July 2023 Southport Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE

Thisissue celebrates Independence Day in all sorts of ways.

First of all, we’ve got a rundown of 4th of July Festival events, including a full schedule and bit of a peek behind the scenes through the stories of two men who’ve helped pull the Festival off for many years. We also have a piece on one of Brunswick County’s few black World War I veterans posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor, a look at the ECU Archaeology Field School’s latest dig at a tavern in Brunswick Town where the seeds of rebellion were most likely growing a decade before the Declaration was signed, and an interview with NC Representative Charlie Miller, a hometown Southport guy who serves his community as the duly elected representative.

ut we don’t forget it’s still summer after the 4th! We also speak with the owners of Southport Suzie’s Fro-Yo and Wine, just the thing for some summer refreshment. And we tell you all about an Oak Islander’s newly invented beach game set. Cheers!

STAFF

EDITOR

Jeffrey Stites editor@southportmag.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Lisa P. Stites lisa@southportmag.com

LEAD DESIGNER

Liz Brinker

lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS

Chuck and Sue Cothran

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Carla Edstrom

Patty Langer

Lisa P. Stites

Jeffrey Stites

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jeffrey Stites

PUBLISHER & SALES

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@southportmag.com

910-471-7741

CONSULTANT

Kris Beasley

PO Box 10175, Southport, NC 28461

Southport Magazine is published once a month by Live Oak Media with an extra publication in July for the Southport Fourth of July Festival. The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of the staff.

Annual Subscription: $45

jeff@southportmag.com

910-471-7741

4th of July Festival

4th of July Events

2023 Festival Brings Back Old Favorites

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

The 2023 Fourth Of July Festival begins the end of this month, and it is never too early to begin making plans to enjoy all the fun. This year’s festival features a few new events and many returning favorites such as Beach Day, the Fireman’s Competition, a parade and two fireworks displays. We have a full schedule in this issue, but here’s a review of what’s in store at this year’s festival.

Friday, June 30

The Festival kicks off with a Welcoming Ceremony at 6 pm on the Fort Johnson Lawn, 203 E. Bay Street, to be followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a concert by the Sea Notes Coastal Harmonizers.

Saturday, July 1

Oak Island celebrates its birthday with Beach Day events all day and into the night. The horseshoe tournament kicks things off at 8 am in Middleton Park, SE 46th Street. Sign ups for corn hole, bocce ball and volley

ball tournaments begin at 10 am at the 46th Street beach access with the tournaments getting started at 11 am on the beach. At 1 pm gather your team and enter the sand castle building contest!

Middleton Park hosts youth activities, inflatable rides, contests and food vendors from 11 am - 2 pm. At 5:45 pm Oak Island will hold its own Welcoming Ceremony followed by a concert and shag contest featuring the Carl Newton Review.

The first fireworks show of the festival takes place at the Oak Island Pier, 705 Ocean drive at 9 pm. Great fireworks viewing is available all up and down Oak Island’s beach strand.

Over in Southport, the 38th Annual Fireman’s Competition and Apparatus Expo begins at 4 pm on Nash Street near the post office.

Sunday, July 2

Children’s entertainment takes over the Fort Johnson Lawn from 12 - 2 pm. A new event, Clicks of Confidence and Trick Horses perform in in Taylor Field Park, 409 E. Nash Street, at 4 pm and down on the waterfront, the Red, White and Blue Flotilla motors up and down the Cape Fear River and Intracoastal Waterway beginning at 4 pm. Waterfront Park at the foot of Howe Street offers great viewing space for the flotilla.

In the evening, the 440th Army Band plays on the Fort Johnson Lawn at 5 pm. At 5:45 there will be a reading of the Declaration followed by a Salute To Veterans at the Souhtport Community Building. At 7 pm dance the night away at waterfront Park with a concert by Highway Miles.

Monday, July 3

Children’s activities begin at Waterfront Park at 8 am for the early rising young folks and moves to the Fort Johnson Lawn from 12 - 2 pm. Local acts will take to the stage at Waterfront Park from 12 - 3 pm, followed by a flag retirement ceremony on the Waterfront Stage.

The Naturalization Ceremony is back this year on the Fort Johnson Lawn at 4:30 pm followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Monday night is the Street Dance featuring music by ReSoul beginning at 7 pm on the Waterfront Stage.

Tuesday, July 4

The Fourth of July Parade begins with a flag raising ceremony at the corner of Moore Street and Howe Street. The parade will run from Moore and Atlantic then up Howe Street to 9th Street, so stake out a good spot early!

After the parade enjoy another Declaration reading on the Fort Johnson Lawn at 1 pm, followed by a Celebration of the

Pledge of Allegiance at 2 pm and military and first responder vehicle displays on Bay Street from 1 - 3 pm.

The Waterfront Stage host Community Entertainment from 1 - 4 pm.

Back on Oak Islands, cheer for the Live Pro Wrestling in Middleton Park from 3 - 5 pm followed by an Uncle Sam Skydive on the beach at 46th Street. At 5 pm.

To cap off the festivities, The Castaways play on the Waterfront Stage in Souhtport beginning at 6 followed by the fireworks at the Southport waterfront at 9 pm.

Of course each day from July 2 -4 there will Arts and Crafts and Food Concessions in Franklin Square Park as well a Food Truck Row at Waterfront Park as well as a 9/11 Traveling Memorial on Nash Street.

4th

4th of July Schedule

Find Out What To Do, When and Where

TheNorth Carolina 4th of July Festival is nothing if not huge. With so much to do, you’ll have to plan ahead to make sure you hit all your favorites, and sample a few new events as well. Here is a look at the Festival Schedule as it stands at press time.

Wetake a deeper dive into some festival events following the schedule and we include some tips based on our own festival experiences. We hope you find this useful and wish you a very Happy Independence Day!

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

Southport

9 am - 2 pm American Red Cross Blood Drive (by appointment only), Southport Baptist Church, 200 N. Howe St.

6 pm Welcoming Ceremony, Garrison

House Lawn, 203 East Bay St.

6:15 pm Reading of the Declaration of Independence and signing opportunity, Garrison Lawn

6:30 pm Coastal Harmonizers, Garrison Lawn

SATURDAY, JULY 1

Oak Island Beach Day

8 am Horseshoe Tournament, Middleton Park

10 am Registration for all beach athletic events, on the beach in front

of the Cabana, SE 46th Street

11 am - 2 pm Youth activities including inflatables, rides, games and food, Middleton Park

11 am Corn Hole, Bocce Ball and Beach Volleyball

Tournaments, on the beach in front of the Cabana, SE 46th Street

1 pm Sand Sculpture Contest, on the beach in front of the Cabana, SE 46th Street

5:45 Welcoming Ceremony, Middleton Park Pavilion

6-9 pm Beach Day Concert featuring the Carl Newton Review, Middleton Park Pavilion

6 pm Live Music on the Oak Island Pier by The Doorsmen

6-6:45 pm Shag Contest Registration, Middleton Park

4th of July

7 pm Shag Contest, during intermission of the concert

9 pm (or dusk) Oak Island Anniversary Fireworks, Oak Island Pier, 705 Ocean Drive. Visible for miles on the beach either side of the pier

Southport

4 pm 38th Annual Firefighters Competition and Apparatus Expo, 115 E Nash St.

SUNDAY, JULY 2

Southport

10 am Community Entertainment, Generations Church, Waterfront Park

10 am - 11 pm Trolley available from Southport Elementary School, 701 W. 9th St. to Keziah Park

12-2 pm Children’s Entertainment, Garrison Lawn

1-4 pm Community Entertainment, various bands perform at Southport

Coffee Co, The Haven, The Tiki Tavern, Southport Tap & Cellar, and American Fish Company

1-6 pm Arts and Crafts, Franklin Square Park, 130 E. West St.

1-6 pm Voter Registration, Franklin Square Park

1-7 pm Food Concessions, Franklin Square Park

1-10 pm Food Truck Row, Waterfront Park

2-4 pm Clicks of Confidence and Trick Horses, Taylor Field Park, 409 E. Nash St.

2:30-4 Lockwood

Folly Band, Waterfront Park

4 pm Red, White and Blue Freedom

Flotilla, Waterfront Park

5 pm 440th Army Band, Garrison Lawn

5:45 Reading of the Declaration of Independence and signing opportunity, Garrison Lawn

6 pm Salute To Veterans, Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St.

7-10 pm Waterfront Stage Entertainment, Highway Miles

MONDAY, JULY 3

Southport

8 am Children’s Games, Waterfront Park

10 am - 5 pm Arts and Crafts, Franklin Square Park

10 am - 5 pm Voter Registration, Franklin Square Park

10 am - 7 pm Food Concessions, Franklin Square Park

10 am - 11 pm Trolley available from Southport Elementary School, 701 W. 9th St. to Keziah Park

12-1:15 pm Chris Mozy performs,

PRESENTING SPONSOR EAGLE

STARS & STRIPES

PATRIOT

INDEPENDENCE

LIBERTY

FREEDOM SPARKLER

Board of Directors

Chairperson Randy Jones

Vice Chair Lucinda Arnold

Treasurer Duncan Hilburn

Immediate Past Chair/Publicity Div. Trisha Howarth

Past Festival Chairman Ira Wayne Berry

At Large Karen Anderson, Ali Travis

Security Advisor Todd Coring

Events Division Chair Hugh Fosbury

Finance Division Chair Brett McKeithan

Logistics Division Chair Rick Sessa

Ex-O cio

City of Southport Adlerman Robert Carroll

Town of Oak Island David Kelly

Additional Support Administrator Allayna Dail

Government Division

Government Director Randy Jones

City of Southport Robert Carroll

Town of Oak Island David Kelly

Sunny Point & Military Rick Mitchell

Security Todd Coring

Publicity Division

Media & Public Relations Trisha Howarth

Sandy Krasnow, Cheryl Sierra, Allayna Dail, Carol Magnani, Zeb Starnes–Photographer

Events Calendar Jen Long, Dave Boyce

WATER DONORS

Food Lion, Oak Island • Food Lion, Southport • Lowes Food, Oak Island • Lowes Food, Southport Walgreens, Southport • Walmart, Southport

COMMITTEES

Community Outreach Trisha Howarth

Karen Anderson, Randy Jones

Finance Division

Finance Director Brett McKeithan

Arts & Crafts Marion Martin

Concessions Lucinda Arnold

Sponsorships Brett McKeithan, Leticia Nicholas Trisha Howarth, Rick Sessa, Mary Ellen Poole

Fundraising Brett McKeithan

Merchandise Virginia (Ginnie) Cummings Ricky Evans, Debbie Evans

Logistics Division

Logistics Director Rick Sessa

Hospitality Headquarters Jean Sessa, Rick Sessa

Miss NC Visit Rebecca Kelley

Necessity Stations Wayne Deutscher

Transportation (Shuttling) Allayna Dail

VIP Reviewing Stand Keesha Starr

Volunteer Coordinator Karen Anderson

Non-pro t Coordinator Allayna Dail

Events Division Events Director Hugh Fosbury

Beach Day Heather O’Brien Ryan Gordon

Children’s Games Heather Hemphill

Children’s Entertainment Mary Beth Livers

Declaration of Independence Rebecca Kelly

Fireman’s Competition Charles Drew, Todd Coring 911 Memorial Charles Drew

Flag Raising Ceremony Sandy Kennedy

Flag Retirement Ceremony Dave Holly

Mayor Mayor Joe Pat Hatem

Pledge of Allegiance Tish Hatem

Maritime Museum John Mosely, Shannon Walker

Naturalization Ceremony Tom Rabon, Trisha Howarth

Randy Jones

Welcoming Ceremonies Dorothy Dutton

Parade Duncan Hilburn

Ira Wayne Berry

Radio Operators Dave Lippincott (KM4EMR) Gary Quinn, George Fryer

Shriners Conrad Benton

Parade Book Rachel Lewis Hilburn

Salute to Veterans Dr. Ali Travis, DVM, Kate Marshall

Safety Vehicle Display Todd Coring, Charles Drew

Shag Contest John Hutton

Uncle Sam Jump Brian Strong

Freedom Flotilla Woody Wilson

Entertainment & Main Stage Bonnie Bray, John Kei er

Fireworks Randy Jones

Old Jail Tours Mary Ellen Poole

American Red Cross Blood Drive Amy Neeley

Wrestling Donald Brewer

Destaging/DropOff

11 am 4th of July Festival Parade, Moore and Howe Streets

12-2 pm Community Entertainment, Jamie Dooley, Waterfront Stage

1 pm Reading of the Declaration of Independence and signing opportunity, Garrison Lawn

1-3 pm Military and First Responder Vehicle Exhibits, Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park

12-2 pm Children’s Entertainment, Garrison Lawn

1-4 pm Community Entertainment, various band perform at Southport Coffee Co, The Haven, The Tiki Tavern, Southport Tap & Cellar, and American Fish Company

1-10 pm Food Truck Row, Waterfront Park

1:30-3:30 Salty Dawgs perform, Waterfront Park

3 pm Flag Retirement Ceremony, Waterfront Park

4 pm Brunswick Big Band, Garrison Lawn

4:30 Naturalization Ceremony, Garrison Lawn

5:30 Reading of the Declaration of Independence and signing opportunity, Garrison Lawn

7-10 pm Street Dance featuring ReSoul, Waterfront Park

TUESDAY, JULY 4

Oak Island

3-5 pm Live Pro wrestling, Middleton Park

5 pm Uncle Sam Skydive Show, Cabana Beachfront, 46th Street

Southport

7-10 am Pancake Breakfast, Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St.

