hosting the 10th Annual Strawberry & Wine fest on Sunday, April 28, from noon to 5 pm. The event is at the beautiful Sunset Beach Park, at the foot of the Sunset Beach Bridge, 206 Sunset Boulevard North. The signature food item is strawberry shortcake, and word on the street is that they sell out quickly, so plan on getting yours early.

The Society suggests a donation of $5 per attendee, All proceeds go to benefit the nonprofit Old Bridge Historical Society. Donations help the Old Bridge Historical Society more effectively preserve and share the history of the Old Bridge and the Sunset Beach area with both residents and visitors, according to a release from the Society. Your $5 donation also includes a chance to participate in the vendor drawing.

APRIL EVENTS

OPEN MIC NIGHTS

Thursdays, 7:00 pm • $5 Donation

APRIL 4 APRIL 11 APRIL 18 APRIL 25

TRIBUTE TO THE DOORS CONCERT

April 25 • TICKETS: $20

Purchase on Facebook or myfreespirit.org

Limited seating in our beautiful studio

8840 Old Georgetown Rd SW

Sunset Beach

“It’s one of our main fundraisers for the year,” said Ann Bokelman, who volunteers with the Society.

Take chairs or blankets, and set up amongst the beautiful live oak trees to enjoy classic rock and soul tunes from Mike’s Garage Band. Festival-goers can dance along or just watch the boat traffic in the Intracoastal Waterway.

There will be plenty of arts and crafts vendors set up for shopping, many of whom have been working to incorporate the strawberry theme into their offerings, Bokelman said. There will be jams and jellies, strawberry slushes, and more. There will be wines available from Silver Coast Winery and the Makai Brewing Company in Ocean Isle Beach and Wilmington’s Waterline Brewing Company will have specialty craft beers for sale. Food vendors will have hot dogs, pulled pork and more.

A new addition this year will be the sale of fresh strawberries from Heritage Fresh Market, so attendees can get

some fresh berries to make their own treats at home.

Visit http://www.theoldbridge.org/

to find out more about the Festival, the Society and the Old Bridge Museum. Hours for the museum are 10 am to 2 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays. In the summer, the Society also offers a young explorers program for children ages 4-11 on Wednesdays. Each session will have a theme for the day, and the children will learn something, do an educational activity, and make a craft.

Fundraising is important for the group this year as plans move forward to move the Bridge. The land where the Bridge currently sits is essentially borrowed, and the landowner has been allowing the Bridge to rest there since 2011 but now has other plans for the property. The Society now owns the property to the west of its current loca-

tion and will move the Bridge to it soon.

“We’re very excited to to do that. It’s been a dream of ours,” Bokelman said.

The move will allow the Society to add to its education programs as well.

“The bridge will span the 404 wetlands, and we’ll be able to use that as an educational tool,” Bokelman said. “We want people to understand why the wetlands are important and how to protect them.

April Fishing Report

As Water Warms, Fishing Heats Up

BY CAPTAIN STEELE PARK

As we transition from the short, blustery days of winter, fishermen all over southeastern North Carolina begin chomping at the bit to get out on the water and take advantage of warmer weather, longer days, and most importantly, hungry fish. For us salty dogs, April is known as a transition month – meaning fish are coming out of their docile winter patterns and getting more active. Many species are in a bit of a migratory mode, seeking out warmer water that holds bait where they will aggressively feed.

Inshore fishing has remained solid and will only continue to improve as the water warms up. While it’s still early in the year to target flounder, there are a few that decided to stick around through winter and, as always, make for a fun catch. In early April, those seeking to catch schooling red drum should look on the mud flats during the warmest parts of the day when the species will be cruising for an easy meal. Additionally, drum can also be found tailing in the marsh grass, generally close to drop-offs where they transition during the falling tide. Using fresh shrimp on a Carolina rig or a jig with a small paddle tail, fished slowly, will entice the bite.

Speckled trout are also still up in the creeks, but as the water warms, they will begin working their way down to the mouth of these creeks as they feed into main channels. You may have to move around a bit to find them, but once you do, the action will be steady. Live shrimp fished on a popping cork is a great option as well as the same setup with a voodoo shrimp. Mirrolure MR17 is a great option to cover water, just remember to fish these baits slowly since the water is still on the chilly side.

Nearshore fishing has started gaining momentum and as the month goes on it will really come to life. Lucky anglers may start to

Captain Steele Park, a US Navy Veteran, has been fishing the oceans, rivers, and lakes of southeastern NC since he was 7 years old and knows these waters like the back of his hand. He calls Southport home and captains the Catherine Anne Sportfishing & Excursions fleet. For more information please call at 910-620-9919

run across schools of big red drum starting their move up the beach and if you find them it will be game on, and the fishing will be fast and furious. As the water temps increase into the low 60s, the Atlantic bonito will show up and not only are they fun fighting fish they are one of the tastiest fish in the ocean. If you are hunting bonitos, look for birds in 20- to 40feet of water where you will see them working the bait. I recommend trolling Clarkspoons on a #1 and #2 planer with a 30-foot leader of 20-pound fluorocarbon. I personally prefer Yozuri pink/silver diving baits when trolling for Bonito (other methods include casting jigs, crankbaits and in some cases topwater plugs). At the beginning of April, the first Spanish mackerel begin to show up and can typically be caught with a similar

method as bonito mentioned above.

