October 2023 Leland Magazine

It’s Fall, Y’all!

Jeffrey Stites

editor@lelandmag.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Lisa P. Stites

lisa@southportmag.com

LEAD DESIGNER

Liz Brinker

lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING

Chuck and Sue Cothran

Carla Edstrom

Jan Morgan-Swegle

Joe Jancsurak

Lisa P. Stites

Jeffrey Stites

PUBLISHER

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@southportmag.com

910-471-7741 CONSULTANT

Kris Beasley

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love when the weather turns a bit cooler, when we can cheer for our favorite football team (Penn State Nittany Lions for us), and when we have so many fun events to attend! It’s that time of year when Jeffrey and I sometimes have to divide and conquer so that we can get lots of pictures to use for next year’s preview articles. We’ve got some great festivals coming up in this part of County — Belville’s Fall Festival on Oct. 7, Leland’s Bluegrass, Bowls and Baskets on Oct. 20 and Belville’s Bands, Brews and BBQ on Oct. 21. Take in a movie in the park in Leland, help raise funds for a good cause with the Buddy Walk on Oct 14, or try out a guided kayak tour now that the mosquitoes are hopefully gone. There’s the monthly gallery reception at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, a couple of trunk or treat events for the kiddos, and so much more! Fall is also that time of year when we can embrace everything pumpkin spice, and around here, we spice our pumpkins by blowing them up! Keep those decorative pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns around and check out The Great Pumpkin Blowout at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson on Nov 4. Whatever you decide to do, get out there in the cooler air and have fun! — Lisa

Our region’s most experienced Urological Robotic Surgeon, Dr. Roc A. McCarthy, and team, are with Advanced Urology in Leland, NC!

From utilizing the latest in urological cancer diagnostics, such as MRI fusion biopsies, to the DaVinci Xi surgical robot, patients are provided the best technology in a very caring and compassionate environment.

Community

Rec Dept Turns 15

Celebrating The Leland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department’s Anniversary

STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE

Have you ever taken your children to the Egg Hunt in Founders Park? How about Breakfast With Santa? Have you enjoyed the Lights in Leland? What about seeing a Movie in the Park? Have you ever taken an art program in one of the parks or taken a dance class at the Leland Cultural Arts Center? Have you signed up for pottery or woven baskets classes? If the answer is yes, you can thank the Town of Leland ’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department for the experience.

This fall is the 15th birthday of the Leland Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department, an entity that plays a very important part in the community.

In 2008, the Leland Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources department started with one employee. It now has 12 full time staff members, four parks, and one building. Each year, the department coordinates approximately 55 events and more than 500 programs. The department, under the direction of Wyatt Richardson, Community Enrichment Direc-

tor, strives to present a diverse compliment of programs and classes to the residents of Leland.

You can always tell when someone loves what they do for a living because they do it well and Wyatt Richardson is no exception. He has been with the Town of Leland for five and a half years and says that he is in the “best profession there is.”

“I was always an outside kid, he continued, “I grew up visiting parks, hiking and being outside. I got a job and started out on the maintenance side of the department — it was just a job. Then my mentor showed me what the job could be. He opened my eyes to possibilities and showed me that I could make a difference in the community and that’s what I’ve been doing in this role. I absolutely love what I do. I live the parks and recreation life style. My family and I do Ju Jitsu together. I do road cycling, hiking, fishing and I run marathons.”

What Richardson does is connect with the community as a whole.

“As the town grows, my department is doing a lot of planning, acquiring and developing land for parks and open space for future generations, like Sturgeon Creek, Sweet Bay Park and Loblolly Park. We’ve got a plan for development for Sturgeon Creek that includes a partnership with the

state of North Carolina that will provide a wildlife program so we can enjoy the water and nature around us. Sweet Bay Park is 11 acres near I–140 and Windsor Park. Loblolly Park is 32 acres near Kay Todd Road in Brunswick Forest. I would really love for the residents of Leland to come to future planning meetings and tell us what they want in these areas,” Richardson said.

Founders Park, located at 113 Town Hall Drive, is a primary focus of the department. The park, which opened in 2004, was award-

ed the NC PARTF grant to provide funding for park renovations along with a Connect Grant from FOCUS Broadband that will, in part, be used to upgrade park security and enhance Wi-Fi.

