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Happy 4th of July
One of our most favorite things about doing these magazines is that we get to tell you about people running your neighborhood businesses. This month, our intrepid reporter Jan took husband Tony for a hot shave and some man pampering at Z’s Barbershop, and you can read all about how this young man came to Leland and saw an opportunity to open his dream business and raise his family. We also have a contributed story about the new commander taking charge at the American Legion, and our now traditional monthly lineup of columns about fishing, fitness and golf, which are all important activities in our coastal communities.
This month, we also asked our writers at all three magazines to share their July 4th memories (so feel free to travel about the county to find Southport Magazine and Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine). Seeing two themes running throughout their contributions made us smile — family, and freedom and independence are really what July 4th is all about. Enjoy — Lisa.
A Cut Above The Rest Changing A Routine Into An Experience
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE
Some people know what they want to do for a living from a very young age. There is a passion that grabs them early in life and even when they are not focused on that passion, it is still in their thoughts and actions. Knowing that “This is it. This is what I want to do,” makes them move forward and work hard to achieve their goals. That’s what happened to Dylan Zuschlag, owner of Z’s Barbershop, located at 1026 Appleton Way, NE, #160 in Leland (turn into the Mill Creek driveway on Village Road.)
“I’ve been a barber since I was 14 years old,” Dylan explained. “Growing up, my mom used to cut our hair in the basement — my two older brothers, my dad’s, and mine. She never cut my hair the way I wanted it, you know, the cool hip styles. One day, when I was 14, I was just hanging around in the basement with my brothers and my cousin. I picked up my mom’s clippers. My cousin was sitting there, so I decided to just start cutting. Of course, the end result was terrible, but right then, I fell in love with what I was doing, so I started cutting more friends,
family and teammates.”
Originally from Greenville, Pennsylvania, Dylan continued, “I was an apprentice barber in Pennsylvania for a few years. I left the profession for quite a while to earn more money and got a job with Verizon in the sales department. I enjoyed my job but didn’t really love it. I transferred to Wilmington with Verizon, but I knew I was ready for a change and knew exactly what I wanted to do — I just didn’t know how to go about it. In talking to different people every day at Verizon, a customer suggested that I look into the barber program at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, North Carolina, which is what I did. After I finished their program, I worked in a barbershop in Wilmington for a while. During
the time I was there, I dreamed about what kind of shop I was going to open once I was able to. The shop where I worked in Wilmington opened a location in Leland, so I transferred here and fell in love with the town. People here are really caring and kind. It kind of reminds me of being back home in Pennsylvania. I moved my family from Wilmington to Leland three years ago, and now Leland really feels like home. I used
to get homesick often, but being here makes me feel like I am raising my family in a safe place with great people.”
After a lot of searching, Dylan knew the location, off of Village Road next to the Fire Department, was the place. “It took us a year to get everything together. We signed a lease in October, 2023 and opened the shop on May 20, 2024.”
Z’s barbershop is different than other barbershops. “This is a place that offers services that others don’t. We focus on the little details that older gentlemen and professionals expect,” Dylan said.
“Barber shops are making a comeback,” Dylan said. “We have a clean environment. We have high quality equipment and professional barbers. You will get consistent service with straight razors, hot lather, and hot towels for shaves; not many barber shops offer that kind of service these days. We use straight razors, not for just shaves, but for haircuts, too. You will get consistently good quality haircuts, no matter what kind of hair you have. Our barbers are well versed in different hair textures and types. We offer diversity in styles but keep what you want your hair to look
like as our main focus. We are prepared to cut thick dense hair, long hair, thinning hair, and balding hair. Your experience will be like that of your father’s or grandfather’s — not just getting a haircut but getting treated to a routine that makes you relax and enjoy the experience.”
“Z” and his team of four professional barbers work six days a week, Monday through Friday, from 8 am until 6 pm, and on Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm and the shop takes cash only. Although the team sees around 40 to 50 clients a day, appointments aren’t required. Just drop in and wait for your favorite barber. Depending on what service you are having done, you could be in the chair from 30 minutes to an hour. Attention to detail, precision and old-style service dictate the final outcome.
Mike, a local Leland firefighter, has been getting his hair cut by Dylan for years, “I come to Dylan because he’s
the best,” he said. “I come in once a week now that he has his own place. I come for the conversation, and the environment. Z’s barbershop has an
Biz Feature
old school feel and tradition you just don’t get any more from other barbershops.”
I treated my husband, Tony, to a hot shave at Z’s. The last one he got was 53 years ago when he was in the military. Tony said, “I’ve never seen a barbershop this big or this clean. Most barbershops are narrow, and most don’t have televisions mounted on the walls.” After the shave, his face smooth and clean and his mustache trimmed with precision, Tony smiled and said, “This was relaxing. I may treat myself from time to time just to enjoy the experience again.”
Another wonderful aspect of Z’s Barbershop is that it’s not only for men. “We see a lot of kids who want designs like lightning bolts and stars,” Dylan said. “We’ve seen some diverse styles, too. We’ve done mullets, rat tails, surfer cuts, high tops and flat tops. You name it, we’ve done it. We also cut women with short or medium length hair. We don’t shampoo, do layers or do color, but we charge basically the same price for a woman to get her hair cut that we do for men. It may differ by
a few dollars, depending on length, but it’s going to be less than salon prices.”
The shop itself is spacious and modern and there is a smell of mint and leathery notes tinged with alcohol as you enter. It smells fresh, like a citrus scent with undertones of talcum powder. The styling capes have a military flair, as does the interior, with a large American flag hanging near the ATM machine at the entrance. When asked about the military theme, Dylan said, “I am a big and deep supporter of the military and also for this country. My father and grandfather served in the military. That flag says, this is the American way, and I stand by it.”
Returning to the thought of Leland having a hometown feel, Dylan said, “Right after I opened the shop, I was surprised by the incredible support from people. Local people just stopped by to see what we were all about and say good luck. Businesses came as well. We received incredible sponsorship from Ashley Long with Intracoastal Reality and James Brendle with Farm Bureau Insurance, as
well as the people from Piggly Wiggly, who came with food. So, to give back, we encourage people to come by and advertise their businesses or events with us.”
Looking around at what he has accomplished, Dylan said, “I pride myself on being a genuine person, not just a business owner, but someone who is truly a part of the community. Obviously, I’m in business to be successful for my family, but being involved with the community, meeting people, being active and giving back to the community is very important to me. This is our hometown now. My kids will go to school here. My wife works here. This is where we want to be.”