Offshore fishing this time of year tends to be more productive than inshore/nearshore efforts because of the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. For fishermen seeking out the pelagic species such as wahoo, blackfin, and yellowfin tuna, you’ll generally find action around a temperature break/edge located over underwater ledges or structures. This time of year, I prefer to troll a mixed spread to capitalize on the multiple species present.

By April, wahoo become more prominent in our fishing grounds for which I highly recommend using wire for these toothy critters. I will typically fish a planer rod with a #8-#12 planer and a big Hawaiian eye lure or weighted Bluewater Candy lure and a ballyhoo. My flat line baits and short rigger baits will all be wire rigs with skirts and ballyhoo, while my long rigger and “mousetrap/ shotgun” bait will be smaller bait rigged on 40-feet of 60# fluorocarbon wind-on leader.

Sea Witches in blue/white, pink/white will get bites from the tunas and another great option is to use small cedar plugs and tuna feathers set way back from the boat - 200300 yards in some cases.

If the troll is slow, vertical high-speed

jigging

the Gulf Stream ledges (such as steeples, same ole hole, blackjack, 100/400) will produce huge amberjacks, blackfin tuna, and grouper. Those seeking to find some tasty table fare will find black seabass anywhere from 60- to 100-feet of water. A basic two hook bottom rig with 5 to 7-ounce weights and squid will get you all the fish you are seeking from deeper waters. The ledges around the Frying Pan Tower also produce well this time of year

and yield vermillion snapper (often referred to as beeliners), as well as various species of grouper. If you are after grouper, a knocker rig or 3-way swivel grouper rig with cigar minnows are my go-to methods.

As I mentioned earlier, April is the transition month and as the month progresses, the fishing will only get better.

Beach Ball 2024

Fundraiser For Museum and Planetarium

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Havefun and support two of our community’s treasures at the Beach Ball on Thursday, April 18 from 5:30 to 9 pm at Seabreeze Restaurant at Bricklanding. The event benefits the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium and the programs they offer throughout the year.

The Beach Ball will feature drinks and dinner and engaging speakers. The featured speaker for the evening is Tori Hunt, youth engagement coordinator with EarthEcho International, a project of Philippe Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau. A member of the Lumbee Tribe, Tori is a former high school teacher in Cabarrus County, was a Fellow for Ocean Exploration Trust’s 2023 expedition season and sailed the Pacific as a crew member aboard E/V Nautilus. During this voyage, they utilized seafloor mapping and remotely operated vehicles

to explore unseen deep-sea habitats in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest marine protected area in the United States.

Brunswick

County Schools Career Ready Coordinator Dr. Daniel Richardson will also speak. The night will also include the Louise Ingram Coastal Caretaker Award presentation. The 2024 award recipients, Deb and Jim Boyce, served as volunteers and leaders of the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization for more than 20 years, and Deb worked for the Museum of

Coastal Carolina for 14 years.  Coastal Caretaker Awards are presented by the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation (OIMF) to people who do notable work to preserve our coastal environment, heritage, and culture through education, conservation, and/or preservation. Winners are selected by a committee of OIMF board members, staff, and previous winners.

Tickets to the Beach ball are $125 each or $800 for a table of

eight and include a Signature Cocktail, salad, a selection of Prime Rib, Mahi Mahi or Chicken Piccata, dessert and dinner wine. Tickets are available at https:// museumplanetarium.org/product/beach-ball-tickets/

A variety of corporate sponsorships are also available by contacting Jim Hoffman at 910-5791016.

Biz Q&A

Southport Cookies

Vegan Bakery Opens In Southport Village

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES AND JOELLE INGRAM

Whodoesn’t love cookies? They’re portable and come in endless varieties. Cookies have become a standard form of reward, probably a holdover from our childhoods when they were handed out as treats. Well, now I’m a grown up and I can go get a cookie whether I’ve been good or not. It just so happens that our friend Joelle Ingram has opened a new cookie shop in the Southport Village Shoppes, on Howe Street behind the Southport Smokehouse, so when we have a cookie craving, we know where to go!

We talked to Joelle all about Southport Cookies and what makes her lean treats the perfect reward.

Can you tell us what Southport Cookies is and what you sell?  Southport Cookies is an adorable small bakery that sells amazing Vegan and Gluten Free cookies.

When did you start Southport Vegan Cookies? It was a home-based business until now, right?

I started baking from home last summer after catering my niece’s vegan wedding. I received rave reviews from the wedding guests, and that prompted me to create my company. I also used the kitchen at Live Oak Cafe, thanks to the amazing generosity of Sean, the owner.

scared off by the term Vegan! My cookies are amazing and a non-vegan would not know that they did not contain animal products! Just give them a try and you will see!

What moved you to open a retail location?

What makes a vegan cookie different?

Vegan means no animal products. When baking, I use plant-based and high quality ingredients. I bake with a plant-based butter, and use flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin, etc. as an egg replacement. I use organic sugars because non-organic sugar is not Vegan as it is processed using bone char.

For someone who hasn’t tried vegan baked goods, give us your pitch for trying them out.

I don’t want anyone to be

I needed someplace to put all of my ingredients and equipment! My house looked like a crowded bakery!

My large mixer, named Betty, was so big and in the way sitting on my island. Any time I wanted to entertain, I had to move everything to make room for the party!

Tell us about joining the Southport Village Shops. I understand it was a bit of a whirlwind.