“Construction starts in October and residents will see a new splash pad area, picnic shelter, new playground equipment, an amphitheater and more walking trails,” Richardson said. “A Veteran’s Memorial is also planned that will recognize all branches of the service as well as a small plaza area, and adjacent to the Town Hall there will be fitness stations. Health and fitness is so important to all of us. The fitness stations will have ADA approved bench press pull up bars. We want something for everyone.”

The Leland Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources department is all about building programs, events and facilities that are geared to family friendly, leisure activities. They blend the beauty of nature in this area with fun and unusual events that create memories for all.

My personal favorite part of what this group provides is the Leland Cultural Arts Center. If you look up the definition of the word “culture” the Oxford dictionary will tell you that it means, “The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement, regarded collectively.” Or, “The customs, arts, social institutions and achievements of a particular nature, people or social group.”

I like the part about intellectual achievement in that definition because to me it covers a wide variety of ideas. Ideas that impact or improve the lives of others are vital to us and our children. We can survive with the basics of life—food and shelter, but we thrive with ideas that come to life and make us appreciate what we have around us.

Since 2015, the Leland Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) has provided space for creative workshops, a variety of programs for children and adults, and memorable performances by local artists and those known nationwide.

Wyatt said the programs at the LCAC have proven popular. “People love our art classes. Our pottery and wheel classes are really popular. But then, so are our music classes. Our compliment of instructors enables us to offer not only piano, violin and guitar, but we also offer tap dancing and jazz. Then, there’s photography. We also have a wonderful ‘healing arts’ selection of yoga, balance and movement and Tai Chi,” he said.

Looking for something to do in October?

(l-r) Wyatt Richardson, Jessica Draughn, Amy Wells, Tim McNeilly, Jacob Herrmann, Zoey LeTendre, Alison Fore

Jeff Bell, Custodian of LCAC

On Friday, Oct. 20, from 6 to 8 pm, come out for Bluegrass, Bowls & Baskets, a free event at LCAC that celebrates local potters and weavers. You’ll be able to listen to bluegrass music performed by Masonboro Sound while sampling competing dishes from the Leland Police and Fire Departments’ chili cookoff. You can even vote for your favorite by donating a non-perishable food item.

And, Trunk or Treat is back! This year, head over to Brunswick Town Center on East Cutlar Crossing on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 6 pm.

Finally, Wyatt said, “If you enjoy what we offer, tell your neighbors, tell your friends. Word of mouth drives engagement and so do good recommendations. Come to the parks board meetings — see the Town of Leland website for dates — so we know what type of programs you want us to develop.”

The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department has given the residents of Leland much more than just a walk in the park. They have provided a life style that brings art, nature and culture to our town. Get out and enjoy live music or art exhibits from award winning artists. Learn to Contra Dance. Enjoy everything that Leland has to offer. Celebrate the 15th year of the achievements of this remarkable entity and everything that they bring us.

Artist Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Once you take a class, attend a performance at LCAC or watch nature in one of Leland’s parks, I think you will understand what he meant.

Wyatt said, “Look no further!”

History On The Water

Take An Adventure Kayak Company Tour

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PATRICIA LANGER

The Adventure Begins

Adventure Kayak Company was founded by owner Emma Thomas 23 years ago. With a background in Parks and Recreation and a love of the outdoors, she pivoted into business ownership by purchasing 12 kayaks and a trailer. Emma decided to give her plan a try for one year. Needless to say, it was a good year! As kayaking became

increasingly popular with outdoor enthusiasts, Emma’s business grew alongside the trend. Today, Adventure Kayak has a large fleet of kayaks and employs eight part-time guides who run kayak tours several times a week, from March through December. In the off months, Emma plans kayak trips to warmer locations.

Adventure Kayak has something for everyone, whether you are a beginner looking

to test the waters, or an advanced kayaker looking to explore more difficult locations.

“I took these tours to see if kayaking would be something I would enjoy as a pastime,” said Steve Montgomery, an Oak Island resident on his second tour with Adventure Kayak.

The great thing about taking a guided tour as a beginner, Emma says, is that the guides are knowledgeable about the water they take kayakers into.

“They know where to go, what to look for, and what to avoid. Guides can cater tours to the experience level of their customers.”