Every once in a while, when you are
writing a story about someone, you meet an exceptional person. Someone who shares their life story, their dreams, and their goals with you. They let you into how their passion works and for a moment in time, you share their enthusiasm and the feeling that anything is possible if you follow your dreams. Dylan Zuschlag is one of those people. His true and honest nature permeates the shop. His dedication to building a place that is a cut above the rest is evident from the moment you walk through the door. Stop in and see what’s happening inside.
Leland is a growing and happening place and Z’s barbershop fits right in. Visit Z’s Barbershop in person, or on Facebook and Zsbarbershop24 on Instagram, or call 910-399-5171.
4th of July
Once, Before I Die
Fourth of July Memory Misunderstanding
STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE
Iamnot your average car enthusiast. I didn’t grow up loving muscle cars or fancy “wheels.” To me, cars are cars — except for Duesenbergs. Those are works of art. Duesenberg Motor Company was an American automobile manufacturer that was established in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1920. They made racing and luxury cars and popularized the “straight-eight” engine and four-wheel hydraulic brakes
The Duesenberg was the best of the best. Everyone wanted one and only the most wealthy could afford them. In 1931, you could buy a “Duesey” for $16,500. At that time, houses were selling for $6,500. A Duesenberg measured 22 feet long and 7 feet wide and every inch was made from the finest materials.
I don’t remember how I became aware of Duesenbergs, but I loved everything about them. To me, they were the symbol of a classic era and I longed to be in the presence of the majesty that they were. I often told people, “Once, before I die, I’m going to ride in a Duesenberg.”
My husband, who was aware of my passion, decided to surprise me one 4th of July by taking me to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, in Auburn, Indiana. It was an amazing place
with a variety of Duesenberg models ranging from 1921 to 1937, when the last Duesenberg was made. Seeing the models lined up, I was in heaven. I walked around in awe of finally being so close to something I had admired for so long. What I didn’t know was that my husband was trying to arrange a ride for me with one of the Duesenberg collectors gathered outside for a classic car show. He approached the owners, offering to pay if they would take me for a ride. Many said no. He saw one owner and apparently said, “My wife loves these cars. She told me, once before she dies, she wants to ride in a Duesenberg, would you give her a ride?”
The next thing I knew, I was in the passenger seat of a Duesey with my husband in the back seat while the owner
took me around town and then for a drive on a more open road. The museum had a glass front, and as we drove by, the owner said to me, “Look over there at the glass, see how great you look in a Duesey!” And I did. I was beaming and tearful and moved by the effort my husband took to make a dream come true for me and the kindness of a man who owned a treasure he was willing to share with me. It was a ride I will never forget. When we pulled back into the muse-
um parking lot, a seemingly entitled man approached the car and declared to the owner, “Hey, I want a ride. What will it take for me to get one, too?”
The owner looked at the man in a rather gruff manner and said, “I don’t usually give people rides, you have to be dy…” and with that, he wiped his eyes with his hand and walked away.
1933 Deusenberg, “Twenty Grand” from the Franklin Mint. A Gift from husband Tony
Gary Cooper posing with a 1930 Model J
4th of July
Hunting For Buntings
Discovering A New 4th of July Obsession
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PATRICIA LANGER
There’s so much to love about the 4th of July in our corner of North Carolina! Southport’s legendary festival is not to be missed, with the naturalization ceremony, the craft vendors and food trucks, and the beloved 4th of July parade. Oak Island hosts its popular Beach Day on July 1, with all sorts of fun games, competitions, and live music. Of course nothing beats the magic of watching fireworks on the beach. But what struck me the most my first summer here in 2018 was not one of these terrific events, but rather, the astonishing proliferation of pleated American flag buntings. That’s right, I was overwhelmed by buntings!
Flag buntings are everywhere you look around here. They hang from balconies, porch railings, windowsills, stairways and doorways. Buntings hang on docks, piers, and even on boats. Homeowners, businesses, churches and municipalities are all in on it. If you are from the South, you may not realize that this is unusual. Buntings, in such great numbers, are not really a thing in other parts of the country. We live in a bunting-crazed enclave, and I love it!
are nowhere to be found.
I grew up in New England and I’m not even sure I was aware of flag buntings until I moved to NC. In New England, nearly every house has a flagpole attached to the front doorframe where traditional American flags are flown proudly on the 4th of July. A lot of folks also stick mini flags in their gardens or near the mailbox. But pleated flag buntings are few and far between. The same is true in the Pittsburgh area, where we lived for 15 years before moving to NC; flags abound but buntings
I was fairly certain that pleated flag buntings are a southern thing, but to be sure, I looked it up online. I found this pronouncement in — of all things — Southern Living Magazine:
If you did nothing else for all the American holidays other than displaying red, white and blue buntings on the front of your home, outlining the porch or front door, you would be set! Nothing says America like the bunting and banners that feature the stars and stripes of the American flag.
The blog post went on to say this:
In the South, it is tradition to have a party for the “Hanging of the Bunting” and another party for the “Unhanging of the Bunting.” It is usually hung for Memorial Day and taken down after Labor Day.
I was not aware of that tradition, but I plan to give it a try this year! I’m always a bit sad when I take my buntings down after Labor Day; everything looks so plain and boring afterward. I think a bunting party is the perfect solution! And maybe my party guests can help me figure out how to fold the darn things up. Unlike the American flag, which is folded ceremoniously into a tidy little triangle (I mastered that in Girl Scouts), flag buntings are a pain in the butt
to fold! There’s just no way to get a pleated, semi-circle of stiff cloth back into its square package. My buntings end up stuffed in a plastic tote, making it harder every year to get those pleats to hang right.
A helpful tip from Better Homes & Gardens suggests hanging the washed or drycleaned buntings (wait, seriously?) from hangers and storing them in clothing bags in a closet. Too bad my closets are already overstuffed with beach towels, unfinished craft projects, and winter clothes that I’ll probably never need.
Through the past six years, Jeff and I have thoroughly embraced flag buntings. We started by hanging three large buntings from our front porch railings and were thrilled with our southern décor. The next year, we added two more buntings to the second floor balcony. The year after that, two buntings were added to our back porch. Last year, we hung another on our dock, bringing our total to eight. Our house looks as Southern as they come for the 4th of July.