1-4 pm Community Entertainment, various bands playing at Southport Coffee Co, The Haven and The Tiki Tavern

2 pm Celebration of the Pledge of Allegiance, Garrison Lawn

2:30 - 4 pm Parlay performs, Waterfront Park

6-9 pm The Castaways perform, Waterfront Park

9 pm Lions Club Boat Raffle Drawing, Waterfront Stage

9 pm Fireworks, Southport Waterfront

9:30 pm Castaways return to the stage

10 am - 11 pm

Trolley available from Southport Elementary School, 701 W. 9th Street to Keziah Park

10 am - 5 pm Arts and Crafts, Franklin Square Park, 130 E. West St.

10 am - 5 pm Voter Registration, Franklin Square Park

10 am - 5 pm

Food Concessions, Franklin Square Park

10 am -10 pm

Food Truck Row, Waterfront Park

10:30 am Flag Raising Ceremony, Intersection of Moore and Howe Streets

Oak Island Birthday

Enjoy Games, Music, Food and Fireworks

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

Ournational founding isn’t the only birthday we celebrate during the NC 4th of July Festival. On Saturday, July 1, the Town of Oak Island celebrates 24 years since Yaupon Beach and Long Beach joined together with Beach Day, a day full of contests, entertainment, children’s events, music, and a fireworks show to top it all off.

The festivities will fill Middleton Park, 4610 East Dolphin Drive, and the beach area by the Cabana across the street. Inflatables for the kiddies and concessions will be available from 11 am - 2 pm. Adults can compete in horseshoes, cornhole, bocce ball and volleyball, and all ages are invited to compete in a sand castle building contest and try out Beach Bowl, the new creation of island resident Lynn Hefele (see story on page ##).

The Carl Newton Review will take to the stage in the Middleton Park Pavilion at 6 pm with a shag contest featured during the band’s intermission at 7 pm. As night falls, the action moves to the Oak Island Pier, 801 Ocean Drive, and the surrounding beaches for the grand

24th Birthday Fireworks.

Traffic gets a little thick after the fireworks, so take note of the traffic flow map and consider that the fireworks can be seen well from all up and down Oak Island’s beach strand.

Patriotic Pointer: Beach Day is one of our favorite parts of the festival. There is so much to see and do, you’ll need a plan, but be sure not to miss the 1 pm sandcastle building contest. We love watching the different groups, some made up entirely of children, some mixed and some all adults, creating magic in the sand. And please do take into account that you don’t need to be right at the pier to see the fireworks. We’ve watched from as far away as 9th Street East and had a blast.

EVENTS SCHEDULE

Events organized by the Oak Island Recreation Department will begin at 8:00 AM in the Middleton Park Complex and continue on throughout the day:

LOCATION: Middleton Park Complex, 4610 E. Dolphin Drive, Oak Island

•8:00 AM: Horseshoe Tournament

•11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Inflatable rides, youth activities, and food concessions

•11:00 AM - 2:00 PM:  Food Concessions

LOCATION: Oak Island Cabana (SE 46th Street &, E Beach Drive)

•10:00 AM: Registration for Games -First come first serve to participate in the bocce ball, cornhole, volleyball and sandcastle building tournament.

•11:00 AM: Bocce Ball Tournament

•11:00 AM: Cornhole Tournament

•11:00 AM: Beach Volleyball Tournament

•1:00 PM: Sandcastle Building Competition

LOCATION: Middleton Park Amphitheater, 4610 E. Dolphin Drive, Oak Island

•6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Beach Day Concert with The Carl Newton Review

•6:00 PM - 8:00 PM:  Food

•6:00 PM - 6:45 PM:  Shag Contest Registration

•7:00 PM - Until: Shag Contest begins when band breaks

LOCATION: Oak Island Pier (705 Ocean Drive)

•6:00 PM: Live music on the Pier by The Doorsmen

•9:00 PM: Beach Day and Oak Island Anniversary Fireworks (Visible for miles along the Oak Island Beaches)

Parade Organizer

Wayne Berry’s Long History of Service

STORY CONTRIBUTED BY CHERYL L SERRA, NC 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL

Fifty years ago, in March of 1973, Wayne Berry came to Southport to open his CPA office and become involved in the community. And he’s still doing both, although most of the thousands of North Carolina 4th of July Festival’s parade spectators aren’t aware of his long-term contributions.

“Of course, the first year I was here we saw the Fourth of July Festival, and we saw the parade and couldn’t believe how professional the parade was with this small a town,” Wayne recalled. “I was very impressed with the Festival and wanted to be involved in the community. The next year I started volunteering with the Festival.”

When Wayne started volunteering in 1974, he had some good instructions from previous Festival organizers Robert Howard, Lee Aldridge and Cliff White. Wayne became Festival president in 1977 and in

the early 1990s he became parade chairman. He’s helped put it together ever since. He doesn’t want to take the credit alone, however, as there is a lot of help in this undertaking.

Wayne has had a parade co-chair, fellow CPA Duncan Hilburn, for the past decade or so, and Wayne’s daughter, Elizabeth, who was raised going to the parade, now lives in Raleigh but comes down each year to help.

Asked if his wife, Jill, also attends, Wayne said some years she does while others she’ll watch if it’s broadcast live on television,

or from their home on the parade route. Wayne says one year Jill offered to help with the parade, but he admits he wasn’t a very good instructor, so she left the planning to him thereafter.

During the early days of Wayne’s involvement with the Festival, it was run by a corporation governed by a board of directors who elected the president of the Festival. The president, in turn, rustled up committee members and volunteers to work the Festival. The president and the finance committee proposed a budget for the board of directors to approve. Once approved, the

TradingSouthportCompany

president and committees could plan the Festival. The president and the committees reported to the board.

Today, the president of the Festival is chairman of the board, referred to as Festival Chairman. There are different committees working on Festival events, including the parade committee chaired by Wayne, that report to the president.

Parade Planning is Steeped in Tradition

They start planning in March or April, seeking applications for units, or parade participants. The applications arrive by late June and they start lining them up, placing the units in the order they will proceed along the route on parade day. They like to have 115 to 125 units. With any more, the parade can get tiresome, particularly in the heat of Southport’s July.

Wayne noted that many of the units are comprised by the Shriners, who have been with the parade for many, many years. “We couldn’t have the parade without

them, honestly,” he says.

There’s an etiquette to the parade lineup. Tradition dictates, for instance, those presently holding a political office — such as mayor, local and county commissioners, state cabinet members or area representatives — are lined up according to their office. Then judges, according to their level, such as state supreme court. The parade begins with a color guard, with the military color guard going before the ROTC color guard, which goes before the civil air patrol color guard. Major sponsors’ floats go after the parade marshal.

Regarding parade royalty, if you will, following tradition, Miss North Carolina would go before any other festival queen, barring Miss America; local or visiting queens would go after. Wayne said it’s been several years since Southport has had a 4th of July Festival Parade Queen.

If they have horse units, they go after walking units (for obvious disposal reasons). Parade committee members try to space out fire department and emergency medical units.

“Sometimes it even gets down to when did the application come in? How soon did they obligate themselves?” Wayne said of

the hierarchy.

Parade volunteers have been pretty lucky, with 1976 being the only year they had a lot of rain for the parade. It was raining the proverbial cats and dogs, Wayne recalled, but Miss North Carolina was here and she climbed in the convertible and said, “Let’s go,” so they went.

In the early days, the Festival was largely funded by fundraising — barbecues, hot dog roasts and galas. Today, they are largely funded by sponsors, businesses or organizations that fund different parts of the Fes-

Now Open!

CREATIVE SOUTHERN CUISINE

Join

105 E BROWN ST. SOUTHPORT • 910-931-0786

SOUTHERNSOUTHPORT@GMAIL.COM

@SOUTHERN_AGATHERINGPLACE

tival. In return, sponsors get to have their name associated with the popular event. The arts and craft and food vendors also pay fees to participate,

which help defray Festival costs. Wayne said it’s important to note there is no charge to attend any Festival events.

In the Festival’s earlier days, a lot of the Festival’s administrative work was done by the president and his committees, often through their company or workplace. “A lot of times it had to be someone from a bank or someone from a governmental unit or certainly someone who was self-employed

that was willing to support the president in that area,” Wayne explains.

Later, the board of directors, comprised of past Festival presidents, found it was getting more difficult to find people willing to step up to serve as Festival president. At this time the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce had been organized and was going strong. The board of directors asked the Chamber of Commerce to take over the Festival administration. They did that admirably until recently, when the Festival asked the City of Southport to provide the administrative support.

While a great many parts of the Festival are longstanding customs, the naturalization ceremony is an example of a more recent addition that has become a popular part of the Festival.

“It was a good addition because I think it parallels with what the Festival is trying to do. The Festival has always been geared toward the patriotic support of the military and to celebrate the independence of the United States and all those that have basically contributed to maintain that independence,” Wayne says.

Fireworks’ Friend

Charlie Perry Works Behind The Scenes

STORY CONTRIBUTED BY CHERYL L SERRA, NC 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL

Enhancing the Southport area waterfront is in Charlie Perry’s DNA, and his giving nature has been passed on to his son, Tommy. Together the father and son duo continue to support the North Carolina 4th of July Festival by providing the equipment — including a barge and a place to load and unload — necessary to shoot the fireworks that dazzle thousands of spectators each year, a process that began for Charlie in the late 1980s.

Charlie, a near octogenarian, was born in Bladen County and had been coming to this area with his parents and grandfather since the 50s. He remembers catching the trolley car to Wrightsville Beach, where his grandfather had a home.

Charlie later moved to the area, where he worked construction, and ran charter and fishing boats. In the late 1970s and early 1980s he began marine construction full time. It seemed a natural progression for him since he and his dad had built boats and docks on lakes Norman and Wylie in the 1960s.

“I’ve been a water person all my life,” he said.

Charlie performed much of the marina construction in the area and built docks, bulkheads and other facilities in Deep Point, South Harbour Marina, Indigo, St. James and in various other locations going all the way down to Myrtle Beach.

“Daddy set all the pilings in all the marinas that he just mentioned,” son Tommy explained proudly.

Charlie also owned the waterfront property that now contains the American Fish Company and Flava’s Ice Cream, and he ran Port Charlie’s Restaurant and Marker One Lounge.

Charlie married his wife, Karen, on July 4, 1979 at his American Fish Company (when it was actually a fish company rather than a waterfront bar). Perhaps the date was destined to be a major milestone in their lives.

Tommy says his mother was also very involved with the American Fish Company for more than 30 years. During its heyday, they unloaded and bought

about a hundred thousand pounds of fish a week. The labor required — unloading bait, loading fish into trucks, loading fuel and ice onto boats — began at 4:30 am and often went throughout the night.

Tommy says his parents also owned a fish market called Pride of the South Seafood, located in New York.

During this time, Southport’s fireworks were shot off in front of the fish house.

“I had the facilities and the means to do it,” Charlie said. “They [the city] needed someone to help them out so I volunteered and that’s when we started. It would cost too much to get a tug and a barge out of Wilmington, and they couldn’t afford it,” so Charlie offered to do it at a greatly reduced price. Companies trained in fireworks would be hired to shoot them off.

“My daddy did this for the city of Southport not really to make money, but as a favor. They always appreciated it,” Tommy says. “My daddy’s donated a lot to the city of Southport,” he said, including the periscope in the NC Maritime Museum in Southport.

Charlie sold the waterfront property in the early 2000s because the fishing business he’d been running wasn’t being supported by the government, he says, and he therefore didn’t think the business was feasible.

At the time, he had the property that houses his current businesses, American Fish Shop & American Marine Construction. But he and Tommy still provide the equipment for the company contracted to shoot the fireworks.

Looking back on the fireworks and the NC 4th of July Festival, Charlie said, “It’s

gotten bigger and bigger every year. Sometimes we have good years and sometimes not so good, depending on the weather.”

He noted that even though Southport is the official site for the North Carolina festivities, they don’t get state funding for

it. He credits Karen Sphar, Executive Vice President of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce, with supporting the NC 4th of July Festival. Until recently, the chamber provided administrative support for the event, a function the city of Southport recently undertook.

On the night of the fireworks, Charlie and Tommy help the contracted company load and unload the fireworks, a process that is carefully monitored to ensure there are no mishaps. They are also available in case there are any emergencies. Thankfully, they’ve never had one.

Asked if they’ll continue to help out with the fireworks Charlie says, “As long as we’re able to we can.”

Veteran Recognition

Civil Air Patrol Honored At Dinner

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

TheVeteran Recognition Ceremony is a mainstay of the 4th of July Festival. During the many festival celebrations, it gives people the chance to stop and remember those who serve our country, protecting our freedoms. All veterans are encouraged to attend.

This year’s NC 4th of July Festival Veteran Recognition Ceremony will honor the Civil Air Patrol, Brunswick County Squadron at 6 pm on Sunday, July 2, at the Southport Community Building (223 E. Bay St.).