I was just putting my feelers out to see if it was even possible for me to open a storefront, when I found out my current location was available. It was really difficult to imagine a bakery in such a small space. The square footage is only 250! I have always made spur of the moment decisions and this was no different! I decided, ‘why not!’ and signed the lease, put in all new plumbing, new electrical, new paint, inside and out, new light fixtures, all with the help of my amazing friends! I never could have done any of this without them! Giving up their weekends so selflessly to help me is extremely humbling!

Betty the Stand Mixer

How do you come up with cookie ideas?

I do a lot of googling and I follow several bakers! I find recipes that I

like and I ‘veganize’ them. My friends and neighbors have been my testers and I trust them to give me honest feedback. It’s a lot of trial and error, and I have thrown many cookies in the trash. I do have a  problem where I like to put walnuts in everything! It’s a challenge to NOT add them!

Do you still supply restaurants and such? Where can people find your cookies outside of your shop?

I do still want to supply the local restaurants — it is too much for me now to deliver to businesses not in downtown Southport. You can still find Southport Cookies intermittently at Cafe Koa and Fizzy Janes.

Any future plans for Southport Vegan Cookies?

Honestly, just baking and enjoying

this adventure!

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am forever grateful for the support from my family and friends— Melanie at Cafe Koa, Sean at Live

Oak, and Stephanie, Shawn at Inergy Market, Jenni and Billy at Potters, and Alexis at Fizzy Janes. I never could have accomplished this without them!!

Wounded Warriors

Golf Tournament Seeking Sponsors

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

You’veprobably seen one of those wire racks full of used golf balls where donations are accepted in exchange for the golf balls with funds raised benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project at retailers all over the county. Winding River resident Ret. Army Master Sgt. Bob Duke founded this program, called Wounded Warrior Project Golf Balls As Gifts, in 2011. The retail program later expanded to sales to residents inside St. James, organized now by Holly and Dave Williams. This month, Golf Balls as Gifts will host its first charity golf tournament.

“This was our first-ever tournament, an addition to our regular program offered through the Golf Balls as Gifts Program,” said Holly. “We were offered the opportunity to host a tournament by The Clubs at St James under the ownership of Troon Golf. We sold out the first course in an hour, and had over 100 people on the waitlist. We opened up the second course and filled that with a large waitlist again. We have now filled three golf courses.”

Though player spots have been filled, there is still time to donate to the fundraiser either with an individual contribution or with a sponsorship. Details of donations and sponsor levels can be found at https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject. org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.personalCampaign&participantID=16972, or simply scan the QR code below.

The Golf Balls as Gifts program utilizes found and donated “previously driven” golf balls to raise money for the WWP.  “To date, using this program, St. James has helped us raise over $205,000 and combined with

our partner, we have raised over $507,000. That’s a lot of golf balls! We were recent recipients of the WWP 2023 Service Award at a fundraising event in Washington, D.C.,” said Holly.

About the Wounded Warrior Project (from the WWP Website):

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) began in 2003 as a small, grassroots effort providing simple care and comfort items to the hospital bedsides of the first wounded service members returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As their post-service needs evolved, so have our programs and services. Today, through direct programs in mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care, along with advocacy efforts, we improve the lives of millions of warriors and their families.

Master Sgt Bob Duke with Holly Williams

OIB Artist Featured

Franklin Square Gallery First Friday Show

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Franklin Square Gallery highlights the work of two talented featured artists this coming May: painter Mary K. Donahoe and sculptor PJ Wachtler. Both artists look forward to meeting and discussing their work with the public at the Gallery’s First Friday event on May 3, from 5 to 7 pm. It promises to be a wonderful evening where visitors are invited to enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine as they meet the artists, discover their artwork, and view the other paintings and ceramic work on display throughout the Gallery.

Hailing from Maryland’s Montgomery County, 2D Featured Artist Mary K. Donahoe now lives and works in Ocean Isle Beach. A member of the Associated Artists of Southport and the Waterway Art Association, she paints in a variety of media, including oil, acrylic and watercolor. An architect by

profession, Mary K. creates largescale, abstract paintings that she envisions as the centerpieces of the spaces they will inhabit. Influenced by Abstract Expressionist painters like Willem de Kooning and Mary Nomecos, Mary K.’s abstract work exhibits an exquisite use of color, composition, movement, depth and emotion. But Mary K. also paints representational landscape pieces, often en plein air, inspired by local marsh and water views and the quiet classicism of representational masters like Andrew Wyeth. Having been trained as an architect, Mary K. says she initially avoided being an artist “because it seemed not to be intellectually rigorous.” She has realized, however, that painting is “a different aspect of rigor, as if after years of running you now had to swim. Or fly! You learn by experience. Painting brings me closest to joy.” It is that joy that she looks forward to sharing with the viewer.

PJ Wachtler, the Gallery’s 3D Featured Artist, is a sculp-

tor and painter who grew up in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains and the sea. He began his creative journey at the age of 10, inspired by a summer school teacher who influenced him profoundly. At age 16, he was accepting commissions for silver and turquoise jewelry. After college and a 23-year career as an Air Force pilot, PJ returned to the world of art-making, creating thought-provoking sculpture in a variety of media, including clay, metal, wood, and glass. PJ’s art is inspired by environmental and cultural themes and their impacts on our daily lives. His work is intended to prompt viewers to reflect on our world. As he explains, “I still love the natural world and how it works to achieve harmony and balance at every scale. When creating my work, I relate to the chal-

lenges faced by the planet and all its ecosystems and cultures. I believe art can impact our emotions and can move us to better understand, value, and respect our environment and each other.” PJ looks forward to discussing these themes with visitors to the Gallery at its May 3 First Friday event. Franklin Square Gallery, home of the Associated Artists of Southport, is a cooperative of more than 120 artists, located at 130 E. West Street in the heart of historic downtown Southport, NC. With support from the Brunswick Arts Council ARPA Program, a Designated County Partner of the North Carolina Arts Council, the Gallery embodies the rich artistic culture that thrives in Southport. It offers original art and pottery for sale and is open to the public, free of charge, from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday during the month of April, and Monday through Saturday beginning in May.