These days, Jeff and I find ourselves “bunting hunting” on our morning walks with our dog Lucy. We enjoy the various –and sometimes creative — ways that people display their buntings. While the only rules I’ve found for pleated flags are those of the traditional American flag, (ie. It should not touch the ground and should be hung horizontally), I do think a few guidelines could be useful. Particularly in regard to size, which really does matter sometimes.
Based on our highly unprofessional observations, a bunting looks best when its size is proportional to the place where it’s hung. For instance, a small 12” bunting looks rather lonely on an 8- or 9-foot section of railing (see picture below.) Conversely, a large bunting that drags on the ground should probably be hitched up, out of respect. And since we live in an area that is blessed with “salubrious breezes,” it’s wise to consider using something to prevent the Marilyn Monroe effect, with buntings blown up over the railing. Not a good look. Zip ties, clothes pins, mini bungees, or picnic table weights all work well.
Of course these are just suggestions, not critiques. Wherever, and however, you hang your buntings, it’s all good! It warms my heart to see these patriotic symbols that remind us we are all Americans, able to set aside our political differences to honor our great country on the Fourth of July. Flag buntings are a charming Southern tradition and Patriotism never gets old!
Droopy bunting, a no-no
Tiny buntings
The author’s back deck bunting
Keeping Fit
Soaring With Sammy
Consistent Goals Can Change Your Life
STORY BY VICTOR FERNANDES
Victor Fernandes is owner of Fernandez Fit, helpjng clients achieve personal and professional success through health and fitness
Health and fitness goals come in different forms – even forms you wouldn’t ordinarily expect. And often, those goals symbolize something bigger. Take, for example, Sammy the Sea Gull… an image that likely already has sparked feelings of confusion within you early on in a story about health and fitness.
Sammy is the mascot for Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland, which I’m sure has done little to alleviate those feelings of confusion.
No need to worry, because knowing who Sammy is and where he comes from isn’t important. It’s what Sammy symbolizes that matters – in this case, a key milestone in one of my great client’s personal health and fitness journey.
Earlier this year, I was in that client’s living room outlining a challenge I designed for any of my clients who wanted to participate. It’s a more personal approach to 75 Hard, a well-known challenge in the health and fitness community that features six specific tasks to be completed every day for 75 consecutive days.
In the original version, the tasks are:
* Take a progress photo
* Follow a diet of your choice (for example, the Mediterranean diet)
* No alcohol or cheat meals
* Drink a gallon of water per day
* Complete two 45-minute or longer workouts, with one being held outside
* Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book (I focused on self-development books)
In my client’s version, he selected six tasks unique to him to complete over the same length of time. They could have a physical component, as in the original 75 Hard program, but it didn’t have to be. They simply needed to be tasks, that when consistently completed every day, become healthy habits that improved his life.
Both are challenging for the same
reason. They force you to eliminate the excuses and simply do the work every day, no matter what wrench inevitably gets thrown into our day. Fail to complete one task when the clock strikes midnight, and you start at Day 1 again. I’ve completed the challenge twice. But the one time I failed… I forgot to take a progress photo. Yes, in today’s selfie-crazed society, I forgot to complete a task that takes only a few seconds to do – on Day 64 of 75.
And yes, I started over at Day 1 – and went on to conquer the challenge for the second time. This client was the only one to complete my challenge.
And as we mutually agreed during that initial meeting earlier this year, he earned a prize he set for himself – a Salisbury University cap with an image of Sammy the Sea Gull emblazoned on the front.
I presented him that cap in his living room, the same place where the challenge began. He admitted to forgetting all about it. Still, he proudly dons that cap, because it confirmed what was important – 75 straight days of doing tasks that have him continuing to move in the right direction toward more significant goals.
Each day, he focused on the task at hand – six tasks to complete that has led to healthy habits now firmly ingrained in his daily life. Since then, Sammy the Sea Gull serves as a symbol for personal health and fitness journey – a reminder to do the work even on days when he doesn’t feel like it. How often have you done anything
for 75 straight days? Few people can make that claim. I can, but I also have lost focus on the tasks at hand. I have openly admitted that I don’t feel like getting in the gym and doing the work every day.
There are plenty of days when moti-
vation to do the work simply isn’t there. But I do the work anyway. Never have I thought to myself, “I didn’t feel like doing the work, but I did it anyway… and I feel worse.” I always feel better, because I overcame the excuses, faced the challenge head on and got the job done.
Life is challenging in its own ways. We need to face them, and conquer them, seemingly every day. Challenging ourselves like this makes us stronger. It also exposes our weaknesses, the areas of our lives we need to improve on to create the best version of ourselves. So in the case of my client, and in all of us…
We have only begun.
If you would like to learn more about how to develop the mindset needed to reach the health and fitness goals you have set for yourself, contact me at 814-504-7774 or by email at info@ fernandesfit.com or head to fernandesfit.com.
Conserve Wate r Conserve Wate r
IRRIGATION SCHEDULE
NO IRRIGATION MONDAYS
Odd Addresses
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Even Addresses
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Raise your lawn mower blade, taller grass provides shade for soil and better water retention
Water early in the morning or late in the evening when water is less likely to evaporate
Inspect irrigation system for leaks and install rain sensors on irrigation
Position sprinkler heads on grass and gardens; avoid wasting water on sidewalks, driveways, and the street
User soaker hose or drip irrigation.
Add a shutoff nozzle to your house.
Use native plants that need less water.
Fireworks With Family
STORY AND PHOTO BY JANET FORTNEY
Haaappppy Fourrrrth of Juuuullyyyyyy!” a blonde little girl on the blanket behind ours trilled loudly and often during that long-ago July 4th as we waited for the fireworks to begin. I had no idea then that her expression of delight on that humid evening would stay in my mind for the past 15 years. But for some reason it has.
The memory of her sweet, sing-songy voice takes me back to that particular 4th of July night. This night was one that was very much like most of the 4th of Julys that my husband Scott and I and our three children, Madeleine, Maxwell, and Juliette, celebrated as they were growing up. These days, our “kids” spend most of their time working and studying in three different cities and remembering our idyllic 4th of Julys past puts a lump in my throat. But I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.
When our youngest daughter Juliette was six months old, we began celebrating our 4th of July holidays in St. Mi-
chaels, Maryland, an historic, picturesque small town on the Chesapeake Bay (not very unlike Southport actually). We usually started the day at our backyard pool which overlooked Spencer Creek. As Bob Marley’s best-of album played on repeat, our family, visiting relatives, and friends, spent hours floating past each other on blue and green pool noodles and the kids jumped – and jumped and jumped again – off the diving board.