The Veteran Recognition event, sponsored this year by River Road Animal Hospital, is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have served our country and is open to the public.

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally-chartered, federally supported

non-profit that serves as auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). Established on December 1, 1941, six days before Pearl Harbor, the CAPl defended America’s shores and borders, trained soldiers and airmen and rescued thousands of men and women. Over the past 75 years, CAP has remained committed to the mission of emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs. CAP operates approximately 550 aircraft nationwide and has an estimated 64,000 members.

One of 30 all-volunteer CAP Squadrons

in North Carolina, the Brunswick County Squadron has 47 members (18 senior members and 29 cadets) and has been assigned a Cessna 182 airplane, one of the 13 aircraft currently allocated to North Carolina.

The Brunswick County Composite Squadron (NC-170) is headquartered at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport. A communications room, 12-passenger van and communications trailer, a mission pilot, information technologies officer and assistant operations and maintenance offi-

A STRATEGIC FINANCIAL LIFE WITH US

For products and services that can help form the foundation of your financial life, turn to Prudential Advisors.

4th of July

cer are all housed at the Brunswick County headquarters.

Captain H. Karl Noffke will be the keynote speaker of the Veterans Recognition event. Noffke joined the Brunswick Composite Squadron in June of 2017, shortly after moving from Connecticut and retiring to North Carolina with his wife, Linda. He became the squadron commander in October, 2019. His military service includes the USAF/CT Air National Guard. He served as a supervisor, aircraft electro-environmental shop and is a retired master sergeant.

Captain Noffke earned his M.B.A from the University of New Haven in Connecti-

cut; a B.S. in Business Management from Teikyo University, Connecticut where in graduated Magna Cum Laude; an associate degree in management from Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College, Connecticut; and an electronic technician certificate from the Connecticut School of Electronics. His experience ranges from pharmaceuticals to electronic laboratory information and scientific data management.

Dinner will be provided and seating is limited; this event is first come, first served.

Firefighter Games

Competition, Displays and Family Fun

STORY CONTRIBUTED

The Southport Fire Department will present the 38th Annual Firefighter’s Freedom Competition on Saturday, July 1, beginning at 3 pm at the Southport Fire Substation at 115 E. Nash St. This event has drawn firefighters from area fire departments to compete since 1984. What looks like fun games to the spectators is really an event to test the teamwork of a department, as it pays homage to the training and firefighting methods of our past.

Take for example the bucket brigade. It was the method of extinguishing fires until the invention of the hand-pumped fire engine.  A tremendous amount of teamwork and physical endurance — the key to an effective fire department — is needed to complete this duty.

stration, Mystery Event, Fire Extinguisher Demonstration, and Barrel Push, as well as this year’s newest activity, a pie-eating contest. Children will enjoy appearances by Sparky, Smokey and Marshal from Paw Patrol, and, of course, running around soaking themselves in the sprinklers. Fire engines,

The Southport Fire Department is also sponsoring the return of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation presentation of the 9/11 Never Forget Memorial Mobile Exhibit to the 4th of July Festival. The exhibit is a tribute to all those who lost their

ucating people across the country of the events of that tragic day.

The exhibit will arrive in a motorcade into Southport on June 30. The procession of vehicles with the 911 Memorial Exhibit is expected to turn onto N.C. 211 from U.S.

waterfront estate

1523 Shepard Road, Southport

Family and Service

Speaking with Representative Charlie Miller

STORY BY LISA STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Growing up in Southport in a family where community service was the norm laid a natural path for N.C. Representative Charlie Miller to follow a similar course. His path has led him a bit further, though — the small-town boy, a retired Chief Deputy Sheriff, is now in his second term in the N.C. General Assembly.

His career has taken Miller through 33 years in law enforcement — starting and ending at the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office — through several terms on the Brunswick County Board of Education to now representing his home district in Raleigh.

Though the jobs have changed, one thing remains constant for Rep. Miller, and that’s his desire to help and serve others, something he learned from his family.

Rep. Miller’s father also worked in law enforcement, starting with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office part-time in the mid1970s. Since he was a young child, Rep.

Miller said he knew it was what he wanted to do too. He also remembers when he was about 10 years old or so and his father helped start a rescue squad in Southport.

“I remember them having rescue squad meetings in our living room,” he said. “There were also meetings in Norman Leggett’s stockroom.”

The message was clear at a young age.

“You help your neighbor,” he said. “Growing up in Southport in those days….it’s different today than it was back then. We were such a small community. Everybody helped everybody. It didn’t matter what side of town you lived on, rich, poor, black, white,

it did not matter,” he said.

Rep. Miller recalled his first days on the job as a new deputy sheriff, saying back then, you didn’t have to go to rookie school before going to work in law enforcement. His education was on the job, riding with a deputy sheriff in the Leland area for six months.

“My first day, he (the sheriff) handed me a five-shot revolver, five bullets, and a badge out of his desk.”

In 2006, Rep. Miller was working for Prog-

ress Energy when he decided to run for the Brunswick County Board of Education. He said he’d always been interested in the school system, having a daughter and niece in the local schools, and he was always big on school safety.

“I am a product of Brunswick County Schools. I just wanted to be a part of it,” he said. He served three and a half terms on the Board, resigning when he was elected to the State House.

It was after the districts were redrawn that Rep. Miller said he was approached by a few people who encouraged him to run for District 19. He said he’d visited the General Assembly before, as a Chief Deputy, and he’d sat in the Gallery and watched the proceedings, and visited with Sen. Bill Rabon and Rep. Frank Iler. He said he got a call from a friend who also asked him

to consider running for office, and he recalls that he had already said no. But then his friend got N.C House Speaker Tim Moore on the phone, and they convinced him to file.

When he was elected, Rep. Miller was still working full time. He said he burned through a lot of vacation time, and was working Monday, going to Raleigh to work there Tuesday through Thursday, and then coming home to put in some time Friday and over the weekend.

“It wore me out. It was exhausting,” he said.

So what was it like going into the General Assembly as a new representative?

“I sat back and I just watched and listened and saw who the movers and shakers were and started trying to get funding for our district,” he said. That first session, the District received $82 million in funding for various projects.

Rep. Miller said he was also fortunate that Sen. Rabon immediately took him under his wing.

“His office is right down the hall from mine, and I’m usually in his office every morning drinking coffee before the day gets going,” Rep. Miller said. “He is just a phenomenal mentor to me.”

Now in his second term, and retired from his job with the Sheriff’s Office, Rep. Miller serves on eight standing committees, including serving as Vice Chairman of Appropriations and Judiciary 2, and as one of four Chairmen on the Appropriations, Justice and Public Safety Committee. Speaker Moore also appointed him to a justice commission and an ethics commission.

Government at the State level is really not much different than local government, Rep. Miller said. It’s just on a larger scale.

“It’s all about relationships and building partnerships with other legislators,” he said. “I tell people that the legislators in the mountains have issues that are just as important as mine on the coast. Where we may have a hurricane, they may have a rock

slide.”

Rep. Miller said that any day he can help someone, it’s a good day. He said that oftentimes, he and his staff are asked to help citizens navigate through a government agency. Whether it’s a veteran who needs help accessing benefits or if someone needs help getting an appointment with the Division of Motor Vehicles, Rep. Miller said they’re happy to help. He is quick to compliment his staff — Legislative Assistant Natalie Nichols and Research Assistant Madeline King — for their efforts in working with citizens.

“It’s just humbling,” he said of serving as his district’s Representative. “Every time I walk on that floor, I think wow, I am one of 120 people here from across the State. It’s not something that I take lightly,” he said. He’s proud to say he didn’t miss a vote last session.

Rep. Miller also said that while he is registered Republican, he is in Raleigh to represent everyone in his district. He said he may not agree with everyone in his district, but he will always listen.

“I tell people, I was elected to go to Raleigh and vote for my constituents and be their voice,” he said. “I take that seriously.”

Your Safety is our Top Priority

SPRING DRIVE SPECIAL

• Complimentary multi-point inspection

• Inspect fluid operating system for leaks

• Inspect brakes for wear and performance

• Inspect tires and suspension

• Perform any warranty related repairs

ALIGNMENT SPECIAL $109.95

Get the most life out of your tires with a 4-wheel alignment special. We adjust your tire pressure, inspect suspension, tire life and your rims. Road test and provide a computerized printout.

ENGINE OIL & FILTER CHANGE SPECIAL (basic) $59.95

• Replace engine oil with synthetic blend

• Replace oil filter and drain plug washer with Acura Genuine Parts

• Check/Adjust fluid levels

• Inspect wiper blades

• Inspect tires and set pressure. Upto5quarts,syntheticoilextra,taxesand environmentalfeesareextra.

BATTERY SPECIAL

• Inspect battery voltage and Amperage

• Inspect charging system

• Inspect alternator belt $20.00offanyAcuragenuine100monthbattery

• Cabin and Air Filter • Battery and Cables

POLLEN AND ENGINE AIR FILTER PACKAGE $99.95

• Replace engine air filter • Replace cabin filter

• Clean and service air box • Sanitize ventilation system Pricesmayvarybymodel.Syntheticoilisadditional.Nottobe combinedwithanyotherdiscounts.Plustaxwhereapplicable. Environmentaldisposalfees,ifany,areextra.Presentcouponat timeofwriteup.OfferExpiresDecember31,2022

Delayed Vet Honors

Brunswick County WWI Soldier Finally Receives Medal of Honor

STORY CONTRIBUTED BY CARON MYERS

Aswe celebrate the birth of our nation, it seems natural to pay homage to those who sacrificed and fought to create our country and to protect our freedoms. One such man was recently recognized for his efforts during WWI, thanks to efforts from his family and community groups.

The Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range and The Brunswick Town Chapter of National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently received word that Pvt. Robert Bollie Stanley was awarded his Purple Heart posthumously along with additional medals for his sacrifices in the Great War.

When the 365th Infantry embarked in Brest, France, on Feb. 17, 1919, ready to return to their loved ones in the United States, Private Robert B. Stanley was not among them. Instead, he was recovering from a battle in which he was wounded, taken prisoner by the enemy, and suffered the amputation of most of his right leg. He returned to the U.S. over a month later on March 24, 1919, but was not discharged until completing five months of additional recovery.

On Aug. 25, 1919, he returned home with a 95 percent disability classification.

The Great War

Robert Bollie Stanley was born and raised in Shallotte. He was called to duty for World War I on March 29, 1918.

He was one of a total of 25 black men from Brunswick County ordered to report that day. Their destination was Camp Grant in Rockford, Ill.

Very few black Americans served in combat units during WWI, instead serving mostly as laborers. Months after the U.S. entered WWI, the War Department created two divisions, the 92nd “Buffalo Soldiers Division,” in honor of Black troops who served in the American West after the Civil War, and the 93rd “Blue Helmets.” Both divisions were comprised of primarily black combat units. The soldiers of the 92nd and the 93rd infantry divisions were the first Americans to fight in France.

After arriving in Camp Grant, only three of the draftees from Brunswick County out of the original 25 were chosen for the honor of a combat position in the 92nd Division. Those three men were William Frederick Brooks, William James Gordon and Robert Bollie Stanley. These men began training with Company H, 365th Infantry, 92nd Division in preparation for combat in France. Ultimately, there were a total of seven black men from Brunswick County holding combat positions in the 92nd Division.

The 365th Infantry was scheduled to board the USS Agamemnon at Hoboken, N.J., on June

10, 1918, to travel overseas to France. The 365th Infantry reached Brest, France, on June 19, 1918. They immediately began an eight week period of intensive training in offensive and defensive tactics. In August, they took up positions in the St. Dié sector, where they made their first contact with the enemy.

A journal written by their captain, Raymond Earl Hill, brings the countryside and experiences alive. One entry in August describes Captain Hill’s first experience of shellfire, giving a glimpse into what Pfc. Gordon and Pvt. Stanley were experiencing. (Captain Hill’s diary is available online at www.whiningpast.com.)

“I had my first experience of shell fire. It is an experience that one cannot well describe. You hear the boom of the distant gun then the rushing whine and screeching of the shell as it passes, then you wait for the terrific explosion wondering how far beyond you it will strike. It sure causes a weakness in the knees and a funny feeling up your back. The man that says he was not scared at those first shells he heard is either a damn fool or a liar.”

On Oct. 9, the 92nd Division relieved the French 68th Division and assumed command of the Marbache Sector. Their mission was to hold the line of the First Army east of Moselle, harassing the enemy by frequent patrols. Until Oct. 31, the division was engaged in patrolling on the front.

On Oct. 29, 1918, Pvt. Robert Bollie Stanley was reported missing. He had been captured by the enemy and was not released until Nov. 27, 1918.

A life resumed with more sacrifices

After the war, Robert married Ethel Harrison. She passed away at a young age, leaving several young children motherless. Robert Stanley ultimately raised five children on his own, including his grandson, Fred “Stan” Stanley, who he adopted and raised like a son.

Two of Pvt. Stanley’s sons served in WWII, one with the U.S. Army and the other in the Navy. Pvt. Stanley’s last direct descendant, his youngest child, passed away in 2018. Stan, his grandson, served in the Navy for 20 years, followed by 21 years in the U.S. Merchant Marines, retiring in 2010. He still lives in North Carolina, and filled in more details of his grandfather’s story.