MK Donahue’s “Wild Ride”

MK Donahue

Art Beat Plein Air Festival

Artists Flock To Southport To Paint Outside

STORY BY CARLA EDSTROM PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

Spring in Southport is a beautiful event in itself. It’s the perfect season to enjoy the stunning scenery outside in our lovely town. Everything is waking up from winter and blooming, the weather is getting warmer, and the artists are back for another Plein Air Festival sponsored by the City of Southport and the local non-profit Up Your Arts. This year’s festivities will surely bring out the artist and art lover in everyone. May 2- 4, the event will host more than 70 artists from all over the East Coast, possibly painting the city from every angle. Many of them return year after year for the chance to paint some of the most incredible landscapes around.

According to Up Your Arts member Marty Dorward, the festival has grown in popularity over the years. “Its success has made Southport a fixture among plein air groups and individual artists across North Carolina and beyond,” he said. “We have about 75 artists signed up so far.”

The concept of plein air or open-air painting is familiar to artists. French impressionist painters first began this style, which involves painting outdoors, in the late 1800s. The Southport Plein Air Festival was established in 2018 and has gained popularity yearly with more and more artists involved.

Southport offers artists a plethora of picture-perfect scenes to paint outdoors. It really does have something for every artist, with views of the waterfront, historic buildings and streetscapes, majestic live oak trees, the Cape Fear River and Intracoastal Waterway, many different kinds of birds, and the Yacht Basin with its colorful buildings, and picturesque sunsets.

According to Dorward, many family-friendly events will take place in Southport during the festival. “The final day of the festival is Kid’s Plein Air, featuring fam-

ily-friendly events, musical entertainment, and food trucks in Keziah Memorial Park at the corner of W. Moore and S. Lord streets on Saturday, May 4,” he said. “Award-winning storyteller and author Joan Leotta will engage with children of all ages, telling various tales throughout the day beginning at 10 am. Back by popular demand, local educator Ginger Hedblom will engage children throughout the day, leading them through a variety of art projects.”

Thanks to grants from the North Carolina Arts Council via the Brunswick Arts Council, a new adult event will take place in Keziah Park on Saturday. Up to 12 artisan craftspeople will be present to showcase their specialties, which range from fiber arts to mosaics to resin pouring. Attendees can also participate in DIY art projects with guidance from the craftspeople. In addition, they are introducing a raffle this year, for which participants can purchase tickets throughout the day on Saturday for a chance to win a painting created by last year’s People’s Choice winner, Brian Murphy. The raffle drawing will take place at 6 pm following the awards ceremony, and the winner does not need to be present to claim the prize.

Five local restaurant owners

will judge this year, and the awards will be given out after the wet paint sale. “The premiere award will be given to the artist selected by the public, the People’s Choice favorite,” said Dorward. “The recipient of the People’s Choice Award has the honor of having his or her

work featured on t-shirts and other graphics promoting the 2025 Plein Air Festival.”

More information about the festival, including detailed information and pictures from previous events, is available on Up Your Arts’ website here: https://www.upyourarts.org/southport-art-spaces/festivals/southport-plein-air-festival”

Blue & White Soiree

Habitat For Humanity Hosts Fundraiser

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Looking for a fun evening helping out a great cause? The inaugural Blue & White Soiree, an elegant evening affair dedicated to supporting the noble cause of Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity, might be just the ticket. Scheduled for Friday, May 31, from 6 pm to 9 pm, at the St James Community Center, this event promises an enchanting atmosphere filled with live music, delectable hors d’oeuvres, and live and silent auctions.

“As advocates for affordable housing and community development, Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity works tirelessly to provide families in need with safe and stable homes,” said event chairperson Kimberly Sands. “The proceeds from the Blue & White Soiree will directly contribute to their commendable efforts, helping to transform lives and build a stronger, more vibrant community.”

“We are currently in the midst of organizing the event, and we are reaching out to solicit donations for our live and silent auctions,” said Sands. “In particular, we are in need of gift cards, baskets, art pieces, and new items that would contribute to the success of our auctions. Your generous contribution would not only support our cause but also make a significant impact on the

success of our event.”

If you are willing to donate or have any inquiries regarding donations, please feel free to reach out to Kimberly Sands directly at 919-272-0161 or via email at kimberlysands@seacoastrealty.com.

The Soiree will feature both silent and live auctions, heavy appetizers and a cast bar featuring wine, beer and signature cocktails. Guests will also have the opportunity to indulge in a touch of luxury at the Bubbles and Bling table, where they can savor the taste of champagne or prosecco. With

each glass of bubbly purchased, guests will receive a raffle ticket, granting them the chance to win an exquisite piece of jewelry.

The evening will be emceed by retired NASCAR driver and satellite radio personality Chocolate Meyers.