When the sun got low, the creek became a sheet of glass and the world turned golden. Dinner – the all-American menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob – was deliciously charred on the
Swing For Success:
grill. Or sometimes, we treated ourselves to a crab feast, the just-steamed, Old Bayspiced crabs carried home from Big Al’s on Talbot St. in a brown paper grocery bag. At our picnic table, many children were taught the steps of the time-honored process of “crackin’ crabs.”
After dinner, we drove up the road to ride carnival rides and see fireworks. In the approaching darkness, we laid our quilt on the ground and waited in a buzzy state of anticipation. As a toddler, Juliette
couldn’t bear the booming fireworks, so we set her up with Nickelodeon shows on the screen in our nearby minivan where we could keep an eye on her.
As the years passed, the wide open field that had been just a field surrounded by more fields changed. We watched the fireworks from the same spot, but now a Target loomed nearby and parking lots surrounded us. In unison with the hundreds of other people around us, we “oohed” and “ahhed” at each beautiful explosive formation, pointing out to each other which were our favorites.
When the finale was over, we grownups sighed, “Well, I guess that’s it” and the kids pouted “awwwww” and their shoulders sagged. Our fingers were sticky from cotton candy and funnel cake. We smelled like mosquito spray and were itchy from the bugs that had bitten us anyway. Maxwell’s brand-new toy, with its red and blue flashing lights, kept going even though his chocolate-brown eyes had closed with joyful exhaustion. We went home and put the kids’ glow stick bracelets in the freezer because we heard they lasted longer that way. And then we began waiting for the next 4th of July.
Summer Food Help
Realtors Group Donates To Assistance Program
CONTRIBUTED
The Brunswick County Association of REALTORS “BCAR Cares”
Task Force recently donated $3,000 to the Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA) Summer Food Program, supporting BFA’s mission to ensure Brunswick County youth have access to breakfast and lunch seven days a week during the 12-week summer break.
“Summertime can be difficult for the many children who rely on school-provided breakfast and lunches during the school year,” said Cynthia Walsh, BCAR CEO. “Brunswick Family Assistance is dedicated to ensuring food security for children and adolescents in our community, and we are proud to support them.”
Brunswick Family Assistance is a private non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Brunswick County families and individuals in crisis
by providing food, shelter, emergency assistance, and educational and skills development programs. For more information, please visit https://brunswickfamily.org/.
The BCAR Cares Task Force is a group of BCAR members working to create programs that all BCAR members can participate in to give back to our community. If you know of an organization that the BCAR Cares Task Force should consider supporting as a part of its Cares Program, please com-
plete the application on BCAR’s website, https://bcarnc.com/home/bcarcares/.
The Brunswick County Association of REALTORS® (BCAR) is the local association level of the largest trade association in the nation, presently serving its members, which are comprised of
REALTORS®, Appraisers and Affiliate Members. Chartered in 1959 by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), BCAR represents the interests of its members in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. For more information, please visit http://www.bcarnc.com.
HISTORY
Bentonville Update
Cape Fear Civil War Round Table Meeting
STORY CONTRIBUTED
The July 11 meeting of the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table (CFCWRT) features a presentation by Fred Claridge, an avid volunteer at the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, and Bill Jayne talking about the outsized reputation of the rifle musket as the cause of high casualties in the Civil War.
Both Fred and Bill are members of the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table and their presentations are part of the group’s Members Forum series. Most Civil War Round Tables across the country take the summer off but Cape Fear relies on the interests and scholarship of its members to continue to present informative programs throughout the summer. Most of these programs are more interactive than the standard lecture format the round table relies on throughout most of the “campaign” year.
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, was the last fullscale action of the Civil War in which a Confederate army was able to mount a tactical offensive. This major battle, the largest ever fought in North Carolina, was the only significant attempt to defeat the large Union army of General William T. Sherman during its march through the Carolinas in the spring of 1865.
The site in Johnston County is less than 90 miles from Wilmington and it is one of the most pristine of all Civil War battlefields in the country. The area around the battlefield has remained largely agricultural and rural and one sees the terrain where the battle was fought much as the soldiers would have seen it almost 160 years ago.
In 1929 Fred Olds, of the NC Hall of History (forerunner of today’s North Carolina Museum of History), wrote of a springtime battlefield tour recently enjoyed in remote southeastern Johnston County. He was truly amazed by what he found.
“One of the best-preserved battle fields of the War between the States is that of Bentonville,” Olds asserted, noting that the field “still reveals lines of
entrenchments so perfectly preserved as to be startling. They reach for miles.”
Extensive ground cover and little new construction in the area had kept the battlefield relatively undisturbed. Marveling at the pristine field fortifications, then adorned with fragrant arbutus blossoms, Olds observed that “nature has in the years which have passed cared for them with infinite tenderness.” As he toured “no end of rifle pits,” probably along the Sam Howell Branch, he found them “as distinct and well preserved as if they had been dug but a few years ago. Time has stood very still in that once bloody area.”
The state of North Carolina has acquired extensive portions of the battlefield and, assisted by the National Park Service and the American Battlefield Trust, it has continued to locate and map battlefield fortifications and other features. Moreover, in recent years, new interpretative trails have been developed to bring people closer to these features and to better understand the highly significant battle.
From the perspective of a dedicated volunteer who has seen many of these new developments reach fruition in the past two years, Fred Claridge will give us an update on this jewel of battlefield preservation.
In a second Member Forum presentation, Bill Jayne will take a look at the impact of the rifle musket on Civil War combat. In the immediate buildup to the outbreak of war in 1861, the rifle musket had replaced the smoothbore musket as the standard infantry weapon. A “musket” is an individual long weapon loaded by the muzzle. The smoothbore musket common to America’s Revolutionary War through the War with Mexico, fired a round ball that was
propelled by black powder down a long barrel that was smooth on the inside. Effective range of the weapon was less than 150 yards.
The rifle musket was still loaded by the muzzle in a painstaking process but “rifling,” (something like the ridges and groves of a bolt or screw) caused the projectile to spin and thus remain truer to its trajectory as it left the barrel of the weapon. This weapon, in general, was seen to have an effective range of about 500 yards.
“The prevailing view of this weapon has been that it revolutionized warfare because of its increased range. Participants and latter-day historians alike have assumed that because the rifle deepened the killing zone so much— from roughly 100 yards to about 500 yards—it produced significant results,” as stated in the introduction to “The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat: Reality and Myth,” by Earl J. Hess, Ph.D. Hess is a retired professor of history at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrowgate, Tennessee. He is a prolific author whose books have been published by several prestigious academic presses. A native of rural Missouri, Hess earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University.