“Dad, which I called him, was a farmer, and I started at 9th grade and had quite an agricultural program until I graduated. That was our joy, planting, growing [raising] pigs, and all the support crops.

“We liked going to Shallotte Point to meet the fishing boats to get fresh seafood,” he said.

In 1961, two weeks after Stan graduated from high school, Robert Stanley suffered a stroke. The 17-year- old Stan delayed his entrance into the Navy to care for the man who had already sacrificed so much. “I was by his bedside to watch him take his last breaths as God took him,” Stan said.

That year, in September, Robert Stanley passed away.

“He never complained even when he was in excruciating pain, and never talked about the War.” Stan recalled.

Robert Bollie Stanley was laid to rest on Sept. 22, 1961, in the same cemetery as his parents. He did not have a military headstone, and no WWI honors were displayed, giving no indication he

made such considerable sacrifices for his country.

On May 7, 2019, the Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range, along with members of the Brunswick Town Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, paid tribute to Pvt. Robert Bollie Stanley, WWI Brunswick County veteran and only known POW.

A flat military style marker was installed and dedicated. It was purchased with funds donated by Allen Dunstan, an out-oftown visitor who was deeply touched by Pvt. Stanley’s sacrifice. Five of Pvt. Stanley’s descendants, along with two cousins and a friend, attended the ceremony and received the thanks and recognition for his sacrifice.

It was at this ceremony that Robert Stanley’s family mentioned their interest in obtaining a Purple Heart for his service. Pvt. Stanley would have received a Wound Chevron for his combat injuries. The Purple Heart, created by George Washington in 1782, was not officially re-established until 1932. Anyone who was killed or wounded in war since April 5, 1917, became eligible for the new medal.

The Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range took up the challenge. Finally, on May 17, 2023, they received word that the long-overdue medals and ribbons were on their way.

They experienced a heart stopping moment when they received notification from USPS tracking that the package had been delivered, but they had not received it. “The thought of Pvt. Stanley’s medals and ribbons being lost in transport was too much to bear,” said Norma Lee Eckard, President of Friends of the Caswell Rifle Range.

But, she said, what a joyous moment it was when the box arrived the following day. “We did it!”

The letter detailing the contents included, “We have verified Mr. Stanley’s entitlement to the following awards:

- Purple Heart (permanent order and certificate enclosed)

- Prisoner of War Medal

- World War I Victory Medal with St Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Battle clasps and France Service clasp

- World War I Victory Button - Silver”

On June 17, 2023, the ceremony to deliver the medals and awards to Robert Stanley’s family was held at the cemetery where he was laid to rest.

“God has blessed me and allowed me to see and do so much, and even more so, allowed me to witness such an amazing recognition of my grandfather’s sacrifice.”

–Fred “Stan” Stanley; May 7, 2019

Archaeology Day At The Tavern

Unearthing History At The East Carolina University Field School

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

Imagineit’s 1766 and you’re a sailor newly arrived at the port of Brunswick Town on the Cape Fear River. You walk up the hill from the docks and into town, passing homes made from ships’ ballast stones. You’re hungry and ready for a good night’s sleep on some solid ground, so you head for the tavern. Stepping through the front door into the rectangular brick building, you’re greeted by the smells of food cooking on the fire on the back wall and the tobacco smoke from patrons’ pipes. You pass a man smoking from a white clay pipe with an ornately carved crest bordered by a unicorn and a bear. Fancy. Most of the patrons are eating from pewter dishes, but you notice one table has a white ceramic plate with brilliant blue and red patterns, obviously imported from the Far East, and they are drinking from a bottle with the mark of one W. Dry, the man who has moved into the former governor’s home after the colonial capital was moved to New Bern. You sit at the bar and notice the cufflink on the man sitting on your left having a heated discussion with a couple other men. The cufflink says “Wilkes & Liberty 45.” You know of John Wilkes, a British radical who supports the colonies in their complaints about the crown. So the rumors are true. There’s something bubbling up here in Brunswick Town. But you also see a woman in the corner with some sewing out, silver thimble on her finger. Maybe she’s here with one of the men in the political discussion but she has more immediate concerns, like keeping her family’s clothes in decent shape. You pay for your drink and food and a spot on the floor upstairs to sleep and lay down to rest until the tide turns and you head back down the river wondering what will become of this bustling little town on the edge of the New World.

publisher and politician with deep sympathies for the Colonial cause and would have been a way to signal to others that one was part of what would grow into the revolutionary movement.

This is all historic fiction, of course, but it’s based on objects uncovered in what is believed to be Brunswick Town’s tavern during two East Carolina University Archaeology Field Schools, the latest of which I visited a few weeks ago. While visiting the site, I spoke with the field school’s leader, Professor Charles Ewen, PhD about how these artifacts can bring history to life.

He told me about the cufflink bearing the “Wilkes and Liberty 45” message, which was found during the previous field school in 2019. It referenced a pamphlet from a

Finding this cufflink makes it seem very likely there was a person with revolutionary ideas in the Brunswick Town tavern. “So you’ve got this guy sitting in there talking smack about the king wearing these cuff links,” Ewen said. “It’s one thing to hear ‘Oh, they were against the Stamp Act’, but this is something else.” Something that personalizes history for us.

All that’s left of the building is a rectangular brick foundation, and it’s several feet below the present ground level, so it is only uncovered during the field school. But the artifacts being uncovered really do bring the place to life. While I was speaking to Prof. Ewen, one of his students brought over a button cover they’d just discovered. It was metal piece that would have covered a button to both protect the wood or bone button and add a little fancy detail to the outfit. Prof. Ewen had another in his Tupperware with the button still inside, and he showed it me so I could see how it worked.

Another piece uncovered while I was there was a piece of ceramic

serving ware that looked as if it were just made. It has brilliant blue and red designs, and is really pretty, in fact. I was chatting with one of the volunteers, Lyle Bass, who was helping out when we saw it and it rang a bell with her.

Bass is a volunteer with a Wilming ton-based group called the Public Archaeol ogy Corps that is researching a property at the base of Market Street that was likely a tavern, roughly contemporary with this one in Brunswick Town. They had found a piece of ceramic there that marched the pattern on this one, and she said it was an import

ed from either China or Japan. “Did this come off the same ship?” she wondered.

Bass said she was enjoying her time at the Brunswick Town dig and appreciated seeing Prof. Ewen again, as she’d taken his class at ECU about ten years ago.

Another volunteer, Heather Crisco, is the Anthropology and Sociology professor at Brunswick Community College and said she was excited to see Prof. Ewen, who’d taught her at ECU 20 years ago. “I wondered if he’d remember me after all this time,” she said. He did.

Prof. Ewen said he was very happy with the undergraduate and graduate students at this year’s school. He said some had never done any field work before, and “you just don’t know how they’ll do.” But he said everyone was working hard and having fun and he was very obviously proud of them

all. Prof. Ewen may be seeing one of the volunteers I met that day in his class in a few years. Noah Edwards is a 13-year-old South Brunswick Middle School student who said he plans to pursue archaeology in college at either ECU or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He said he and his older brother got an opportu-

nity to dig around in a old church property a few years ago and he “caught the bug.”

Noah was there with his parents, and his father Jerry was all smiles as he sifted sand from the tavern ruins though a screen looking for bits of artifact. “I love this!” Jerry said.

Now that the field school is wrapped up and the site is re-buried, it’s time for next steps.

“The artifacts will all go to my lab at ECU where they will be cleaned and cataloged,” Prof. Ewen said. Then my graduate stu-

dent, Addison Siemon, will analyze them and they will be interpreted in his Masters thesis.  After this they will boxed up and curated at the Office of State Archaeology repository in Raleigh.”

Will we here in Brunswick County get to see any of these artifacts displayed at Brunswick Town in the future? “The site will have access to the artifacts and may choose to display some of them. However, they do not have the facilities to curate all of them at the present time,” Prof. Ewen said.

Prof. Ewen said he was very pleased with the entire field school experience and the support and interest received form the community. “I would like to give a shout out to the Colonial Dames of America,” he said. “Their generous support is allow-

ing us to defray the cost of housing for the students. Without it, several would not have been able to attend the field school.”

He said staying at the BSL Motel was great and that Boiling Spring Lakes was a great host, but all good things must come to an end.

“Tomorrow, we cover the foundation with plastic sheeting and put the dirt back in the hole,” he said. “A bittersweet ending to a good field season!”

Inventing Beach Bowl

Oak Island Family Creates Summer Fun

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Don’t be surprised this summer if while you’re relaxing with your crew at the beach, a woman comes over and challenges you to play a form of beach Skeeball. Say yes. It’s tremendous fun, and you’ll be helping a neighbor. It’s all part of marketing a new game, Beach Bowl, invented by an Oak Island resident and her family.

Lynn Hefele saw an opportunity, had an idea, and ran with it. “As a beachgoer, I’ve always been an active participant rather than a beach sitter. In my younger days, this meant body surfing and beach volleyball. But as I’ve gotten older, my beach game has evolved. These days, I’m more likely to take a walk on the beach or play a game of Bocce Ball with my family,” she said. “That is, until one day, my daughter-in-law, Amanda, and I spotted some beachgoers playing a game we’d never seen before. They were rolling a ball into a hole on the beach, and we were immediately intrigued.”

They were intrigued enough to start playing around with ideas of their own, but soon ran into a couple problems. “We tried to emulate the game on our own, but quickly became disheartened by our inability to create two identical holes in a straight line,” she said. “Then one day, as we were playing around with our ideas on the beach, the tide started coming in. This presented a new challenge.”

The solutions were a template showing where holes for various forms of a game could be placed, and playing up the beach, with the ocean at your back, like Skeeball.

But how to make sure the holes were uniform? After playing around with different shovel solutions, they finally they came up with a winning idea — the Skupper, a hand-held plastic device that works kind of like the one used to create holes on a golf green.

“The Skupper was a game-changer,” Lynn said. “It allowed us to dig perfect sand cups every time, making it possible to play Beach Bowl with ease.”

Beach Bowl is a family affair. Lynn’s son played a major role in moving the idea from concept through production to marketing, and that’s been one of the best parts of the experience for Lynn. “He lives in Buffalo, NY.  Since starting this adventure, I have talked with him easily five out of seven days a week. I am so proud of how he has managed the business and of how he helps me navigate the business world. That is priceless!” she said.

I met Lynn on the beach one morning to see this invention for myself. The entire set, which includes the Skupper, a template with stakes to keep it in place, a set of hard rubber balls and a little ball for playing bocce, comes in a blue bag about the size of a school backpack. All the components are

well-made and colorful, but what impressed me most was how much you can do with just what comes in one set.

The game takes full advantage of the beach. Not only can you easily create the holes, but if you want a little ramp in front of them for that Skeeball effect, you just make one. Want bumpers on the sides or back? Just pile up some sand. While the

game includes rules for five games, the limit is really only your imagination.

But be sure to clean up after yourself when you’re done. “Filling in the holes is the biggest concern people have on social media and rightfully so,” Lynn said. “While our holes are fairly shallow, we don’t want anyone to sprain an ankle and we certainly don’t want baby sea turtles to get stuck in a hole. We encourage everyone to fill in their holes and have created a public service announcement that we will post throughout the summer,” she said.

After tossing some balls ourselves, we went looking for some folks to try the game out, one of the best marketing tools in Lynn’s toolbox. We found a family with some children who picked the game up immediately.

“Walking the beach is the best part of the experience so far,” Lynn said. “People are so kind and truly happy to play! I have played with little ones rolling from one foot away, groups of teenagers, and college students, as well as groups that have three generations present! All levels of players are experiencing the same success. While all ages can play, children should be under parental supervision.”

If you’d like to try Beach Bowl out for yourself, head down to Beach Day on July 1 in front of the Cabana on 46th Street. “Oak Island Recreation has been kind enough to allow us to set up a station on Oak Island Beach Day,” Lynn said. “We will be set up next to the other events on the beach. We plan to have at least five games set up. Four of the games will represent the games that are presented with the game: Beach Bowl, Sand Skee-ball, Sinkhole and possibly Beach Cornhole. The other will be a game we have invented this summer called Deep Six. Beach goers will be able to try out all of the games.”

Beach Bowl is available for sale online at beachbowl.co and locally at Strands Outfitters on Oak Island and Southport Market in Southport. Want to try before you buy? Beach Bowl is available to rent on Oak Island from Black Sails Adventure Company.

“I hope by the end of this summer, our

commercial businesses have had a positive experience with us and our product. I hope people know the name Beach Bowl and have seen and/or played with the game on the beach,” Lynn said. “Most importantly, I hope we have created lasting memories for families and friends. We are already talking about our next products but we haven’t nailed anything down yet. We know that we want to put out quality products and find ways to make them affordable to a larger population.”

Southport Suzie’s

Frozen Yogurt and Wine? Yes, Please!

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PATTY LANGER

What’s

better on a hot summer day than a bowl of frozen yogurt and a glass of wine?! You read me right - I said frozen yogurt and wine! That’s what they’re serving at Southport’s coolest new venue, Southport Suzie’s, located on Long Beach Road in the plaza with Big Lots and Label Shopper. I must admit, I thought the combination seemed a bit perplexing at first, but after meeting with the shop’s delightful owners, Suzanne and Fred Street, I realized it makes total sense!