Emma went on to explain how the diversity of environments in our part of North Carolina make it possible to offer tours with many different feels to them. Whether you prefer to be floating through the woods on a freshwater stream or exploring the tall grasses of a salt marsh, Adventure

In perhaps my favorite assignment to date for Southport Magazine, I was excited to participate in a “Historical Kayak Tour of Rice Creek” offered through the Adventure Kayak Company of Southport. It was a terrific way to spend a cool September morning, paddling along a gentle, forest-lined waterway while learning a bit of local history from guest speaker Bob Surridge of the Southport Historical Society.

Kayak has a tour for that. And you never know what you’ll see on the water.

“Every day can be so different,” Emma said. “I enjoy the peace, serenity, and calm that nature provides; it’s a totally different perspective.

And I am always in awe of what shows up!”

In addition to the Rice Creek tour, Adventure Kayak runs regular tours on Town Creek in Winnabow, the Davis Canal in Oak Island, and tours to Sheep’s Island and Montgomery Slough (both at the west end of Oak Island). The company will also do private tours for small groups. And coming soon, Emma will add Kayak Yoga trips, where people can kayak over to an island, then participate in a yoga class on land.

“It’s another way to connect with nature,” said Emma, once again tapping into a popular wellness trend.

Adventure Kayak also offers bike tours in Southport about once a month, for those who prefer to remain on dry land.

Rice Creek – A Natural Beauty

Rice Creek is a tributary of the Cape Fear River that runs into Town Creek to the north and Morris Creek to the south. It is a wide, slow moving, black water creek that winds its way through an undeveloped forest of cypress, beech, and pine trees. Much of the forest is part of a nature conservancy and remains unspoiled. The waterway itself, which is monitored by the NC Wildlife Commission, is calm enough for beginners, while the scenic wilderness makes it an enjoyable paddle for all levels.

Our access site was a public boat ramp located at 797 Gordon Lewis Drive, SE in Winnabow, not far off U.S. 17. Our tour took us to the right from the launch site, along a narrower stretch that flows toward Mill Creek; heading left is a wider route that leads to Town Creek.

Before hitting the water, we were given a brief safety lesson on things like how to properly adjust your lifejacket and how to get in and out of a kayak without falling into the water. Although most of the group had kayaked before, we appreciated some basic paddling tips:

“Reach past your toes with the paddle, then pull like a knife spreading peanut butter, not like an ice cream scoop” Emma demonstrated. She also advised us to “look out and up” to spot wildlife, including turtles, owls, pileated woodpeckers, herons and ibis.

“And avoid low hanging limbs.”

At that point, I felt my nerves begin to rattle. Despite my love of nature, I was really, really worried about snakes falling out

of tree branches or alligators bumping into my kayak. Feeling anxious, I expressed my fear to our guides.

“In 23 years doing these tours, I have only seen snakes twice, and they did not drop onto any kayaks. And we hardly ever see alligators.”

I was relieved, until she continued:

“We tell kayakers not to paddle under the trees here mostly because there can be wasp nests.”

Huh.

But there was no need to worry, for even the narrow stretches of Rice Creek are wide enough to avoid low-hanging limbs. I did not encounter any snakes, alligators, or even wasps. I did see a very cute yellow-bellied turtle sunning himself on a log, a few splashing fish, several different bird species, and lots of beautiful dragonflies. We learned from Emma that dragonflies are the only insect that can fly forward, backward, up and down. Their amazing aeronautical skills were actually studied in the development of the federal government’s Osprey helicopter.

Both Emma and our other guide, Vicky Muffley, offered interesting insights along our route. Vicky, who has been with Adventure Kayak for a few years, said she loves being on the water and sharing the beauty of nature with so many people.

“It’s great to see all the positive reactions people have when they come here. And it’s not a bad day at the office!” she joked.

Adventure Kayak limits the size of the tour groups so that every-

one can hear the guides, as they share facts about the wildlife, the water, the local plant life and trees. Cypress trees are the highlight of the Rice Creek tour. Tall and imposing, many of the cypress trees lining this creek are hundreds of years old. We learned that cypress trees release tannins into the water, which accounts for its dark brown color. The tannins also repel bugs and mosquitoes, which I wish I had known before I doused myself in Deep Woods Off! We also learned that cypress trees have “knees,” or knobby shoots that form around the trunk to provide extra oxygen to the tree.