The problem with the prevailing wisdom, which tends to portray the American Civil War as “the first modern war,” largely because of the rifle musket, is that it has seldom been subjected to rigorous analysis. Hess and others have pointed out that several factors limited the effective range of the rifle musket. Chief among those factors was the exaggerated parabolic arc of the projectile. Civil War long arms fired a large projectile, more than half an inch in diameter, with a relatively small amount of propellant. So, the projectile didn’t travel in a more or less flat flight, it rose and then, as gravity took over, came
back to earth. When the weapon was sighted at 300 yards, there were two killing zones: from zero to about 75 yards, and then from about 250 yards to 350 yards. Opposing soldiers in the middle were relatively safe. A well-trained rifleman could estimate the range and adjust his sights in order to hit a target at well over 300 yards. The problem was, very few Civil War riflemen were trained marksmen. As the war progressed, specialized skirmish and sniper units benefited from training and began to have an effect.
Was, then, the new-fangled rifle musket the cause of the high casualties in Civil War battles? Hess wrote: “At best, the rifle musket had an incremental effect on changing the nature of combat for a few selected functions on the battlefield, such as skirmishing and sniping. It did not revolutionize warfare.” Within 10 years, the rifle musket was a museum piece, replaced by breech-loading rifles and then bolt-action, magazine-fed rifles that were tremendously more powerful, easy to operate and a recruit could learn to accurately aim the weapon in a week of training.
Perhaps more important, in terms of causing high casualties, was the lack of training of higher ranking officers. Not one general, north or south, had ever commanded a field force of more than a regiment or two in combat; that is 1,000 to 2,000 men. By 1862, however, men with no relevant experience and precious little academic preparation, were commanding armies in the neighborhood of 100,000 men.
Make plans to come and participate in these discussions. The meeting will take place on Thursday evening, July 11, beginning at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm in Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1219 Forest Hills Drive in Wilmington. The church parking lot and entrance to the meeting room is easily accessed via Park Avenue off of Independence Boulevard. Bring a friend! For more information about membership in the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table, go to http://www.cfcwrt. org and pick “Join/Rejoin.” See you there.
4th of
July
Festival Memories
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCKENZIE BARWICK
After (almost) 33 years of celebrating July 4th in Southport, NC it is hard to pick one favorite memory. As most of you know, we don’t just celebrate the holiday on the 4th, but rather the 1st through the 4th. Growing up, the day I looked forward to the most was Beach Day. Every Beach Day, there is a firework display in front of the Yaupon pier. There is something about sitting on a beach chair with all your closest friends, breeze in the air, and fireworks going off in the prettiest of colors. It was like a preview of what was to come, an appetizer before the big day.
I love seeing the streets close and get taken over by vendors selling chicken on a stick, fresh squeezed lemonade that makes your mouth tingle, turkey legs, and of course anything in a hot dog bun. It’s nice to see so many familiar faces in the crowds all doing the same thing. Each year I find myself having the overwhelming need to buy a new festive shirt (or
multiples) for the event which only adds to the fun. I’ve made so many memories at all the street dances and I look back on them fondly. I didn’t always make it the parade, but there was on year I sat out in front of what used to be Live Oak Café and ran beer out to my friends coming by in their fire truck. There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot July day.
For years, my dad would take my family on the boat, and we would anchor out in front of the yacht basin for the big show on the 4th. The best part was being able to see the entire view of the land with thousands of people gathered to watch the display of celebration bursts. Since summer is the time that most of us make our money, I’ve always loved the fact that this one day—in the middle of the busy season—we all get to enjoy the day off together celebrating the way we want to.
Fourth of July traditions and celebrations have looked different the past few years. Most of the time I work the days leading up to the 4th,
we don’t take the boat out anymore, and there isn’t a big family celebration like there used to be. But now I’ve made new traditions with close friends and still look forward to the day every year. For me, waking up on the 4th is the feeling a lot of people get when they wake up on Christmas. The countdown is on!
FISHING REPORT
July Fishing Report
Summer Brings Opportunities For Big Bites
BY CAPTAIN STEELE PARK
Summer is in full swing and so is the fishing. We have been fighting the wind a bit this year with unseasonably strong East and Northeast winds that have made getting offshore challenging. When we get good weather windows, though, the fishing is awesome. July should see a return to Bermuda high conditions with Southwesterly winds in the mornings and again in the afternoons.
Inshore
Nearshore
The flounder bite this year has been nothing short of epic. Unfortunately, due to recent legislation, flounder fishing will be catch and release only this year. Inshore you will find abundant fish holed up around the Southport waterfront docks, ADM pier, and deep holes up in the creeks and along the marshes. Some of the smaller flounder have also made their way to the nearshore reefs and wrecks as well. Artificial Gulp baits on jig heads are working well as is live bait (which has been plentiful this year). Schools of finger mullets and small pogies can be found in Dutchmen Creek and in the marinas. Depending on how much current is present, a Carolina rig with 3/8th ounce or ¾ ounce egg sinker with a 20-lb, 18-inch fluorocarbon leader will work well. The Red Drum bite has been very good early in the morning before the sun gets up high and it starts heating up. Back in Cape Creek, find the deep holes in the secondary feeder creeks and pitch live bait on a Carolina rig or Jig with a variety of paddle tail baits will get bites.
Fishing has been consistent along the beach out to five miles offshore. The Spanish mackerel bite has been putting smiles on plenty of faces, especially in the early morning. Trolling a clarkspoon behind a #1 or #2 planer attached to 30 feet of 20# fluorocarbon should get you plenty of Spanish to eat for dinner. If you troll at 6-7 knots, you will primarily catch Spanish mackerel, but slow down to 5 knots to catch bluefish. Shark fishing has slowed
Captain Steele Park, a US Navy Veteran, has been fishing the oceans, rivers, and lakes of southeastern NC since he was 7 years old and knows these waters like the back of his hand. He calls Southport home and captains the Catherine Anne Sportfishing & Excursions fleet. For more information please call at 910620-9919
a bit with the hotter water temps but there are still lots in the 3-5-foot range to tangle with. Spanish mackerel heads make an irresistible snack for these apex predators. Also, there have been some smaller 60-pound tarpon seen at the Hot Hole just off Caswell Beach. They can be
targeted using pogies, which have finally moved out of the river and can be found along the beach. If you’re looking for an adventure, something that is really fun in July is catching big barracudas at the reefs 5-10 miles offshore. Use a Sabiki rig and tip them with small pieces of squid to catch pinfish, then troll those pinfish on a king rig around the buoys marking the artificial reefs. Barracudas are very exciting to catch with their monster runs and acrobatics.