Okay, let’s start with the obvious question. What made you decide to combine a frozen yogurt shop with a wine shop?

Fred: Simple – they’re two of our favorite things!

Suzanne: Moms understand! There’s no explanation needed for them. We’ve created a place where they can hang out with their friends, enjoying a glass of pinot grigio, while the kids are entertained eating frozen yogurt sundaes and playing games. We have Connect Four games on every table, as well as coloring and other activities to keep the kids busy.

That’s brilliant! I wish my kids were younger. How did you come up with the idea; were you in the food business previously?

Fred: No. I owned a construction company and Suzanne worked for the government. We moved here 12 years ago when she retired. We wanted to get away from the traffic.

Suzanne: We were looking for a coastal town to retire to, and I saw an article about Southport in Southern Living Magazine. We decided to check it out on the way home from a business trip and that was that. Fred had been thinking about a frozen yogurt shop, but when we got here, someone else had already opened one and we didn’t think the area could support a second. That shop closed a few years ago and the timing was right for us now.

Fred: We needed something fun to do in retirement, besides golf. There are a lot of ice cream shops in the area, but frozen yogurt is a healthy alternative. We wanted to create a place that was fun for the whole

family, so we added the wine. Family is obviously important to both of you. Tell us about yours. For starters, I’d love to know how you two met.

Fred: We were both single parents working in Raleigh during the early 1990s. We met when our kids played t-ball together.

Suzanne: We were married two months later! It will be 31 years in July. We now have young grandchildren who live in Florida and we hope to see them here soon. For now, we’re enjoying everyone else’s grands in the shop!

Fred: It’s great to see how excited the kids get when they realize they can make their own sundaes.

Is it all self-service?

Fred: The yogurt, yes, not the wine! We have five yogurt machines, each with two flavors. The middle handle swirls the flavors together. We rotate our flavors once a week, and we always have two sorbets that are non-dairy, and a sugar free option.

People fill their own bowls with yogurt,

then head to the topping counters where they can pick from traditional toppings like sprinkles, candy and whipped cream, or chose healthier options like fresh fruit and nuts. Then they place their bowl on the scale and we charge by weight (the bowl is excluded).

What are your most popular frozen yogurt flavors and toppings?

Suzanne: Vanilla! Fresh strawberries and whipped cream are probably the most popular toppings. Boba balls are very popular right now; we rotate flavors like strawberry, kiwi and mango. Gummies and anything chocolate are always a

big hit too.

Fred: Cookie Monster is another popular yogurt flavor with the kids. We have some neat flavor combinations that are really popular too. You can mix orange sorbet with vanilla yogurt to get a creamsicle, or lime sorbet with California Tart yogurt to get key lime pie. Sounds yummy! Do you tend to have more of a fro-yo crowd or a wine tasting crowd?

Suzanne: Right now, more people are coming in for the frozen yogurt. We opened with that in April and the wine came a few weeks later. Our location leads a lot of kids to us. There is a karate school, a dance studio, and a music school in this plaza, so kids come in after their lessons. We also seem to be a place that works well for home school groups and clubs to meet, or sports teams to go after a game. We are available to book for private parties too. We recently hosted a music recital! (Writer’s note: While

I was interviewing the Streets, a large group of young girls came in the shop with their moms for a book club meeting.)

Fred: We think the live music will start to draw people in for the wine. It’s also a great place to stop by after golf or tennis or pickle ball. We have craft beer, ciders and spritzers if you are not a wine drinker. We have charcuterie boards and other light snacks and desserts to go with the drinks.

Suzanne: We have live music on Saturday evenings and Blue Tulip will be here on Fri-

day, July 7. The adults really seem to enjoy the music and the kids love to dance. Our shop is big, so if the music gets too loud for some people, they can move toward the back or head outside to our covered patio space. It used to be a bank drive-through!

Ever think of doing a wine and fro-yo pairing? (Don’t laugh! I once attended a pairing of wine and Easter candy – it was awesome!)

Suzanne: Actually, yes! We have wine tastings every Wednesday night, and we will recommend certain yogurt flavors that complement the wines, or sorbet flavors with prosecco (they are great mixed together!) We also do wine and dessert pairings. That sounds amazing! You certainly have a lot going on here! Any other plans in the pipeline?

Suzanne: We are going to start offering frozen yogurt cakes soon. We also have pre-packed frozen yogurt pints in our freezers that people can purchase to take home.

Southport Suzie’s is a big, bright, cheerful shop. It’s a great place to head when you need a break from the heat and humidity, or on a rainy day when the kids are restless. The frozen yogurt is awesome and kids

have a blast piling on their own toppings. Wine is available by the glass or bottle, with tastings every Wednesday evening, and the craft beer selection is impressive. Charcuterie boards and other light snacks are available to purchase, along with coffee and desserts from Side Street Bakery. The shop is located 4956 Old Long Beach Road (the Big Lots Plaza) and open daily from 1-8 pm. To see a list of current fro-yo flavors, or a schedule of live events, check out Southport Suzie’s on Facebook or call 910-363-4188.

Broussard Sally Stidham

Earman Karen Saunders

Bouchard

LeFevre

LeFevre

McKee

Smith

Hufham

W E ' V E M O V E D T O F A L L !

Rest assured, the concerts will be just as amazing as ever! The new schedule will run from August 31 to November 16, and the venue will remain at Franklin Square Park.

Travel is Essential

V i s i t o r s s p e n d m o r e t h a n $ 7 9 m i l l i o n p e r d a y i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a . T h a t s p e n d i n g a d d s $ 6 . 4 m i l l i o n p e r d a y t o s t a t e a n d l o c a l t a x r e v e n u e s ( a b o u t $ 3 . 3 m i l l i o n i n s t a t e t a x e s a n d $ 3 . 1 m i l l i o n i n l o c a l t a x e s ) . N o r t h C a r o l i n a h o s t e d n e a r l y 4 5 m i l l i o n v i s i t o r s i n 2 0 2 1 . T h e r e w a s a n e s t i m a t e d 9 7 5 . 1 m i l l i o n s p e n t i n B r u n s w i c k C o u n t y a l o n e i n 2 0 2 1 . T o l e a r n m o r e , p l e a s e v i s i t w w w . t o u r i s m c o u n t s . m e o r s c a n t h e Q R c o d e .

Drug Education Art Student Artwork Will Help Fight Abuse

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Six Brunswick County students are being recognized for their artwork aimed at combating drug and alcohol abuse by educating with art. The youth were selected through a joint effort by the Brunswick Arts Council and Carolina CARES in a recent contest.

Working together as part of an effort to shatter the allure of drug and alcohol abuse and offering a forum where young people communicate directly to one another about this serious topic, a poster/ billboard contest was coordinated by Lisa Smith of Carolina CARES and sponsored by Brunswick Arts Council (BAC); Movement Against Drug Epidemic (MADE); Carolina Awareness Recovery Education (Carolina CARES); Brunswick County School District and the Brunswick County Sheriff Office.

This annual contest was open to all youth from ages 8 to 18 years old from Brunswick County. Entrants designed and created posters that communicate a message of sobriety, and the dangers of substance abuse. They could select from the following topics: Awareness, Recovery, and Education; and selected from four different design slogans : RX + OD = DEATH ; LIVE + LEARN; WAITING KILLS and LIFE + HEALTH = RECOVERY.

Six final winning designs have been chosen by a panel of representatives from Brunswick County, including CARE, DEWAA, Brunswick Arts Council, BACK OFF, Teachers/Artists, Brunswick Youth Court, Brunswick County Health and Coastal Horizons. The judges’ criteria included

how well/clearly the theme was presented; how well did the visual convey message; and what was the overall impact of design. The images chosen will serve as the images used for community campaigns, including billboards, social media, and other marketing options during 2023 drug awareness campaigns in September and October.

Youth were asked to develop their own solutions to the challenges they face.

“Three in five people have mental health issues in our society, and one-third do not seek treatment – over 4,100 people alone in North Carolina lost their life last year seeking solace through substance use and ‘self-medicating’ with alcohol and drugs both recreational and prescription” said Lisa Smith, community advocate, an angel mom, coordinator of Carolina CARES and member of BACK OFF.

“According to American for the Arts – 72 percent of Americans believe arts unify us regardless of age, race or ethnicity – and through the use of arts we can change the conversation” said Mary Beth Livers, Executive Director of Brunswick Arts Council.

This year’s winners are: Becca Barnett, Katie Blackwell, Rayna Chew (2 draw-

ings), Olivia Jackson and Jay Lancaster. Winning students and their art teacher(s) received $250 in gift cards for each final winning design selected ($125 to student and $125 to teacher for art supplies).

Future Contests

Livers said that all the agencies and groups are working together, and anticipate expanding their partners for future programs and concepts.

“It is our anticipation that this ongoing arts activity evolves to help our community find the ways to use the professional medical and social services (private & public), the mentors and various programs to assist in the awareness, recovery and education of the substance abuse and mental health epidemic that touches so many of our lives and families here in Brunswick County,” Livers said.

Additional Questions.

For questions or more information, contact Mary Beth Livers at Brunswick Arts

Council at 910-448-2713 or email Execdir. brunswickartscouncil@gmail.com.

About the Brunswick Arts Council

The mission of Brunswick Arts Council (BAC) is to support, sustain, enhance, and cultivate the arts in Brunswick County making cultural events, arts education, and appreciation of the arts available to the diverse range of county residents. Formed in 1981, BAC is the designated community partner with NC Arts Council, helping to subgrant more than $1,300,000 in grants (Grassroots & NC Cares) into Brunswick arts organization, and programs across the county. Additionally, we partner with other

agencies, including Brunswick County to provide other programs, events, awards, grants, project development and additional support to organizations and artists living and working in the county. BAC support acts as an economic catalyst, aiding the nonprofit creative sector as they generate direct economic activity in arts, recreation & tourism support to our Brunswick County. www.brunswickartscouncil.org

New Dental Training

BCC Welcomes Dental Assisstant Program

STORY CONTRIBUTED

The first Dental Assisting students at Brunswick Community College (BCC) begin classes on Aug. 9, training to fulfill an increased need for quality dental care in the region. The new program, affiliated with East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and other local dental offices, is the only one in the area to offer certification in Dental Assisting I.

“We could not be more excited to offer this program for our students and community,” said Joy Roberts, BCC Director of Dental Assisting. “Brunswick County is growing exponentially, increasing the need for dental professionals. Our program prepares students for Dental Assistant I certification in as little as 24 weeks. We’re fortunate to have fantastic instructors and look forward to getting started.”

Designed to teach students the necessary skills to become a Dental Assis-

tant I in North Carolina, the coursework includes instruction in general studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical practice. A combination of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences provides students with knowledge in infection/hazard control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry, and clinical procedures.

Upon graduation, students will be eligible to sit for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam. Students will

complete their practical training at the ECU Community Service Learning Center in Bolivia.

For more information on the program and how to apply, visit the BCC website at brunswickcc.edu/dental-assisting or contact OneStop Student Services in the Administration Building on BCC’s main campus. You can reach them at onestop@brunswickcc. edu or (910) 755-7320.

About Brunswick Community College

Brunswick Community College (BCC) is a public community college in Bolivia, North

Carolina. BCC offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Engineering for students who aim to transfer to a senior institution to complete a baccalaureate or higher degree. BCC also offers a wide range of Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, and High School Pathways (Career & College Promise), to prepare students for entry-level jobs in paraprofessional and healthcare fields. For more information about Brunswick Community College and our programs, visit our website, www.brunswickcc.edu.

Artists Celebrated

Downtown Banners Feature Local Artists

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Whileyou’re strolling Southport’s downtown business district, look up, and you’ll see a new addition celebrating the vibrant arts we are so lucky to enjoy. The work of 14 local artists was put on display recently on vinyl banners hanging from utility poles in Southport’s central business district. The “Raise Up Your Arts” project recognizes the winners of a juried competition conducted earlier this year which received submissions from more than 60 Brunswick County artists.

Up Your Arts, the City of Southport, and Downtown Southport, Inc. (DSI), jointly sponsored the undertaking to highlight the city as an arts destination, elevate the visibility of local artists, and enhance the visual appeal of downtown streets. The banners will remain in place all summer and fall. Sponsors expect to repeat the competition with a new round of banners next spring.

Featured artists this year are Harry Burrell, Susan Chandler, Katie Dorsett-Dye, Sidney Godwin, Christie Jacks, Anne McElroy, Pam Manders, Gary J. Mlynek, Rich O’Donnell, Linda Platt, Gay Rosenberg, Barbara Sammons, Gail Simon, and Kate Magill Walters.

ART BEAT

Feeding The Hungry

Empty Bowls Program Combines Art & Charity

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARLA EDSTROM

In 1990, an art teacher in Michigan unwittingly started what is now a global grassroots movement to end hunger. For the past 33 years, schools, art associations, private artists, and civic organizations have held Empty Bowls events worldwide to raise money for their local food banks. Many pottery studios in southeastern North Carolina have participated in such events, along with local restaurants donating the soup. The events have been very popular here in Southport, sponsored by the Associate Artists of Southport on a rotating schedule for years, with the money going to local charities around Brunswick County. Past President and Potter Penny Omerod said the event in 2017 raised $16,200 and was divided up between Brunswick Family Assistance, Matthews Ministry, Food Bank, and the Southport-Oak Island Interfaith Food Pantry.