Tickets to the Blue and White Soiree are $50 each or $350 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, visit https://events.handbid.com/lp/blue-white-soiree

Living History Crew

Volunteer Organization Brings Battleship USS NORTH CAROLINA Back To Life

STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY LIVING HISTORY CREW

What is it that draws us to the past? To another era? Is it the stories told over and over again by our parents and grandparents? Is it the glamour of old movies showing us a gentler time with heroes and true love?

In 1998, Tom Brokaw, TV news anchor and journalist, wrote a book called, “The Greatest Generation.” In it, he talked about those who grew up during the Great Depression and then went off to fight in World War II. He said, “It is, I believe the greatest generation any society has ever produced.” He continued, “These men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do.”

Chuck Hood, a member of the Battleship North Carolina Living History Crew (LHC), said he couldn’t agree more. The LHC was established more than 26 years ago and boasts membership of approximately 40 volunteers. Their mission is to support the USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Memorial by providing a living history program. In addition to providing information to the public about the ship itself and its rich history, they also do restoration work aboard the ship, provide artifacts for interpreted spaces on the ship, and provide manpower to support other Battleship related events.

The Living History Crew is part of several different organizations that support the activities of the USS North Carolina. The USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Memorial is comprised of the ship, and state employees who run the operational side of the ship. The Friends of the Battleship North Carolina, which is a notfor-profit group that supports the memorial. The USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Association is

comprised of former crew members and their families, Chuck said.

Battleship Alive is one of the living history events supported by the LHC, and the next event will be on April 20 and coincide with the weeklong “Crew’s Reunion,” honoring

the service of the remaining Naval sailors who were on board the USS NORTH CAROLINA, during the time she was commissioned, from 1941 to 1947. During the reunion event, there will be a memorial service honoring crew members who were lost to us in the past year. Af-

ter the memorial service, the LHC will begin the Battleship Alive event at 8 am aboard the Battleship North Carolina Memorial.

This Living History program takes you back in time. The crew shows how drills were done on ship in terms of the guns, machinery and even the bridge. You can walk through the close quarters where the sailors slept and read actual letters from service men who served on the ship during World War II. Some areas of the ship have been reconstructed to replicate various departments that were critical to running the ship.

Life on the ship had challenges. “Stick 2,000 guys on a metal can and send them out to sea. There is no privacy, you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, there are limited activities that you can do, but you build camaraderie. You form a bond with those with whom you served over shared experiences. You see different parts of the world together. You work together, and you work hard. The experience and your ship mates will always be a part of your life,” Chuck explained.

“Not to take away from modern sailors, because it’s always hard to

History

be away from family, friends, and civilization, but I do believe that life at sea was rougher in World War II,” Chuck said. “First and foremost, they were at war. That is the main thing, but the accommodations weren’t nearly as nice as on modern day ships, the manning was denser, ships weren’t air conditioned, and you didn’t have TV, internet, or any of those things we have come to rely on. I like to show people one of the enlisted ‘heads,’

that’s Navy for bathroom! It has a half a dozen urinals, about a dozen toilets and two showers in that head. That there were only two showers tells you something about life on a ship back then!”

Touring the ship is certainly a walk back in time. Will Murray, also a LHC member, said, “My favorite thing is Sick Bay—it’s the coolest part of the ship. It’s all 1930s technology. We have a dentist’s office, pharmacy, and recovery room; and at the time, it was considered as good or better than any hospital in the country.”

Both Chuck and Will share a love of history. Will said, “Visiting the

Battleship is a great opportunity to come and see a personal face put on the ship. You can read about it, but when you come aboard and see guys dressed like a World War II sailor, then you get a sense of how this was a living, breathing ship. Despite it being war time, guys were living their best life. They were coming out of the Great Depression, they were getting food, clothes, a place to sleep and were being paid.”

LHC members try to dress the part as well. “We get a lot of uniforms from veteran’s families after the veteran has died,” Chuck said. “Families don’t want the history and pride to die out in someone’s

attic, so they donate it to us. We also source for original uniforms on eBay. The funny thing is that the donated uniforms are so small. We must be a bigger generation! I remember thinking how odd it was when I found out that Admiral Chester Nimitz was small. His naval accomplishments during World War II were huge. He was promoted to the rank of 5-star Admiral of the Fleet — one of only three others to hold that rank — but here he was, just a 5-foot, 8 inches tall guy with a job to do.”

The USS NORTH CAROLINA also had a job to do. Commissioned on April 9, 1941, the ship is classified as BB55, or the 55th battleship, and was built in the Brooklyn, New York shipyards. She has 15 “battle stars,” meaning that the USS NORTH CAROLINA was recognized fifteen times for meritorious participation in battle/major conflict or for having suffered damage during battle conditions. A crew of approximately 2,400 sailors served on the ship during wartime.

The Battleship North Carolina served in Western Pacific activities.

the 12,000 North Carolinians who were lost in battle in World War II, only 12 of whom were from the Battleship North Carolina.

In 1945, she participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima in February and then on Okinawa in March and April, 1945. She now proudly sits as a memorial to the men who served and to

There are only nine Battleships left in the world today. Eight of them are in the United States and one, the Mikasa, is in Japan. We are lucky to have the Battleship North Carolina available to us. Chuck Hood and Will Murray think that this is the best kept, most accessible of all of those ships. Both of them said, “If you haven’t been to the battleship you need to come. The battleship and LHC are targeted to all people, not just young people.”