Offshore
King Mackerel can be found 15-40 miles out. The Shark Hole has had some good fishing but like its name says, the sharks have been a bit of an issue. On a recent trip, we hooked 20 kingfish and lost 17 of them to sharks. Other places to look for kings are the Horseshoe, Navy Wreck, SW Tower Ledges, and the Frying Pan Tower area. Shipwrecks in the 20-40 mile range are loaded with big amberjacks and cobia. Keep a bucktail with a large rubber twist tail tied to a medium-heavy spinning reel ready for the cobia when they show up. Another option is to anchor up current of the wreck, ledge or reef and deploy a chum bag with a couple of live baits on balloons and a couple suspended below the surface using bank sinkers attached to the line with rubber bands. The cobia will come to investigate the activity and will not be able to resist the pogies in the chum slick. Mahi fishing has been a bit of a disappointment this year both in the Gulf Stream as well as near the tower. Normally this time of year, you can count on them on the first color change, but they are taking their time this year. African pompano has been caught around shipwrecks in 100 feet of water. If you mark the amberjacks, drop a full squid just above the amberjacks to target the pompano. The bottom fishing is also showing off right now in about 100-120 feet of water. On the bottom you’ll find big vermillion snapper, sea bass, triggerfish, and grouper – that’s just good eating right there!
I look forward to seeing you on the water. Tight lines, friends.
Capain Steele
Golf Tips
Nicole’s Golf Notes
How To Set Yourself Up For Golf Success
STORY BY NICOLE WELLER LPGA/PGA GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Nicole Weller instructs local area golfers at Compass Pointe Golf Club in Leland. Feel free to submit your question or topic for the Nicole’s Notes column via her website ‘Contact Nicole’ page. For more information on Nicole and her tips / videos, visit www.nicoleweller.com.
Ready?
Set? Go! Good set-up fundamentals set the stage for what comes next in the swing. As an analogy, if a cement slab is poured crookedly, the house built upon that foundation will not sit well and will have many complications and compensations or even a collapse. Here are some reminders on the key ingredients for a more effective shot…
Grip
The word grip is a noun in golf, not a verb. Many golfers clench and grip the club so tightly that it can’t be swung naturally. Imagine trying to cast a fishing rod with such tightness in the wrists and arms that there isn’t any fling or cast ability. HOLD or PLACE the club in one’s hand or APPLY one’s hands to the club from the most natural position possible. Bring the club to your hand, anatomically hanging naturally to the side of your body, instead of bringing the
hand to the club in front of body between feet (un-anatomically in front of your body). The club is held along the base of the fingers, not across the palm. Many golfers have a wear-hole in the heel pad of their gloves, indicating slippage and improper positioning (indicative of many slicers). The thumb and index fingers on both hands should have a soft pinch to them with no space between them. Grip pressure (scale from 1-5 with 5 being tight) should be roughly a #3 on the hands and a #2 on the wrists and arms at set-up and throughout the swing… keep constant grip pressure and find what number works best for you.
Posture
A neutral spine posture allows for a better thoracic (spine) rotation. Remember that the lower lumbar spine isn’t designed to rotate but bend more forward and slightly backward…we must rotate from the middle (thoracic) spine. Progressive and bi/trifocal glasses cause golfers to look through the top lenses, thereby tucking the chin into the chest and reducing turn (and increasing the body’s need to compensate with raised posture and bent arms in backswing). Too much ‘fanny tuck’ or ‘fanny arch’ can create sway, slide, back issues and overall instability in the swing. Learn what a neutral spine is and how it works for you in your swing. Arms should be hanging, not over-reaching (tension), from the shoulder sockets and since the non-target hand is lower on the grip than the target-hand, the spine is slightly tilted away from the target from the ‘ribs up’ or ‘hips up’. This helps golfers get into position to turn into the
backswing. Many golfers lean toward the target at set-up with the non-target side higher, causing steeper backswings and compensations. The rear hand is lower on the club so the rear side and spine should be lower and tilted away from the target – a golfer can’t have the rear hand lower on the club yet the spine and collar bone even or leaning towards the target!
Aim
Aim is very difficult for all golfers, even Tour players. In the past, even caddies helped line up their players by standing behind them and confirming aim then stepping way before the shot (not legal anymore and it increases pace of play). Why is it so difficult? Golf is a stand-still sport played side-on, unlike basketball free throws, bowling or even driving a car. When standing sideways to the target, it’s easy to get off-track. The club should be set first with the leading edge toward the intended target or line of flight. The feet and body are then positioned parallel to that. The body is NEVER aimed at the target, only the club is, because the body is to the side of the ball. Do a test and take a plastic cup and put it on a tile floor line about 10 feet away from you. Take a club and place it on the same line as the cup. Now take your stance on a line parallel to the club line. Your feet are aimed to the side of the club/cup line, the lines don’t
intersect.
The only way the body could be aimed to the target on the same line as the ball and club head is if the feet were standing on the target line, like croquet. Use aiming references to help align from the side of the ball (close object like a divot, pine needle or leaf over which to aim the club when on the side of the ball). Practice both with alignment rods or clubs down to ensure proper aim and learn what that looks like and then also practice away from the tools to see if you can properly aim without the help. The target should look like it’s a little out in front of you (a righty golfer looking at target at 1:00 and lefty golfer looking to target at 11:00). Use my Neck Check tip…if you have a lot of tension looking back at the target over your shoulder or have to stand up and twist to see the target, you’re aiming your body at the target, not good. You should have minimal straining in your neck as you look out towards the target, almost caddy-corner.
I base my instruction at Compass Pointe Golf Club and am happy to be your duo-LPGA/PGA local Leland resource for anything golf instruction or improvement! For more information and golf tips, please visit www.nicoleweller. com.
LOOKING TO BUILD? THERE’S A LOT TO LOVE IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AND BEYOND
CALENDAR
July
We’ve included events here that were scheduled at press time, but please remember that all events, dates and times are subject to change. For programs offered through the Town of Leland, visit https://apm.activecommunities. com/townofleland/ to register online or register in person at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way
JUNE 29-30
Let Freedom Ring - Patriotic Concert
The Sea Notes Choral Society continues celebrating its 50th Anniversary year with its annual patriotic concert. Take a break from the heat and enjoy classic American music to celebrate the July 4th holiday. Performances are at 3 pm at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College, 150 College Road NE. Attendance is free, but this show fills up quickly!