The Associated Artists of Southport includes painters and potters who don’t usually get to create together. But for this event, they get together to make and decorate the bowls, creating some wonderful and unique pieces. Carrying out such a feat of making hundreds of bowls takes months to get ready, which is why Empty Bowls is often not a yearly event. “Our volunteer

clay artists may produce from a dozen to many more bowls, each from 1 pound to 1.5 pounds of clay. The raw clay and glazes have been donated. Associated Artists of Southport also welcomes bowls donated for the Empty Bowls Events from area studios,  individual clay artists, and other clay groups and class studios,” said Omerod.

“These finished bowls are all marked with the name ‘Empty Bowls’ instead of the artists’ name or date, and these functional bowls are reminders to all of us of the fight against hunger. Clay artists and painting artists participate in finishing the bowls by glazing, decorating, and prepping them for sale. Raw dried clay or greenware is fired to bisque ware and then is decorated and glazed, fired again, and finished for sale,” she said.

This year, the Empty Bowls is being held a bit differently. With the world coming off of the pandemic and local restaurant staffing shortages, the bowls are still being sold and money donated, just without the soup. “Due to COVID precautions, AAS is offering just the hand crafted bowls, not the soup lunch. The plan is to return to the luncheon format in 2024 with donated soups from our outstanding area restaurants.” said Omerod. “The wonderful bowls are on display ay Franklin Square Gallery, Southport. They cost $20 each

and can be purchased Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, cash, credit, or check. The Empty Bowl fund drive to feed the hungry in our area will run until October 16, 2023, when the World Food Day USA is celebrated.”

AAS has been an active part of the arts community in Brunswick County for more than 40 years, bringing artists together to create and also giving back to the community through events. “Associated Artists of Southport operates the Franklin Square Gallery in Southport. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer group of paint (2D) artists and clay (3D) artists founded in 1979,” explained Omerod. “AAS sponsors many Open Public events throughout the year. Among them are; Kids Day in the Park, two juried art shows, workshops in various media, weekly classes, an art lecture series, quilt shows, Brunswick Arts Council show, High Schools Art Show, clay artists chal-

lenges, Wood Boat Show activities, and a 4th of July Art Raffle. We also participate in First Friday Southport Arts each month, with an open house from 5-7 pm.”

All proceeds from the bowl sales are divided between Brunswick Family Assistance, Mathews Ministry Food Bank, and the Southport-Oak Island Interfaith Food Pantry.

919 N. Howe St., Southport

owner, Cheryl Robinson create a custom floral arrangement for you!

Dosher Food Drive Annual Event Provides Food To Needy

DosherMemorial Hospital, in partnership with the Brunswick Wellness Coalition (BWC), will host a drive through food donation event to benefit identified high need areas within Brunswick County. Donors may drive up to the hospital front entrance on Thursday, July 13, between 9 am and 1 pm to drop off healthy, non-perishable food items to members of hospital and BWC staff, who will coordinate distribution to local food pantries through South Brunswick PORCH and other non-profit organizations that promote access in nutritious foods. Dosher Hospital is at 924 N. Howe St. in Southport.

Items of particular need are:

•1 lb. boxes of whole grain pasta

•Canned fruits no sugar/packed in water

•Fruit & vegetable juices, no added sugar

•Low sugar granola bars and fruit snacks

•Low sodium canned beans or soups

•Canned tuna and chicken packed in water/low sodium

•Natural applesauce

•Oatmeal

•Rice (Brown or whole grain)

•Gatorade (low/no sugar)

•Pudding (Sugar Free)

•Bottled water

•Cereals (whole grain/low sugar)

•BOOST drinks

•Jelly (low/no sugar)

•Nut butters/no added sugar & low salt (no glass jars, please)

•Healthy snacks for children (low sodium chips, veggie chips, fruit cups)

“There is a high need for food pantry supplies during the summer due to pantries compensating for meals children receive at school,” said BWC Executive Director, Dr. Leigh Lane. “Not only will the donation drive at Dosher fill a need in food insecure communities, but it will also promote access to healthy foods, including the daily recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables.”

About Dosher:

Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport operates a network of medical and surgical services in our local area. In addition to hospital and surgical services, Dosher runs six primary care clinics, a walk-in clinic, a general surgery practice, and a women’s health clinic.  For more detailed information on our service lines, visit our website at Dosher.org.

CALENDAR

July

We’ve included events here that are listed as scheduled, but please remember that all events, dates and times are subject to change.

JUNE 26-JULY 23

Summer Art Show — Associated Artists of Southport

Artists may apply to show their work until June 12; judges will select works to be shown June 26 through July 23 at the Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E. West St.

JUNE 29

Rock With Us on the Southport Waterfront

Enjoy a free concert by the Back Porch Rockers performing on the Garrison House Lawn from 6-8 pm during this benefit for the Friends of the NC Maritime Museum at Southport. Enter a raffle for the coveted Trunks of Grog or other valuable treasures!

JUNE 30 - JULY 4

The NC 4th of July Festival

The Festival is in full swing — see the schedule elsewhere in this issue.

JULY 1

It’s Our Town clean up — Southport

Join your neighbors in this monthly effort to spruce up the city from 9 am - noon. All you need to bring is your energy, good intentions; tools will be provided. Meet up at the old jail annex at the corner of Rhett and Nash streets at 9 am for a morning of fresh air, weeding, pruning, planting and other gardening work.

JULY 10

Beach Sweep - Oak Island

Let’s show the beach some love and help clean up the trash that gets left behind. The sweep will be 8-10 am at an Oak Island location to be determined. Check the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society’s Facebook page closer to the event for details. And don’t be shy visitors — we’d love your help too!

JULY 13

Drive-through food donation — Dosher Hospital

Dosher Memorial Hospital and the Brunswick Wellness Coalition have

teamed up for a drive-through drop off of healthy non-perishable foods. No glass containers, and keep low-sugar and low-sodium foods in mind. Drop food off at the hospital’s main entrance, 924 N. Howe St. in Southport, from 9 am to 1 pm.

JULY 26

Beach Sweep - Oak Island

Let’s show the beach some love and help clean up the trash that gets left behind. The sweep will be 8-10 am at an Oak Island location to be determined. Check the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society’s Facebook page closer to the event for details. And don’t be shy visitors — we’d love your help too!

AUG 5

Food Truck Rodeo — Southport

Food trucks will line up in front of the N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport, 204 E. Moore St., from 11 am until 3 pm.

Ongoing Events

Summer Market — Southport

Wednesdays through the season, Southport’s open air market boasts local produce, baked goods, flowers and herbs, and arts and crafts, all under majestic live oak trees. The market runs 9 am to 2 pm in Franklin Square Park (Howe and E. West Streets).

Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island

The Libraries are open Monday through Friday, 9 am - 6 pm. The Barbee branch is also open 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. The Once More used bookstore, at Southport Realty (727 N. Howe St.), with new-to-you books, is open Monday through Friday from 1-3 pm and Saturdays 10 am to noon. Visit https://folsoi. org/blog/ for information on summer youth programs.

Barbee Library, 8200 E. Oak Island Drive: Call 910-278-4283 for details on children’s story time and other programs. Friday Flix on July 7 features a screening of “The Princess and the Frog,” so take a blanket and the family to enjoy some time out of the sun. The July 21 movie is “The peanuts Movie.” Movies are at 2 pm.

Harper Library, 109 W. Moore St,

Southport: The Lifelong Learners program meets at Harper Library on Wednesdays, 10 am. Children can practice their reading skills by reading to a therapy dog on Mondays at 1 pm; registration required. Friday Flix on July 14 features a screening of “Ratatouille” at 2 pm, so take a blanket and the family to enjoy some time out of the sun. Call 910-457-6237 to register for programs.

NC Maritime MuseumsSouthport, 204 E. Moore St.

Hours are 10 am to 5 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. Enjoy a “Deep Dive” and learn from staff with the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology, Underwater Branch (on July 15, 10 am to 3 pm). The Third Tuesday program, July 18, is “Bringing Gold Back To The Carolina Coast: Tidewater Grain and the Revival of Carolina Gold Rice,” 7-8 pm at the Southport Community Building; registration is required. Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum.com to register for special programs.

. First Friday Gallery Walk — Southport

Stroll among the Southport galleries, stop in and say hello and browse among local artists’ works. The walk is 5-7 pm on the first Friday of the month.

Bingo

at the Elks Lodge

Bingo games on the second and fourth Tuesdays at the Lodge, 106 E Dolphin Drive, Oak Island. Games are open to the public; no one under 16 and no outside food or drinks allowed. Doors open to the public at 5:45 pm with games starting at 6:30pm. Snacks and drinks available for purchase (cash or checks only). Progressive Jackpot and winner take all coverall.

FRANKLIN SQUARE ART GALLERY

The Gallery will host a Summer Regional Art Show, a juried exhibition, through July 23; the Gallery is open 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and can be found at 130 E. West St., next to Franklin Square Park.

..Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site

8884 St. Philip’s Rd. SE, Winnabow

There is plenty to do and see outside, with 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.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Summer Concert Series - Oak Island

Middleton Park fields, SE 46th Street and Dolphin Drive

Bring chairs or a blanket, shows start at 6:30 pm

June 23 — The Entertainers

July 1 — Carl Newton’s Review

July 7 - Chocolate Chip & Co.

July 14 — Rivermist

July 21 — Too Much Sylvia

July 28 — The Sand Band

Aug 4 — The Powell Brothers

Summer Concert — Boiling Spring Lakes

Spring Lakes Park, Pine Road

Bring a chair or blanket and your dancing shoes!

July 21 — The Chance Union Band

THE PUB OF SOUTHPORT

1513 N. Howe St., Suite 10

June 30 — Casey Cotton

July 21 — Double Cherry Pie

River Hotel of Southport

706 E. Moore St.

6-8 pm with food trucks on site

June 29 --Double Cherry Pie

July 4--MC, Events & Entertainment-Special Time-7-10 pm

July 6--Double Cherry Pie

July 13--Rev & The Flying Flamingos

July 20--Double Cherry Pie

July 27--Good Times Duo

WINE, BEER & COFFEE

American Fish Co

150 Yacht Basin Drive, Southport

Gorgeous views at this waterfront bar, live music, and great conversations.

Southport Coffee Co. & Kitchen

130 E. Moore Street, Southport

Coffee, beer and good food, and an outside courtyard and live music too.

La Polena

201 River Dr.

May 18 — Thirsty Thursday…for the Guys

SILVER COAST WINERY TASTING ROOM

105 N. Howe St., Southport Brunswick County’s first and only winery and original Craft Beer Bar. Check

Facebook for specials, tasting events, and snack tray offerings.

Southport Tap & Cellar

827 N. Howe St., Southport

Offering craft beers brought in from across the State. Check Facebook for food truck appearances; wine down Wednesdays and trivia on Thursdays.

The Mullet Bar

112 Yacht Basin Drive

Open during tourist season, with a great view of the boats coming and going.

THE WINE RACK

102 W. Brown St., Southport. The shop offers wines, cigars, coffees and accessories and a cozy patio area to relax with a glass of wine and enjoy live music.

THE PUB OF SOUTHPORT

1513 N. Howe St., Unit 10, Southport

Check the Pub’s Facebook page for drink specials and food truck appearances. Sports programming on eight TVs and live music too!

TIKI TAVERN

104 E. 8th St., Southport

Seating available outdoors, with games, trivia, music and open mic nights; check Facebook for details.

UNCORKED BY THE SEA WINE

SHOP & GALLERY

602 N. Howe St. Southport

Shop for a wide variety of wines and craft beers, call 910-454-0633, or shop online at www.uncorkedbythesea.com. Collector wines, crystal stemware and other great gift items also available.

GRAPE & ALE

8521 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island

Stocked with your old favorites and new wines to try. Check www.thegrapeandale.com, or find them on Facebook for specials and wine tastings.

The Lazy Turtle Oceanfront Grille

601 Ocean Drive, Oak Island

Good food, a great ocean view with gorgeous sunsets. Check Facebook for music and specials.

Crossroads Gathering Place

128 Country Club Drive

Lots of small shops to browse inside, and then enjoy wine, beer or coffee and sit a spell on the porches out back, with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway and Oak Island’s Barbee Bridge.

SEAHORSE

EATS & DRINKS AT OCEAN CREST PIER

1409 E. Beach Drive, Oak Island

Sip your favorite drink and watch the beautiful sunsets at the Ocean Crest Pier.

Second Wind Sports Bar

8620 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island

Live music, jam night, dancing and great drinks. Open Mic night on Tuesdays.

The Office Coffee and Wine Bar

3280 George II Highway (NC 87), Boiling Spring Lakes

Sit a spell with friends and enjoy a fancy coffee drink, good food, a plain cup of joe or a glass of wine, and grab a bottle for later.

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!