On April 20, be a part of the Battleship Alive celebration for what remains of the Greatest Generation. Experience the Battleship North Carolina and

all she has to offer. Take a step back in time and enjoy the World War II living history interpreters. Think about getting involved with the Living History Crew—what better way to honor the men and women of the Greatest Generation.

Events begin at 8:00 am.

History

Gen. Lee Day By Day

Brunswick Civil War Round Table Meeting STORY

Lost in all of the military histories of the Civil War, and even in most of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s biographies, is what the general was doing when he was out of history’s “public” eye. This curiosity is the topic of guest historian Charles R. Knight at the Tuesday, April 2 meeting of the Brunswick Civil War Round Table. The meeting will be held at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach, and the public is welcome.

His presentation will be based on his much-acclaimed book, “From Arlington to Appomattox: Robert E. Lee’s Civil War, Day by Day, 1861-1865,” based on hundreds of first-person accounts of what the man experienced on a daily basis. It begins at the dawn of Virginia’s secession in April, 1861, and works its way to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in April, 1865. Focusing on where he was, who he was with, and what he was doing day-by-day offers an entirely differ-

ent appreciation for Lee.

While we can’t expect our guest speaker to go into detail on this four-year period during his hour-plus long presentation, he will offer a significant glimpse into some rather unique information about Lee’s life that will surely captivate everyone who attends. Plus, we can be assured to get a fresh sense of Lee’s struggles, both personal and profes-

sional, and learn some things about Lee through his personal correspondence and papers from his family, his staff, his lieutenants, and the men of his army.

In Knight’s book (although this is not a book review) one historian wrote, “Brilliant…. really gives one a sense of what it took to both lead and run an army in the Civil war…. Superb.” Or, “Knight’s study will become the standard reference work on Lee’s daily wartime experiences,” expressed another Civil War author. Others said, “A staggering work of scholarship,” and “Keeps the reader engaged.” Finally, “Anyone with even a glimmer of interest in Civil War history needs this book.” In anticipation of our

upcoming meeting, we can be assured this will not be “just another” Lee biography-type presentation, but excerpts of rare information most of us never knew or even heard.

Knight is a native of Richmond, Virginia, where he developed a love of history at an early age. He is an award-winning historian, and has worked at museums and historic sites for more than two decades with a focus on education, collections, exhibits, and administrative areas. He is a prolific writer/author of two books (three more in progress), journal articles, and book reviews. In addition, he is an experienced public speaker and presenter on a wide variety of historical presentations to audiences across the country.

Registration for the meeting begins at 6:15 pm and the program starts at 7 pm. The guest fee is $10, and can be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues. For more information about the Tuesday, April 2 meeting, contact president John Butler at Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com, or call him at 404-229-9425. Or, visit the website at Brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com to learn more, become a member, or learn about member benefits. The group’s Facebook page also has additional information, news, and updates.

CALENDAR

April

We’ve included events here that were scheduled at press time, but please remember that all events, dates and times are subject to change. For programs offered through the Town of Leland, visit https://apm.activecommunities.com/ townofleland/ to register online or register in person at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

APRIL 2

Brunswick Civil War Round Table

Popular historian Chris Fonvielle leads a discussion on “Why the Civil War is Still Important.” The group meets at Hatch Auditorium at Fort Caswell, at the end of Caswell Beach Road. Registration starts at 6:15 pm, and the program begins at 7 pm. The fee for non-members is $10, and can be used toward the $25 annual membership dues.

APRIL 5

Family Nighttime Easter Egg HuntHolden Beach

Teams of four will compete in this family-friendly event. Participants need their own flashlights and something to carry their eggs. Pre-registration by March 18 is required and space is limited to the first 100 families. Email christy.ferguson@hbtownhall.com to register.

APRIL 9

Author Event Series

Pelican Bookstore and Silver Coast Winery present an evening with author Donna Everhart. The event starts at 5:30 pm at the Winery, 6680 Barbecue Road, and features a glass of wine, light hors d’oeuvres and a signed copy of “When the Jessamine Grows.” Call 910-2872800 for tickets.

APRIL 10

Operation Medicine Cabinet — Dosher

Drop off expired and unwanted medicine at this drive-through collection, 9 am to 1 pm at the front entrance of Dosher Memorial Hospital, 924 N. Howe St. in Southport.

APRIL 13

Market on Mulberry

Browse for local foods and works from crafters and artisans at the Market, 9 am to 12 noon at the Park, 123 Mulberry St.

APRIL 13

Spring Craft Fair

The Grissettown Fire Department is hosting a craft fair from 9 am to 2 pm at the station, 758 Longwood Drive, Ocean Isle Beach.

APRIL 13

Wings & Wheels

Check out classic and cool cars and planes during this event presented by the EAA Chapter 939. A pancake breakfast starts the day off from 8:30 to 11 am (plates are $7), and hot dogs and burgers will be on sale from 11:30 am to 1 pm. There will be music, a 50/50 raffle, and awards at 2 pm.

APRIL 18

2nd Annual Beach Ball

Enjoy dinner and learn something new at this fundraiser for the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium. Tickets are $125 each, and the event will be at Seabreeze Bar & Restaurant, 1882 Goos Creek Road SW, Ocean Isle Beach (in Brick Landing Plantation). The evening also features speakers — EarthEcho Youth Engagement Coordinator Tori Hunt and Brunswick County Schools Career Ready Coordinator Dr. Daniel Richardson. (See story elsewhere in this issue).