JULY 6
Kiwanis Comedy Show
The North Brunswick Kiwanis Club (NBKC) host an evening with lots of laughs; the show is a fundraiser for the club and is 7 pm-8:30 pm, at the Gio Fund Event Center, 117 Village Road NE, Units G & E, Leland. The evening lineup includes host Jeff Bartolino and local comic legends Rich Neilsen and John Felts. Tickets are $20. Find https:// www.facebook.com/NorthBrunswickKiwanis for a link to purchase tickets.
JULY 8
Door Hanger Painting
Participants will assemble and paint a 20-inch seasonal door hanger along with the instructor. The session is 6-8 pm and the cost is $35. Register with the Town of Leland.
JULY 11
Artists Reception
Meet artists Marybeth Bradbury and G=Karen Goldman at this artists reception, 9-10:30 am at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. The artists’ works will be displayed in
the gallery July 9-31.
JULY
12
Third Tuesday program —NC Maritime Museum at Southport
Join LeRae Umfleet for the presentation “NC 250: It’s Not 1976 Again!” The program is part of the museum’s Third Tuesday lecture series, which is held at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St. Lectures are geared for ages 16 years and older. Admission is free and open to the public; however, reservations are required since seating is limited. Register below or by calling 910-477-5151.
JULY 17
Cell Phone Photography for Seniors
Learn how to use your cell phone camera like a pro in this class designed specifically for adult users. The class is 2-4 pm. The cost is $60 and participants must have their own cell phone. Register with the Town of Leland.
JULY
18
Stitchin’ Meet Up
Bring your fibers project, whether you sew, embroider, crochet, etc., and meet up with fellow stitchers. No registration is required for this free event, 7-8:30 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
JULY
18
American Legion Post 68 monthly meeting
The John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 Leland meets every third Thursday of each month at 6 pm in the Banquet Room of Blossoms Restaurant in Magnolia Greens, 1800 Tommy Jacobs Drive. Meetings are preceded by dinner at 4:30 pm in the restaurant for those so inclined. This meeting will feature the installation of the Post’s first female Commander, Bea Frost, All veterans and active-duty members of all Service branches in the Leland area are welcome to attend.
JULY 20
Deep Dive Into History — NC Maritime
Museum at Southport
Who knew that making rope was an art form? Join Tom Lacey and learn how this essential nautical tool has been made for centuries. Participants will also be able to make a bit using the Museum’s rope machine. The program is part of the free Deep Dive into History drop-in series, which gives visitors a deeper understanding of our shared past through costumed interpreters and artifacts. The program is for all ages and runs from 10 am to 3 pm. Registration is not required. For more information, call 910-477-5151.
JULY 20
Summer Art Market — LCAC
Take a break from the hot sun and shop for some new artwork or summertime decor for yourself or for a unique gift for someone else. The market is 10 am to 3 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
JULY 25
Ladies
Night Out Purse Bash
The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce hosts its Ladies Night Out dinner and Purse Bash at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. The “purse-ing” begins at 5:30 pm with auction drawings beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include dinner and access to the silent auction, for a chance to win designer bags by Coach, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade. To purchase tickets, call the Chamber of Commerce at 910-383-0553.
JULY 26
Swing Dance
No experience needed for this fund night of dance! Instructors will lead a group lesson, followed by open dance. The dance is 7-10 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
AUG 3
Instructors Showcase
The LCAC instructors take over the gallery this month with their works displayed Aug 3-31. Join them for a recep-
tion from 10 am to 2 pm this day, and find out if there’s a new art you’re ready to learn! The Leland Cultural Arts Center is at 1212 Magnolia Village Road.
ONGOING EVENTS
Riverwalk Marketplace
Thursdays 2-5 pm, Fridays 11 am - 5 pm; Saturdays 10 am - 5 pm; and Sundays 10-4 pm; Produce and fresh seafood, seasonings and all things related to seafood, with the beautiful backdrop of the Brunswick River.
Town of Leland/Parks & Recreation
Check out http://bit.ly/lelandevents for more information on classes and programs, including painting, pottery, jewelry-making, acting, dance and more.
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
8884 St. Philip’s Rd. SE, Winnabow
There is plenty to do and see, 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.
NC Maritime Museums - Southport, 204 E. Moore Street
Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. Sensory Saturdays (low light and quiet time in the museum) are the first Saturday of the month, 10 Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum.com to register for special programs. .
Wilmington River Tours
212 S. Water St., Wilmington
Tour the beautiful Cape Fear River and learn more about the area’s history and ecology. Sunset cruises include acoustic music Thursdays through Sundays! Tours are offered daily, to the north along historic downtown Wilmington, the USS North Carolina Battleship and Eagles Island on the even hours, and to the south under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and past the shipyard on the odd hours; visit https://wilmingtonwatertours.net/ for schedules and to purchase tickets.
Art League of Leland (ALL) at the Leland Cultural Arts Center
The group welcomes artists of all kinds and meets monthly (except in summer months) 4-6 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach
The Museum is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays 12- 4 pm. Sandbar lectures are 5-7 pm on the second Tuesday of the month.
. Ingram Planetarium
7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach
Doors open at 10:30 am Thursdays through Saturdays; dome shows start on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm. Laser shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 6 pm and 7 pm. A new show debuts in March called Cosmic Mashups, which digs into the science behind black holes. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ ingram-planetarium/ to see the show schedule.
LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
701 N. Third St., Wilmington
July 2: The North Carolina Symphony presents Stars and Stripes
July 16 — Buddy Guy
July 25 — Brit Floyd: PULSE
Aug 6 — Iron & Wine: Light Verse 2024 with Rosalie
Aug 7 — StraightNo Chaser: The 90s (male a cappella group)
Aug 24 — Justin Willman: The Illusionati Tour
Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St., Wilmington
July 18-28 — The Opera House Theatre Company presents Beautiful: The Carol King Musical
Check https://www.thalianhall.org/
calendar for more information and for the Cinematique film schedule.