2577 BELLAMY DRIVE, SEA VIEW

3 bed | 2 bath | $349,900. Welcome to the waterfront community of Sea View! Located along the Intracoastal waterway, just three miles from the Holden Beach bridge. ‘’The Sailfish’’ is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,330 SF new construction home to be completed in late June 2023. This single story, open-concept home is located on a large private lot. When approaching the home you’re greeted with a welcoming covered porch perfect for rocking chairs and a swing. The single car garage provides space for additional storage while keeping your vehicle out of the elements. Once inside you’ll love the open concept living area with vaulted ceilings and luxury vinyl plank floors. The kitchen is impressive with granite counter tops and a full stainless steel appliance suite including refrigerator. The spacious primary suite has a tray ceiling in the bedroom, and a step-in shower in the bath. Do not let this fantastic new construction home get away from you!. Call Sally Stidham, Southport Realty, Inc., for more information, (910) 540-8320.

MARKETPLACE

to build your dream home on this great lot in the Historic town of Southport. This lot is being sold as a Lot/Home package with home to be built by custom home builder; Wes Cross. Plan to include 3 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths, open floor plan, hardwood floors throughout main living areas and master bedroom, kitchen with stainless steel appliances and solid surface countertops, beautiful trim work and more! Take advantage of this great opportunity so you can pick out all of your finishes and design your home from the start! Give us a call so you can begin building your dream home today. Call Sarah Smith, Southport Realty, Inc., (910) 443-8000 for more information.

close drawers, walk-in pantry, and has an oversized island perfect for entertaining. The large great room has a door that opens out to the screened in porch and fenced backyard area. Upstairs you’ll find 2 nice-sized bedrooms, a full bath and a loft area that can be used for a home office, craft room and more! If you need some extra space for storage there’s an oversized 1 car garage; perfect place to store your golf cart, bikes and beach essentials. Call Sarah Smith, Southport Realty, Inc., (910) 4438000 for more information.

Bedroom, 1 and 1/2 bath home!! With over 200 feet of private waterfront, this property is over 1.36 Acres and sits beside the NC Public Boat Ramp. The following are new items: New HVAC, New Plumbing, 90% New Electrical updates and New Luxury Vinyl Flooring throughout. Two New full bathrooms that include new toilets, new vanities and a new shower and tub. New Water Heater installed. All New Kitchen cabinets with butcher block countertops. New DP 50 vinyl windows. New Fresh Paint on the Interior and exterior. A New 12 x 16 wood deck for sitting and enjoying the evening views of the water PLUS your own New 8x16 floating dock where you can get into the water for a day of fishing on Rice Creek!. Call Katherine Wooten, Southport Realty, Inc., (910) 620-8962 for more information.

4909 B-34 FISH FACTORY ROAD, $175,000.

50’ Wet Slip. B-34. Safe Harbor Marina at South Harbour Village is a luxury full-service marina along the Intracoastal Waterway between Southport and Oak Island. The Marina boasts restaurants with live entertainment and a beautiful waterfront park nearby for dog walking and exercise. Electric, water, pump out, gas and diesel fuel, transient accommodations, and convenient access to the Atlantic Ocean.

| 1 bath | $449,999. Check out this cute 1950’s bungalow (fixer-upper) oozing with potential and sitting high on a .91 acre lot with 200 ft. of road frontage. This home even has a basement for storage. Here you can enjoy the river’s salubrious breezes and catch a glimpse of the large cargo ships passing by. It is second row from the Cape Fear River and a very short distance to historic downtown Southport to enjoy Waterfront Park, other parks, shopping, a variety of restaurants, boutiques, museums, art galleries, seasonal festivals, and so much more. This home has been in the same family for 70 years and is being sold ‘’As Is.’’  Call Katherine Hufham, SouthportRealty, Inc., for more information, (910) 470-4045.venient access to the Atlantic Ocean.

376 TREVALLY COURT - FISHER LANDING 3 bed | 2.5 bath | $352,845. The Harker floorplan by Dream Finders Homes builder is a twocar garage townhome in The Villas of Fisher Landing. This fabulous home has a beautiful open kitchen with a large island and an eating area. The family room has tall ceilings to give this home a very airy feel. The Owner’s suite is located on the 1st floor and has a striking tray ceiling. The ensuite features a large walkin shower, double sinks, and a very spacious closet. The laundry is also located on the first floor! The 2nd floor features two roomy bedrooms as well as a great room - perfect for another entertaining area or movie room! If you like the outdoors, you’ll love the covered porch right off the family room. With the double car garage, this townhome has everything you need! Plus, the location is hard to beat! Walk downtown for a cup of coffee or to enjoy some of the local bars, restaurants, and live music. Better yet, take your golf cart just down the street and live life on the coast. Call Morgan Quinn, Southport Realty, Inc., (910) 4480416 for more information.

N. CASWELL AVENUE, LOT 3 - SOUTHPORT.

3 bed | 2.5 bath | $594,900. Now is your chance

bed |

|

Introducing Smithville Townes! This middle unit is newly built and will be complete in the next 30 days. The master bedroom is on the 1st floor and offers a large walk-in closet, en-suite bath that has beautiful quartz counter tops, tile floors and walk in shower. The gorgeous kitchen boasts 42’’ upper cabinets, quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, soft

‘Old Bait & Tackle’ has been turned into a 2

5467 MAIN STREET 3 bed | 3.5 bath |$449,900. Recently Reduced AND offering $3,000 towards Buyer’s Closing Costs! Located less than 15 minutes to either Holden or Ocean Isle Beaches, this gorgeous home features two en suite bedrooms on the primary level both with walk-in closets. The primary bedroom has handicap accessible bedroom and bathroom doors with a separate shower and soaking tub. Upstairs you will find another full bathroom, large bedroom and spacious office and hallway. There is an abundance of space in their home that you will definitely appreciate! Gleaming hardwood floors in the main living areas, open floor plan with a beautiful kitchen, granite countertops and upgraded lighting fixtures throughout the home. Spend your evenings relaxing by the fireplace or on the back deck looking out over the large property and wooded backyard. With almost 2,800 square feet under roof and over 1.38 acres there are endless possibilities for the new owners. The home also includes a Graceland Lofted Barn storage shed that is 14’ 40’. Imagine having all that extra storage in addition to the floored attic inside the home. And did I mention No City Taxes! This was previously zoned commercial property and could potentially be again. If you are looking for some commercial space for your business, this area cannot be beat. Call Sally Stidham, Southport Realty, Inc., (910) 540-8320 for more information.

711 E. MOORE STREET, SOUTHPORT 3 bed

110 W. 14TH STREET, UNIT B - SOUTHPORT. 3

2.5 bath

$429,000.

803 GORDON LEWIS DRIVE. 2 bed | 1.5 bath | $325,000. WATERFRONT HOUSE! Thee

Find Something Sure To Please Everyone

MOORE STREET OYSTER BAR

110 E. Moore Street, Southport (910) 363-5115

Moore Street Oyster Bar is an oyster pub rooted in the traditions of coastal Southern cooking, epitomized by the seaside town of Southport.

M PROVISION COMPANY 130 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport 910-457-0654

www.provisioncompany.com

Offering a la carte seafood sandwiches, conch fritters, steamed shrimp and more.

RUSTY HOOKS DOCKSIDE GRILL

4907 Fish Factory Rd Southport, (910) 477-6616

www.rustyhooksdockside.com

SEAFOOD SPECIALTY

M FISHY FISHY CAFE

106 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport

910-457-1881

www.fishyfishycafe.com

A sophisticated take on the dockside seafood café, Fishy Fishy serves up plates like Buffalo shrimp, Cajun grouper bites, and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp.

M FRYING PAN

319 West Bay St., Southport

910-363-4382 -

Featuring homemade sweet potato biscuits and fried seafood, as well as other delicacies such as pan seared grouper.

M ISLAND WAY RESTAURANT

1407 E. Beach Dr., Oak Island

910-278-7770

www.islandwayres.com

Offering fine steaks, from filet mignon to flat iron, and fresh seafood, from lobster to crab cakes, with attentive service.

KOKO CABANA

705 Ocean Drive, Oak Island

(910) 933-6222

Open Tues - Sun. Seafood Specialties, Steaks, Sandwiches, Salads

MOJO’S ON THE HARBOR

16 Marina Way, Bald Head Island

910-457-7217

www.mojoontheharbor.com

Featuring Southern classics :fried pickles, shellfish steam pots to global dishes like Italian meat antipasto and Mediterraneans shrimp and grits.

Fun dining featuring fresh local seafood and generational recipes, guaranteed to leave a lasting smile on your face. Come join our small piece of paradise along the coast of Carolina; our team looks forward to greeting you. We welcome boaters to pull up to our docks or contact the Marina Dockmaster on Channel 16, and all others to come down Fish Factory Road and join us for a relaxing meal with a gorgeous view!

SWAIN SEAFOOD SHACK

5119 E Oak Island Dr, Oak Island, Phone: (910) 448-5056

Good food for good people. Locally caught seafood, homemade soups and salad bar.

MODERN AMERICAN

BACK TO SHUCKERS

6220 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island

910-278-4944

Casual dining in a tropical setting, with Caribbean inspired seafood as well as steaks, chicken, pork and salads. (Opening in May)

EDGEWATER 122

122 Yacht Basin Dr. Southport, (910) 677-6130

Locally Sourced, Hand Crafted Food and Drink served waterfront at the Old Yacht Basin.

OLIVER’S ON THE CAPE FEAR

101 West Bay Street, Southport 910-477-9299

oliversonthecapefear.com

Fine dining on the Cape Fear—where exquisite southern cuisine meets the salubrious dishes. We also offer great burgers, steaks, and other southern favorites.

M MR. P’S BISTRO

309 N. Howe St., Southport 910-457-0801

www.mrpsbistro.com

Fine low-country cuisine, from crab-stuffed fish du jour to crab cakes and prime rib.

SHAGGER JACKS

8004 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island 910-933-4103

www.shaggerjacksoki.com

With over 50 beer selections, Shagger Jacks offers an assortment of dishes from steamers to ribs and sweet curry chicken to tacos.

SOUTHERN, A GATHERING PLACE

105 E. Brown St, Southport 910-931-0786

Elevated Southern Cuisine

SWAIN’S CUT SEAFOOD

8317 E. Oak Island Dr, (910) 933-6300

Serving fresh, local seafood and delicious and creative baked treats.

TRANQUIL HARBOR

5908 E. Oak Island Drive Oak Island Call (910) 250-12944

Casual family restaurant with a variety of dishes, seafood and daily specials.

WINE & BEER

GRAPE AND ALE

8521 E. Oak Island Dr. Oak Island, 910-933-4384

Quaint and eclectic store offering a large selection of wines, beers, and spirits. Perfect for either relaxation or for on the go! Tastings on Fridays 5-8pm,

SILVER COAST WINERY

105 S. Howe St. Southport, 910-777-5151

Brunswick County’s first and only winery and original Craft Beer Bar. Craft Beer and Wine tastings all day, every day! Check out our Facebook page for updated events, specialty beer tastings, and live music.

SOUTHPORT TAP & CELLAR

827 N. Howe St., Southport

Huge variety of draught beers, wine, adult slushies and more! Inside and outside seating. Watch our Facebook page for Foodt Truck dates!

THE WINE RACK

102 W. Brown St. Southport, 910-457-5147

Offering a selection of wine, cigars, coffees, and accessories, this quaint shop is perfect for a night out. Great service and over 600 wines to choose from.

UNCORKED BY THE SEA

602 N. Howe St. Southport, 910-454-0633

Offering a wide variety of fine wines and craft beers for in-store shopping, curbside pick-up and shopping on-line. Delivering locally. Enjoy

sipping wine in the shop while admiring local art or in the courtyard. Wines are available to taste every day. Special orders welcome

BARBECUE

M SOUTHPORT SMOKE HOUSE

1102 N. Howe St., Southport 910-363-5035

www.southportsmokehouse.com

Real wood smoked BBQ and brisket, great side items, and a great family environment.

M BAR-B-QUE HOUSE

5002 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island 910-201-1001

www.bestbbqonthebeach.com

Hormel ribs are slow d in house and meats are offered with a variety of sauces, from Eastern NC vinegar to Lexington-style red.

CAFES,

DELIS

& GRILLS

49th STREET BAR AND GRILL

4901 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island Indoor and outside seating will a full menu.

BLUE COW GRILLE

108 Moore Street, Southport 910-363-4402

Serving specialty Burgers,.sanwiches and seafood. Lunch and Dinner

BOB’S DOGS

8903 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island 910-278-3456 • www.bobsdogsoki.com

With custom hot dogs featuring an array of ingredients to homestyle sandwiches like chicken salad and burgers.

THE BREAK

5700 E. Oak Island Drive (910) 933-4734

Breakfast and lunch with an island flair

CAROLINA COASTAL CAFE

607 N. Howe Street, Southport (910) 363-4350

Full service breakfast and lunch cafe withfull coffee bar and baked goods

CHASER’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL

8520 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island 910-278-1500

Enjoy BBQ sandwiches, wings, fish ‘n’ chips and more at this sports grill.

ERIC’S GRILLE

1671 N. Howe St., Southport 910-457-9024

Offers old fashioned, hand patted hamburgers, plus bbq, hot dogs, chili cheese fries and breakfast sandwiches and platters.

Bahn Mi sandwich a Loco Jo’s

FAT ANDY’S BURGERS

3196 George II Hwy,Boiling Spring Lakes 910-845-7700

Handmade burgers using 100% ground chuck, plus freshly cut French fries.