APRIL 20

Waterway Clean Up Day

Help keep our waters clean and enjoyable for all during the annual clean up. Volunteers will work at three sites — Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle beach and Shallotte River Inlet); the starting point is the Ocean Isle Beach Marina, 2000 Sommersett Road. The clean up is 9 am to noon, and volunteers do not need a boat to participate. Visit https://www. waterwaycleanupday.com/ for more details.

APRIL 20

Living History: Tar, Pitch and Turpentine, Oh My!

Tour the grounds of Brunswick Town/ Fort Anderson and enjoy living history demonstrations of the production of tar, pitch and turpentine. Tar production will begin at approximately 11 am and another will begin at 1:30 pm, and pitch and turpentine production will be continued throughout the day. Visitors will get a chance to learn about the components of naval stores and their importance to the area. The event is free, 10 am to 4 pm at the site, 8884 Saint Philips Road SE, Winnabow (off N.C. 133).

APRIL 25

Tribute to the Doors Concert

Enjoy an evening of live music in the Free Spirit Conservatory of the Arts, 8840 Old Georgetown Rd SW, beautiful studio space. Tickets are $20 and available at myfreespirit.org or the FSCA Facebook page

APRIL 26

All That Jazz — N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport

Enjoy a night of good jazz, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary bootleg

cocktail. There will be dancing, and live and silent auctions. This benefit event for the Museum is 6-9 pm at the Southport Community Center, 223 E. Bay St. Tickets are $75 per person/$150 per couple. Visit https:// www.friendsncmmsouthport.com/allthat-jazz-fundraiser.

APRIL 27

Bluegrass by the Beach 2024

Enjoy live music from bluegrass musicians Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys and more. Tickets are $25 each, and $12 for students, and the event is 4-8 pm at the Sunset Beach Pier101 W. Main St. The event is a fundraiser for Supply - Demand Internships, a program that teaches students about all aspects of construction and design. The event also features food trucks and offerings from Makai Brewery. Visit www.fullspectrumdesignsfirm.com for more information.

APRIL 27

Market on Mulberry

Browse for local foods and works from crafters and artisans at the Market, 9 am to 12 noon at the Park, 123

Learn about how naval stores drove the economy of Brunswick Town at a living history event April 20 at the Brunswick Town State Historic Site

Mulberry St.

APRIL 27

Varnamtown Craft Fair

The Varnamtown Town Hall lawn hosts the craft fair, 10 am to 3 pm, 100 Varnamtown Road. Parking is available at Dixon Chapel, 185 Varnamtown Road SW, and there will be a shuttle; no parking will be allowed on the event grounds.

APRIL 27-28

Days at the Docks

Enjoy arts and crafts and food vendors, live music and the famous Dopple Races along the Intracoastal Waterway on Holden Beach. Hosted by the Greater Holden Beach Merchants Association

MAY 4

Juleps and Jazz

The South Brunswick Islands Women’s Club hosts this Kentucky Derby Fund “Racer,” complete with a best hat contest, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar (with bourbon and jazzy juleps, of course), a live jazz band, silent auction and raffles, and a livestream of the 150th Kentucky Derby. The derby party is 4-7:30 pm at the Brunswick Senior Center, 101 Stone Chimney Road in Supply. Tickets are $75; visit https:// www.sbiwc.org/home. The Club raises funds and volunteers with many local charitable organizations in many areas, such as hunger, education, medical care, elder care, and more.

Ongoing Events

Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College

150 College Road NW, Bolivia

Feb 29 — Supreme Reflections Tribute for Diana Ross and The Supremes

March 14 — Cashback — Johnny and June Carter Cash Tribute

ONGOING EVENTS

Museum of Coastal Carolina

21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach

The Museum is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays 12-

4 pm.

Ingram Planetarium

7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach

Open Monday-Saturday 10:30 am - 4 pm for dome shows and science displays. Laser shows run hourly from 5:30 - 8 pm Monday - Saturday. Visit https:// musemplanetarium.org/ingram-planetarium/ to see the show schedule..

NC Maritime MuseumsSouthport

204 E. Moore St.

Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. Sensory Saturdays (low light and quiet time in the museum) are the first Saturday of the month, 10 am to noon. The March 16 Deep Dive Into History program features information on Merchant Marines during WWII. Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum. com to register for special programs.

Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site

8884 St. Philip’s Rd. SE, Winnabow

There is plenty to do and see, with a museum, historic ruins, great information on the site’s history, and some of the most beautiful riverfront property in the County. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Don’t see your event or location listed? Try as we might, we don’t catch everything, so to be sure to be included send your events to lisa@southportmag.com before the 20th of each month! -- Thank you!

Looking for something to do besides going to the beach? Here you’ll find lots of fun for the entire family. Be sure to check before you go as hours may change and some attractions may be seasonal

Attractions

INGRAM PLANETARIUM

7625 High Market Street

Sunset Beach (mainland)

https://museumplanetarium.org/ingram-planetarium/

Enjoy musical laser shows and learn more about the night sky; check website for schedule and tickets. Hands-on activities and interactive displays are available in the Paul Dennis Science Center, and admission to the Center is free.

MUSEUM OF COASTAL CAROLINA

21 E. 2nd St.

Ocean Isle Beach

https://museumplanetarium.org/

Learn more about our coastal environment, with a live touch tank, saltwater aquariums, interactive exhibits, lectures and family programs. The Mu-

Attractions Guide

seum is open 10 am to 4 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 5-7 pm on the second Tuesday for sandbar lectures.