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
1941 Amphitheatre Dr., Wilmington
June 29 — The Stews
July 5-7 — Michael Franti & Spearhead
July 11 — flipturn
July 13 — Big Something with SUSTO + Krispee Biscuits
July 14 — The Disco Biscuits
July 16 — The Flaming Lips
July 17 — Flatland Cavalry
July 19 — DISPATCH: Summer Stops
July 20 — Ben Folds
July 23 — Steel Pulse
July 30 — Fitz and the Tantrums
July 31 — The Head and The Heart
Aug 7 — Greensky Bluegrass
Aug 9 — Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
Aug 10 — Andy Frasco
Aug 11 — Maren Morris - RSVP Redux Tour
Visit https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZ917A2qV/greenfield-lake-amphitheater-events for tickets.
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan St., Wilmington
June 29 — Cole Swindell: Win the Night Tour 2024
July 26 — Iration and Pepper with Special Guests DENM and Artikal Sound System
July 27 — Slightly Stoopid & Dirty Heads with Common Kings, The Elovaters
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar 1175 Turlington Avenue, Leland (Music is 7-10 pm)
June 28 — Patrick Bliss
June 29 — Oysters & Octane Cruise In event
July 12 — Sky Parlor Band
July 13 — Killing Time
July 19 — Jam Sandwich
July 20 — Miles Atlas
July 26 — Rose Rebellion Band (and the 4th Friday Market)
July 27 — Oysters & Octane Cruise-In with The Ford Project
Aug 2 — Patrick Bliss
Aug 3 — Flashback Band
Leland Brewing Co. 2115 Ale Avenue, Leland
June 28 — Generations, 5-8 pm
June 29 — Aaron Van Nynatten
July 5 — Tom Graney, 5-8 pm
July 6 — Ziggy Bear Band, 5-7 pm
July 12 — Beth Manning, 6-9 pm
July 13 — The Flying Flamingoes, 5-8 pm
July 19 — Canaan James, 6-9 pm
July 20 — True South, 6-9 pm
July 26 — Chris Nash, 6-9 pm
July 27 — School of Rock, 6-9 pm
Aug 2 — Richard Klein, 6-9 pm
Aug 3 — Aaron Michael, 5-8 pm
Aug 9 — Burdette Duo, 6-9 pm
BEER AND WINE
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar 1175 Turlington Ave, Suite 101, Leland
Full menu featuring seafood — also hosting live music with seating inside and outside.
Local’s Tavern 1107 New Pointe Blvd., Leland
Live music, karaoke, great food, special events and a great neighborhood vibe. All the football games showing on Sundays.
Bridgewater Wines
1132 New Pointe Blvd., Leland
Food and wine, including free wine tastings. Enjoy Tuesday trivia, wine tastings on Thirsty Thursdays, Wine Down Fridays and Sipping Saturdays.
Blossoms Restaurant (Magnolia Greens)
1800 Tommy Jacobs Dr.
Reservations are encouraged; call 910-383-0998. Check Facebook for drink and food deals and special events.
Brunswick Beer Xchange Co.
113 Village Road, Leland
Board games, live music and open mic nights, Bunko games on Mondays, open mic comedy night on Wednesdays, trivia and food trucks on Thursdays, and tastings.
Brunswick Beer and Cidery
1313 S. Dickenson dr., Leland
Leland’s first brewery and cidery! Full menu also available
Leland Brewing Company
2115 Ale Ave, Leland
Enjoy a wide variety of beers brewed right on site. Check their Facebook page for upates and food truck visits
Scapegoat Taproom
2789 Compass Pointe South Wynd NE, Unit 4, Leland
This taproom has more than 40 beers and ciders to choose from, and plenty of wines too, all with a great neighborhood vibe, live music, and food truck appearances. Enjoy college football Saturdays and pro football on Sundays.
LA Times
2851 Maco Rd NE, Leland
Two bars, two patios, arcade games, pool tables, corn hole, cigars, and a great time with great people
Brodee Dogs Brew House
103 A Village Road, Leland
Dogs and burgers with delicious toppings, including a special house sauce, craft beers, and live music.
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!
Community Breaking Barriers
Leland American Legion’s New Commander
STORY BY BEX HELTON, AMERICAN LEGION POST 68
Bea Frost, the daughter of a WWII Army Veteran, was called to a life of service from an early age. It was 1971, the Vietnam Conflict dragged on, and only 1.5 percent of Air Force personnel were women. Bea felt compelled to enlist as her brothers had — one in the Army and one in the Air Force. While Sergeant Bea Ayo did not deploy to Vietnam, she utilized her education in Accounting and Business to provide support as a Military Payroll Clerk in the DC metro area. Bea’s singular act of enlistment forever placed her among the elite class of women to shatter the Armed Services glass ceiling, thus enabling females access to military employment.
As a mother of two daughters, Bea was a role model, and a living example of what women could achieve. Her commitment to the Air Force was only the beginning of her journey. After her service, she dedicated herself to community work and lifelong volunteerism. Her pivotal roles as a Director of Volunteer Development with the Girl Scouts of New Jersey and as a Regional Volunteer Coordinator for the American Red Cross were a testament to her dedication and the positive impact she had on her community. Her varied volunteer activities with her family further underscored her strong desire to give back and inspire a service-oriented life in her children.
In 2019, Bea retired from the Red Cross and moved to Leland with her
husband, Joe, also an Air Force Veteran. She and Joe looked forward to spending time with their daughters and grandchildren. However, retirement did not diminish Bea’s commitment to the community that had dominated her values for years. She knew almost immediately that this thread of commitment would continue during the next chapter of her life, and she began to seek opportunities to enrich her new community. Bea now volunteers with the Battleship of North Carolina’s educational program “Battleship 101.” She is also a member of the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68, where she is now poised to be its first female Commander.
Bea speaks excitedly about enhancing key areas of Legion membership,
citing a need for expanded diversity and increased involvement of women, who now comprise approximately 19 percent of military personnel. She describes herself as outspoken, with a questioning personality, and hopes that during her tenure, the Post will grow to meet the community’s needs strategically. To this end, Bea will like-
ly serve as an internal and external change agent. Her eyes light up as she describes wanting to unite the Post’s 200-plus members through team development, empowerment, and process organization. Bea feels this will lead to a cohesive message and increased responsiveness from members to other veterans and the community at large. At the same time, Bea sees a need within the community to coordinate volunteer services among its many civic and charitable organizations. She hopes to work with community leaders to facilitate better access to and from volunteers of various services. With solid volunteer development and coordination skills, Bea Frost may likely be the woman to transform a community!
For additional information regarding the John E. Jacobs, American Legion Post 68, please visit their website at www.ncpost68.org