I was surprised to hear that the Spanish Moss hanging from the cypress branches is not actually moss; it’s an air plant that does not take any nutrients from the trees. Back in the early days of automobile production, the Ford Company used Spanish moss in the cushions of its first cars, until there was an incident with bugs, resulting in the first auto recall!

As knowledgeable as our guides where, they were often quiet, letting us hear the sounds of birds chirping in the trees, crickets humming in the grasses, fish plopping to the surface, and paddles gently stroking the water. Floating along effortlessly, we were treated to the visual delights of early morning sunlight sparkling like diamonds on the water and puffy white clouds floating across a Carolina blue sky, set off by the lush greenery of the forest.

Floating History Class

In a nifty add-on arranged by Adventure Kayak Co, Bob Surridge, VP of the Southport Historical Society, joined our tour to provide a lesson on the “Royal Governors of NC.”

As our group reached a wide clearing after about 30 minutes of paddling, Emma instructed us to form a semi-circle in order to hear Surridge speak. The first thing I learned was that it’s incredibly hard to keep a kayak stationary in moving water! I had to suppress my giggles watching everyone (myself included) try to look inconspicuous while struggling to keep from floating backward or sideways or under a branch!

During the reign of King Charles II (The Merry Monarch), Surridge began, land grants in America were given to eight of the wealthiest and most influential men in England, resulting in the Carolina Charter of 1663. The new colonies were ruled by

“Lord Proprietors.” Years later, during the reign of King George II in 1729, these American colonies were “royalized” and henceforth ruled by men called “Royal Governors.” While required to pledge full allegiance to the King of England, their salaries were dependent on the colonial assemblies, which as we know in hindsight, created an impossible conflict of interest.

George Burrington was both a “propriety Governor” in North Carolina and then its first “Royal Governor.” He was equally unpopular in both roles. In 1733 Burrington was replaced by his most vocal detractor, Nathaniel Rice (of Rice Creek fame), who served as interim governor until Gabriel Johnston (of Fort Johnston fame) was appointed in 1734. In all, North Carolina had five Royal Governors until the Revolutionary War ended England’s sovereignty.

Listening to Surridge’s story while floating in this beautiful, undisturbed natural setting, I felt as if I had paddled back in time. I can honestly say that I never enjoyed a history lesson so much!

“I enjoy learning the histories of different places and I wanted to take another paddle. This tour was a perfect combination,” fellow paddler Steve Montgomery said.

All Good Things Must Come to an End …. Just Not Yet!

Our tour was scheduled to be 1.5 hours, but we lingered on the water a while longer, as no one was ready for the trip to end. There was something so peaceful, so calming about this place. So different from the wide-open sandy beaches of Oak Island or the bustling streets of Southport. We had paddled just a few miles, but with Emma and Bob, we were transported to another world and another time.

Montgomery echoed my sentiments, saying, “I am always amazed that you can be near a busy highway and still feel lost in nature. “

Adventure Kayak’s next “Paddle Through History” tour will take kayakers to Sheep’s Island on Oct. 25 at 10 am. To see a full schedule of weekly tours, visit www.adventurecompany.net, or call 910-454-0607.

Brunswick Town Fun

Walk Back In Time And Blow Stuff Up

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

Whileit’s in our opinion the prettiest property in Brunswick County all of the time, fall is an especially great time to visit the Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson State Historic Site just off Route 133 at 8884 St. Philip’s Rd SE. Two of our favorite annual events are on the near horizon and well worth the drive to check out.

On Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 am to 4 pm, Brunswick Town will come alive as volunteers turn back the clock to show what the town would have been like in fall of 1767.

“There will be around 18 stations set up where people can walk the path outside, interact with the different interpreters, and ask questions,” said Assistant Site Manager Makayla Coley.

There’s even something special for

the children! “We will also have a ‘passport’ available for kids where they can go around and ask the interpreters questions. They write down the answer and bring their book back for a small prize,” Coley said.

Stations will include such colonial-era activities and subjects as crime and punishment, colonial toys and games, naval stores, candles, indigo dying, blacksmithing, medicine, baking, wreath making, pottery, and maybe even a dentist.

“It really is like stepping back in time,” Coley said.

And then, on Nov. 4, the Saturday after Halloween, is our very most favorite event anywhere during the fall season, The Great Pumpkin Blowout! Beginning

COMMUNITY

at 11 am and running util 4 pm, visitors can use a Civil War era detonator to blow up a pumpkin with black powder. You just have no idea until you do it how satisfying that is.