SHALLOTTE RIVER SWAMP PARK

5550 Watts Road SW

Ocean Isle Beach (mainland)

https://www.shallotteriverswamppark. com/

This adventure park features zip line tours, an aerial park, guided ATV tours and eco-tours on a swamp boat.

PLANET FUN/STARZ GRILL

349 Whiteville Road

Shallotte

https://planetfuncenter.com/

This family entertainment center offers arcade games, laser tag, and bowling (including cosmic bowling on weekends), many TVs for watching all the games, and a restaurant.

SHALLOTTE RIVERWALK

Gazebos at 159 Cheers St. and 146 Wall St.

The Riverwalk is open from dawn to dusk, and features a quarter mile boardwalk, gazebos at each end and beautiful views of the Shallotte River.

OLD BRIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

109 Shoreline Drive West Sunset Beach (mainland)

http://www.theoldbridge.org/

The old swing bridge that used to connect Sunset Beach to the mainland has been preserved as a museum. The Museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm, with stories about the Sunset Beach Swing Bridge tender house, local history, and more.

STUMP HILL FARMS

2030 Ash-Little River Road NW

Ash

https://www.stumphillfarms.com/

The farm is open on Saturdays in April and October, and by appointment or for special events other times of year, with hay rides, games for children, and educational opportunities covering bee pollination and local crops.

GRAYCE WYNDS FARM AND THE WILD HORSE RESERVE AT GRAYCE WYNDS

2450 Grayce Wynds Drive Supply, NC 28462

Visit the farm, take a guided tour, or participate in special events. Check https://www.graycewyndsfarm.com/ for tours available and events.

TREASURE ISLAND MINIATURE GOLF

3445 Holden Beach Rd.

Holden Beach

(910) 842-4878

Parks

There are so many great spots to get out and enjoy this beautiful county. We’ve listed a few of the main parks here, but keep an eye out for smaller pocket parks and water access areas.

HOLDEN BEACH PAVILION AND BRIDGEVIEW PARK

The Pavilion is tucked in next to the west side of the bridge on the island, and Bridgeview Park is a couple blocks down the Intracoastal Waterway, at Davis Street.

TOWN CENTER PARK

11 E. Second St.

Ocean Isle Beach

This town park has an amphitheater, interactive fountain, bocce ball court, playground, and plenty of bike parking.

SHALLOTTE PARK

5550 Main St.

Ball fields, tennis courts, basketball court, a playground, picnic shelters and a dog park.

MULBERRY STREET PARK

123 Mulberry Street

SILVERY COAST WINERY

6680 Barbeque Road

Ocean Isle Beach

https://silvercoastwinery.com/

Winery tours, tastings, and shop for wine accessories and gifts; event rental space also available.

OCEAN ISLE MINI GOLF

6391 Beach Drive SW

Ocean Isle Beach

http://oceanisleminigolf.com

Shallotte

Picnic shelters, an amphitheater, and home to Shallotte’s outdoor markets

SUNSET BEACH TOWN PARK

Sunset Boulevard North (mainland)

Stroll through five acres of live oaks along the Intracoastal Waterway, sit a spell on a bench, do some fishing or visit the Veterans Memorial.

Go Under The Sea at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach

OCEAN ISLE BEACH PARK

6483 Old Georgetown Road

The Park features 2 playgrounds, eight tennis courts, four pickleball courts, baseball and softball fields, a dog park, basketball courts, an amphitheater, picnic shelter and a multipurpose field for soccer/football with walking trail and fitness stations.

WACCAMAW PARK

5855 Waccamaw School Road NW, Ash

This park features ball fields, basketball court, tennis courts, playground, bocce ball and a nine-hole disc golf course.

Fishing Piers

SUNSET BEACH FISHING PIER

101 W. Main St.

Sunset Beach

http://sunsetbeachpier.com/

OCEAN ISLE BEACH PIER

1 W. First St.

Ocean Isle Beach

https://oibpier.com/

Fishing Charters

Boat Tours

Boat Rentals

OCEAN ISLE FISHING CENTER

65 Causeway Drive

Ocean Isle Beach

https://www.oifc.com/

TOUR H2O

Locations in Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Southport

https://tourh2o.com/

CAROLINAS COASTAL ADVENTURE TOURS

2000 Sommerset Road SW

Ocean Isle Beach (mainland)

https://www.ccattours.com/

SALT FEVER GUIDE SERVICE

21 Causeway Drive

Ocean Isle Beach

https://www.saltfeverguideservice. com/

HURRICANE FLEET - LEAVES FROM THE CALABASH WATERFRONT

https://hurricanefleet.com/

CALABASH FISHING FLEET

9945 Nance St. Calabash

https://calabashfishingfleet.com/

HOLDEN BEACH FISHING

https://www.holdenbeachfishing.com/

HOLDEN BEACH WATERSPORTS

3325 Old Ferry Road SW Holden Beach

https://www.holdenbeachwatersports. com/index.html

BLUE PLANET WATERSPORTS

7156 Beach Drive Ocean Isle Beach

https://blueplanetwatersports.com/

HOLDEN BEACH JET SKI RENTALS

1305 Cedar Landing Road SW Supply

https://www.holdenbeachjetski.com

SORTA SALTY FISHING CHARTERS

Holden Beach

https://sortasalty.com

OLLIE RAJA CHARTERS

3238 Pompano St. SW Holden Beach/Oak Island

https://holdenbeachfishingcharters. com/