FIXIN’S OKI

8300 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island (910) 933-1009

Southern inspired brunch menu served thoughout the day

JERSEY MIKES

5130 Long Beach Rd. SE, Southport 910-477-6261

Subs and sandwiches, fresh salads.

CAFE KOA

302 N Howe St, Southport, 910-363-4206

Gourmet Sandwich Shop & Market With Yummy Goods & Gifts! Soups, Salads & Sandwiches Served Daily!

LITTLE BIT’S GRILL

5902 E. Oak Island Dr. , Oak Island 910-278-6430

A classic burger joint, onion rings and other sides. Breakfast is served, pancakes and bacon.

LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL

601 Ocean Drive, Oak Island, 910-278-7725

Oceanfront dining and entertainment that is easy on the wallet and hard to forget. Tiki bar, arcade with two pool tables and plenty of seating to host your work, friend or family fun!

LOCAL’S FAMILY DINER

832 N. Howe St., Southport 910-457-0444 www.localsfamilydiner.com

With a warm and friendly atmosphere, Local’s Family Diner serves breakfast all day long and a seafood and entrée menu for lunch and dinner.

LOCO JO’S

602 N. Howe St., #E

Fresh, creative asian and American specialties with wine, beer and a now a fully stocked bar

LONERIDER AT OAK ISLAND

57th Place west, Oak Island

Lonerider Brew-Stillery outlaws bring award winning brews/bourbons and atmosphere to Oak Island. Enjoy a beer or bourbon with the outlaws, listen to live music, play outdoor games, and raise a toast to craft beer and spirits community. Enjoy delicious food with amazing views of the intercoastal. Limited release, and cool specialty beers/spirits will be available at the Hideout

MOORE DOGS AND MORE

4346 Long Beach Rd, Southport

Hot Dogs, BBQ, and MORE!

M SOUTHPORT COFFEE CO. AND KITCHEN

130 E. Moore St., Southport, 910-363-4203

Open for breakfast and lunch, specializing in organic and fairtrade coffee as well as gourmet sandwiches crafted with Boar’s Head deli meats.

OAK ISLAND DELI AND PUB

5422 E. Oak Island Dr., 910-278-4005

Offering hamburgers, sub sandwiches, salads, wraps, seafood and daily drink specials.

OAK ISLAND SUBS AND SALADS

5705 E. Oak Island Dr. 910-278-9040

From BLT’s with avocado to Cajun and Reuben sandwiches, & other quality sandwiches.

OASIS BAR AND GRILL

8039 River Rd. SE, Southport

910-454-4004

Shrimp in every style, plus sandwiches; try entrées such as scampi and filet mignon.

THE OFFICE COFFEE & WINE BAR

3280 George II HWY (BSL) Southport NC

910-351-8093 www.theofficecoffeeandwinebar. com

We serve Roast Magazine’s 2016 Roaster of the year, Espresso, Coffee Drinks(Hot, Frozen, Iced) Smoothies, Variety of Red/White Wines & Craft Beer. Also Pastries, Trays, Breakfast and Lunch Wraps.

OLD BRIDGE DINER

132 Country Club Dr., Oak Island

910-250-1184

A casual diner featuring breakfast & lunch, from fluffy omelets to burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Open 6am - 2pm.

OLDE BRUNSWICK GENERAL STORE

1450 50 Lakes Dr., Boiling Spring Lakes 910-845-2707

Made-to-order breakfast and lunch grill.

THE SAUCY SOUTHERNER

501 N Howe Street, Southport (910) 477-6065

Offering breakfast & lunch with a southern twist. Real Good Feel Good, Food.

SUNSET GRILL

5119 E. Oak Island Dr, 910-933-6137

Mediterranean Cuisine with a Lebanese influence

TROLLY STOP

111 S. Howe St., Southport 910-457-7017

www.trollystophotdogs.com

A staple in NC, Trolly Stop is renowned across the nation for its one of a kind hot dogs.

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ

1671 N. Howe St. #1A, Southport

910-363-4908

www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com

Bold, flavorful food and smoothies with a healthy appeal. Our items are made to order with fresh, simple, superior ingredients.

WILDLIFE RESTAURANT & GRILL

4381 Fish Factory Rd., Southport 910-457-9953

www.wildlifegrill.webs.com

Serving a full range of items on our menu from breakfast to home cooked meals.

CHINESE ASIAN TASTE

1671 N. Howe St., Ste. 3, 910-457-0988 asiantastesouthportnc.com

Takeout traditional Chinese food, with staples such as lo mein, sesame chicken, and General Tso’s.

JAPANESE

TENGU JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE

4956 Long Beach Rd. SE, 457-9398

Sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, hibachi, tempura and udon noodles all available.

MEXICAN

SOUTHPORT

GOURMET AND SUSHI BAR

1643 N. Howe St, Southport (910) 477-9045

Serving a varietry of home-cokked Asian specialties and featuring a full sushi bar.

TASTE OF CHINA

4956 Long Beach Rd., Southport, 457-1838

Serving Cantonese, Szechuan and Hunanstyle Chinese food.

INTERNATIONAL

M

PORTS OF CALL

116 N. Howe St., Southport, 457-4544 www.portsofcallbistro.com

Offering choices that are largely influenced by dishes from across the globe. Menu items and specials can whisk your palette from Casablanca to Barcelona, Santorini to Mumbai, and from Marseilles to Munich or Charleston. Finish with a fresh baked dessert in the romantic atmosphere.

ITALIAN

M BELLA CUCINA

5177 SouthportSupply Rd., Southport 910-454-4540 www.belladiningnc.com

Focusing on family Italian recipes, Bella Cucina serves up everything from fine and fresh local seafood to hand tossed, New York style pizzas. Aside from a decadent wine list, Bella Cucina also offers specialty martinis.

CASTUCCI’S AN ITALIAN JOINT

4332 Long Beach Rd, Southport 910-477-6755

Family Italian restaurant

D’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

2831 Midway Rd Ste 106 (910) 253-8151

Serving Itaiian entrees, pizza and sandwiches.

FALCONE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

5013 Southport Crossing Way, Southport 910) 363-8000

Serving home cooked Itailan specialties in a friendly atmosphere.

M JOSEPH’S ITALIAN BISTRO

5003 O’Quinn Blvd., Southport, 454-4440 www.josephsitalianbistro.com

Armed with decades of experience and “secret” family recipes, Joseph’s Italian Bistro appeals with candlelit dining and fresh Italian continental cuisine.

DELPHINA CANTINA

10 Marina Wynd, Bald Head Island 910-457-1222

delphinacantina.webs.com

Mexican cuisine with Spanish and Cuban flare, such as Churrasco Cubano and Pescado Especial—both with plantains.

KAI JOE’S

4722 E Oak Island Dr, Oak Island Phone: (910) 622-1509

Traditional Mexican dishes and specialties.

SAN FELIPE

1671 N. Howe St., Ste. 1, Southport & 4961 Long Beach Rd. SE 910-454-0950

Serving authentic dishes, such as fajitas, enchiladas and chalupas, fresh salsa and margaritas; serves traditional Mexican dishes.

TACO & BURITTO SHACK

3261 Hwy 87, BSL 910-351-0179

SIDE STREAT TAKE OUT

524 N Howe St., Southport

910-363-4113

Tex-Mex style cuisines at a local take-out joint. Serving a variety of fish, beef, and veggie bowls. Also offering quesadillas, tacos and hot, homemade soup. Take out or relish your meal under the shaded, outside dinning area.

PIZZERIAS

BAMBINI’S PIZZERIA

1513 N Howe St, Southport 477-9352

A New York Style Pizzeria featuring homemade pizza, pasta, desserts, etc. Also serving a selection of beer and wine.

BEACH ROAD PIZZA AND WINGS

4688 Long Beach Rd, Southport

Pizzas, wings, fries, desserts

DRY STREET PUB AND PIZZA

101 E. Brown St., Southport 457-5994

www.drystreetpubandpizza.com

Known for handmade, original pizzas—including Margherita, “very veggie,” and Greek. Also offers salads, soups and gourmet sandwiches.

FAMOUS SUBS AND PIZZA

1541 N. Howe St., Southport • 457-5143

Recognized regionally for outstanding gyros, calzones and pizzas.

MO’S WOOD FIRED KITCHEN

4956 Old Long Beach Road SE ,Southport

Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Salads & Wings

PIZZA SHACK

6212 E. Oak Island Dr., • 278-6781

Offering a variety of pies from classic favorites to Greek white and Hawaiian.

THE PEPPERONI GRILL

3156 George II Hwy, Boiling Spring Lakes 845-5151 • www.pepperonigrillnc.com

Offering eat in, take out and delivery. As well, offering oven toasted subs and calzones.

PEPPERONI GRILL AT THE BEACH

4320 East Beach Drive • 250-1190 www.pepperonigrillnc.com

Open 7 days a week year round. Offering eat in, take out as well as delivery.

PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA

4961 Old Long Beach Rd SE, Southport (910) 454-0757

Take-out/delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, wings & breadsticks, plus desserts.

DOMINO’S (SOUTHPORT)

1671 N Howe St #1b, Southport (910) 457-0083

DOMINO’S (OAK ISLAND)

5003 E Oak Island Dr, Oak Island (910) 278-9111

Delivery/carryout chain offering a wide range of pizza, plus chicken & other sides.

THAI

INDOCHINE EXPRESS

1131 N. Atlantic Ave, Southport (910) 363-5072

Asian delicasies for dine-in or take-out

THAI AND VINE

106 SE 58th Street

(910) 933-1025

Southeast Asian specialties

BAKERIES/ COFFEE

BURNEY’S BAKERY

808 N. Howe St., Southport 454-4222

Known for their light and flaky filled croissants with a sweet sugar glaze, plus more.

ISLAND JO COFFEE ‘N CAFE

7916 E. Oak Island Drive (910) 250-1677

Homemade bagels, breakfast sandwiches, quiche, specialty coffees and sandwiches.

JUMPIN’ JAVA OAK ISLAND

4022 Old Bridge Rd., Southport • 363-4841

We carry a large variety of gluten free/vegan baked goods, as well as homemade coffee cakes and muffins. Delicious and decadent specialty drinks: lattes, mochas, frapps, hot chocolate, Chai teas and more.

PORT CITY JAVA

113 N. Howe Street, Southport 454-0321

www.portcityjava.com

We serve coffees, espresso drinks, fruit smoothies, milkshakes, fresh juices, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and wraps all day. Open year round. Complimentary WiFi. Comfortable inside and outside seating. Coffee catering available.

RUBY’S COFFEEHOUSE AND EATERY

At the Oak Island Pier, 705 Ocean Dr. Oak Island

Serving bagels, croissants, sandwiches, hot dogs and coffee right at the pier.

SEASIDE MERMAID

6102 E Oak Island Drive

Enjoy sweet treats, ice cream and coffee right next to Mermaid Cove. Outside seating available.

SIDE STREET BAKERY

417-A N. Howe Street, Southport 363-4629

Locals suggest the cupcakes, lemon bars, key lime pie, and carrot cake.

STAARR CAKES BAKERY

200 Country Club Dr., Suite E, Oak Island 512-8881

www.staarrcakes.com

Made from scratch cupcakes, biscuits, and pies using the finest ingredients available. Coffee supplied by an NC roaster.

ICE CREAM

CHUCK’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

5021 Southport Crossing Way, Southport (910) 363-0208

Featuring delicious home made ice cream.

M DAIRY QUEEN

5701 E. Oak Island Dr.,• 278-5371

Featuring the iconic Blizzards, waffle-bowl sundaes, and more frozen treats. *Call for other nearby locations.

FLAVA’S COFFEE AND ICE CREAM

310 W. Bay St., Southport • 457-5150

Ice Cream at the Yacht Basin

HAVEN

307 N. Howe St., Southport

Bites, Beer, Gelato, Wine

LIL & JOHN’S SWEETREAT HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

6324 East Oak Island Drive.

Family-owned and operated. Featuring 16 flavors of ultra-premium, homemade ice cream. We use only dairy from grass-fed North Carolina cows and never add artificial flavors or colors.

SEASIDE MERMAID

6102 E. Oak Island Drive

Enjoy sweet treats, ice cream and coffee right next to Mermaid Cove. Outside seating available.

SPIKE’S DAIRY BAR

201 N. Howe St., Southport, 477-9117

More than just ice cream, Spike’s offers great hot dogs as well.

THE SCOOP SHOP

4922 East Oak Island Dr, OKI 910-250-1321

The best ice cream on the beach! Plus made to order cake donuts and fresh hot donuts!

SOUTHPORT SUZIE’S

4956 Old Long Beach Rd. Suite 1, Southport 910-363-4188

Frozen Yogurt & Desserts; Wine & Beer, Outside seating

SUGAR DADDIES

5119 E. Oak Island Drive

Ice Cream and Dip-n-Dots

TIKI PINEAPPLE WHIPS

4602 E. Beach Drive, Oak Island (910) 632-0598

Dole Whip pineapple frozen treats right at the beach!

TROPICAL TREATS

5811 E. Oak Island Drive

Ice Cream, Italian Ice, Coffee, Ho,me Made Fudge