The site will have limited supply of pumpkins for sale, but it’s best to bring your own, whether it’s a jack-o-lantern from Halloween or a new, pristine pumpkin bought just for the explosive fun. For just a $10 donation per pumpkin, you’ll get to wind a little handle to charge the detonator then push the button that blows your gourd to smithereens.

Coley has some advice for getting the best blowout pumpkin. “Pie Pumpkins that have not been carved. They have a nice little blast!”

You can pay your $10 fee onsite or buy a ticket for your pumpkin at https:// friends-of-brunswick-townfort-anderson.square.site/upcoming-events

Big Toy Day Rolls In

Get Up Close To Trucks, Planes and More

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Vehicles

of all varieties will roll into the Cape Fear Regional Jetport Saturday, Oct. 14 for Big Toy Day, a family-friendly event hosted annually by the Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island. The popular event, which will be held from 10 am to 3 pm, gives children of all ages an opportunity to climb aboard a variety of motorized vehicles, including firetrucks, ambulances, and military and law enforcement vehicles. There will also be planes, helicopters, water rescue boats, and various other “toys” of interest. A coordinated blowing of horns and sirens will close the day’s activities.

More than 1,500 children and their families attended last year’s event, which one young attendee described as “the best day ever!” Children typically leave with trinkets distributed by the generous volunteers that accompany the vehicles. Bounce houses and food vendors will also be on site.

A highlight for children ages 8-17 will be free airplane rides between 10:30 am and 1 pm, courtesy of the aviation group EAA Chapter 939. Dubbed Young Eagle Flights, they will be offered on a first come, first served basis, and will require written approval by a parent or legal guardian who is present. In most cases, grandparents do not qualify as legal guardians.

“Kids love Big Toy Day,” said event chairman George Bayless. “They get to see and touch ‘big machines’ that they wouldn’t normally get to climb aboard. It’s always a memorable day for them, and a fun family outing for all.”

Admission and parking are free, however, a $10 per car donation would be welcomed. Contributions received from this event will support a variety of youth programs in Brunswick County, including Royal Readers, Terrific Kids, Builders Club, and Key Club. The proceeds will also fund scholarships for deserving Brunswick County high school seniors and Brunswick Community College students.

Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island is dedicated to serving the children of Brunswick County through service, education, guidance, and leadership. The club supports numerous programs in the county’s elementary, middle, and high schools designed to instill a life-long commitment to service and to develop the skills necessary to become community leaders. The organization also supports projects like Matthew’s Ministry, the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine initiative, First Tee, and local food pantries through a Giving Garden.

“We believe in children and want to provide all kids with an opportunity to thrive, prosper and grow,” said Kathleen Bradcovich, president of Southport – Oak Island Kiwanis. “We’re a global organization, but we’re dedicated to improving the world

We work hard, so you don’t have to!

Safe Plates Classes Training Available For Food Service Pros

STORY CONTRIBUTED NC

Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County is offering the NC Safe Plates course to promote food safety at the food service level. Food safety is the safeguarding or protection of food from anything that could harm consumers’ health. This comprehensive course is appropriate for food service managers and supervisory staff in restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare facilities, and other food-handling establishments.

m to 4 pm and on Oct. 30 from 9 am to 2 pm. The classes will be held at the 2nd floor meeting room of the David Sandifer Building, 30 Government Center Drive at the Government Complex in Bolivia. This two-day training is recommended for those who are new to food service or have not taken a certification exam before. It is recommended, but not required, that participants attend both days. The Food Safety Manager Certification Exam will be given at 2:30 pm on Oct. 30. The registration fee

is $125 per person. This includes all instruction, materials and the exam. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snacks and beverages.

NC Safe Plates is a new food safety certification course developed by North Carolina State University. Safe Plates for Food Managers is different than other food safety manager training because it is taught through case studies, storytelling, activities and discussion. This class is interactive and

LOCAL, FRESH, CREATIVE

Come and treat yourself to beautiful food and hand crafted cocktails. It’s always a great day to celebrate at Southern.

OPEN FOR DINNER 5 NIGHTS TUES.- SAT. 4:30-9PM BY RESERVATION ONLY for reservations and menus: southernagatheringplace.com 105 E BROWN ST. SOUTHPORT • 910-931-0786

Closed Sunday and Monday beginning October

encourages participants to engage with the material. Safe Plates for Food Safety Managers training is also available virtually from NC Cooperative Extension and NC State University.

Food service managers successfully completing the exam will meet the 2023 FDA Food Code requirement for an ANSI (American National Standards Institution) approved Certified Food Protection Manager. Managers will receive a certificate to display in their operation which will verify to the local Environmental Health Department that they are in compliance. A certified person in charge (PIC) should be present at all times the establishment is in operation.

Instructors for the class will be Cheryle Jones Syracuse and Avery Ashley, both are Family and Consumer Science Team Members with NC Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County. Staff members from the Brunswick County Environmental Health will also be on-hand to answer questions.

The class will be taught in English

and the book and handout materials are available in English only. The Food Safety Manager Certification test is available in English, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish.

For more information or to register, contact Avery Ashley at the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension 910-253-2610. Checks should be made out to Brunswick County Cooperative Extension and mailed to PO Box # 109, Bolivia, NC 28422. It is recommended that participants pay in-person at the office in Bolivia and pick up books and study materials before the class. Pre-registration is required. Seating is limited to the first 30 registered. Credit cards are not accepted.

BLUEGRASS Bowls & Baskets

FRIDAY, OCT 20

Donate Canned Goods to Vote

*Donations will benefit Manna Ministries

Enjoy FREE live music by Masonbooro Sound and homemade chili made by the Town of Leland’s Police and Fire Departments. Bring canned goods to vote for your favorite chili. At the end of the night one department will be deemed the 2023 Chili Champions!

Don’t forget to support local artisans by buying bowls and baskets from local potters and basket weavers.

PM

Community

Eliminating Polio

The Importance Of Worldwide Eradication

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Like most people born since the 1960s, I thought polio was gone. We don’t have polio in the United States, so why worry about it? Does this sound familiar? People born in the 1960s are the last to encounter the devastating impact of polio in the U.S. It was shocking to learn that some polio “survivors” spent their lives in an iron lung. If you’ve never seen one of those contraptions, your mind can’t do it justice. I didn’t know what a “crawler” was until a Rotarian told me stories after returning from an immunization trip. Children in other countries that didn’t have the same access to medical treatments ended up with deformed and crippled legs and had to pull themselves across the ground to go anywhere.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disabling and potentially deadly disease caused by the poliovirus. This virus causes paralysis in different parts of the body. This is how wheelchairs, leg braces and iron lungs come into play. Not only can it be crippling, but it may also cause a person to be unable to breathe on his own. Polio outbreaks in the 1940s and early 1950s caused thousands of cases of paralysis, disability, and death. With the invention of the polio vaccine, polio was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1990s.

There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented with safe and effective vaccination. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is the only polio vaccine that has been given in the United States since 2000. It is given by a shot in the arm or leg, depending on the person’s age.

If you grew up in the U.S. in the 1970s or later, you probably got the polio vaccine. Since the vaccine was approved in the mid-1950s, polio vaccines have been part of routine childhood immunizations in the U.S. If you were vaccinated as a child, polio was probably one of the vac-

Walk-a-Thon Info

Rotary members in Rotary District 7730 will host a 24-hour Walka-thon for Polio at Miracle Field in Olsen Park, 5510 Olsen Park Ln, Wilmington beginning at 6 pm on Friday, Oct. 20 and ending at 6 pm on Saturday, Oct. 21 to raise awareness and funds to support the eradication of polio — a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.

cines you received.

The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) was used in the US previously and is still today used in other countries. There are two main forms of polio – wild virus and vaccine-derived. Even though the wild virus isn’t in the U.S., someone that received the OPV vaccine (elsewhere) could still spread polio - possibly to someone traveling, and send it back to the U.S.

Did you know that there is not a federal mandate for polio vaccines in the U.S.? To attend public schools and daycares, the polio vaccine is one of the required immunizations determined by state laws but there are also exemptions. In today’s anti-vax climate, we remain vulnerable in the U.S. until Polio is eradicated.

As of now, polio is only a plane ride away. Think about that …. remember how quickly Covid spread?

America’s last outbreak of polio was in 1979. However, polio appeared in an unvaccinated person in New York in July 2022. This person had travelled out of the country and appeared to have been exposed during his travels. In August 2022, it was discovered in New York City’s

wastewater.

Because polio is highly contagious, even just one case could potentially cause an outbreak, especially among unvaccinated people. We don’t know how long protection from the polio vaccine lasts but evidence suggests that it offers protection for decades. There is no national vaccination database in the U.S., so you must research your own medical records since birth to find out if you received a polio vaccine.

You do not need to be a Rotarian to participate. Participants obtain pledges based on per hour walking and can can walk at the live event or their own location by joining the even virtually. For more information or to participate, visit https://go.dojiggy.io/polio24 nations, and advocacy efforts. At the end of the 1980s, more than 350,000 children were paralyzed by polio every year. Today, Rotary and its partners have reduced the incidence of polio by 99.9 percent. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. Until we see the last of the poliovirus, eradication efforts need additional funding to immunize more than 400 million children against polio each year, improve disease surveillance systems to improve detection, and hire more than 150,000 health workers to go door-to-door to find every child.

Experts seem to agree – growing pockets of unvaccinated children are raising concerns that people may have forgotten or never knew the panic over this disease and how easily it could return.

Rotary was the first organization to push for a polio-free world and has stayed steadfast in fundraising, vacci-

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matches every dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication 2-to-1, up to $50 million per year. With partners like them, how can Rotary fail?

YACHT FINDERS

Sex & The Civil War

Civil War Roundtable Women’s Forum

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Renowned local historian, author, and popular guest speaker

Chris Fonvielle will join the Civil War Ladies’ Forum at its annual meeting on Monday, Oct. 30 to explore a most interesting subject rarely discussed at Civil War presentations —“Sex in the Civil War.” His presentation five years ago was so popular that Chris returns by popular demand with his most recent version. The meeting will be held in Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport, across from the Southport Post Office. The program begins at 6 pm.

Sex in the Civil War was a complex and varied topic. The experiences of soldiers and civilians, men and women, white and black, varied greatly depending on their circumstances. For soldiers, sex was often a way to relieve stress and boredom. It could happen between comrades, with prostitutes, or with women they met while on leave. However, it was a risky activity, possibly leading to transmitted diseases or even death.

For civilians, sex was often seen as a way to maintain normalcy in the midst of chaos. However, it could also be difficult to find privacy or time for intimacy, especially for women who were left to care for children and elderly relatives. The issue of sex was further complicated by the fact that the Civil War was fought over the issue of slavery. Some white soldiers saw black women as sexual objects, while others believed that they should be treated with respect. Black women, for their part, often had to negotiate the difficult balance of asserting their own sexuality while also avoiding exploitation.

Ultimately, sex in the Civil War was a reflection of the complex and extraordinary nature of the war itself. It was a time

of great upheaval and change, and it is no surprise that sexuality was also affected. For these reasons, Chris’s presentation will leave his audience enlightened and bewildered.

Chris received his B.A. at UNCW, his M.A. at East Carolina University, and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, making him a Seahawk, a Pirate, and a Gamecock! Upon his retirement from UNCW in 2018, Chris was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for distinguished service to the State of North Carolina. He is a regular history tour guide for Wilmington Water Tours.

The Forum cordially invites all the ladies to attend. Refreshments will be served and door prizes awarded. The guest fee is $5, and can be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues to the Brunswick Civil War Round Table. There is no fee for current members. For more information about the meeting, please contact Charen Fink at (330) 5072773, or email her at dcftandm@hotmail. com. You can also learn more about the Ladies’ Forum by going to the Brunswick Civil War Round Table website at Brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com.

Art Beat Pottery Educator

A Tribute To Southport’s Kimberly Caroon

STORY BY CARLA EDSTROM PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Everyonewho knows anything about the Southport pottery community and the Brunswick Community College Pottery Program on Lord Street Campus has heard of or knows Kimberly Smittle Caroon. Kimberly taught pottery classes here in Southport for the past 30 years until a few months ago when she retired. Over the years, she has had an unprecedented 1,500 students enter her studios. Without her hard work and tenacity, we would not have the large clay community we have now.

Since she retired, I have reflected on what I learned from her as a potter and instructor. She was the first pottery instructor I had when I got to Southport in 2006. The biggest thing I learned from her is to do what I love. It was always evident to those around her that Kimberly loved teaching, making her art, bringing her attention to detail, and encourag-

ing her students. We miss her smile and laugh at the Brunswick Community College pottery studios. And we are also so grateful for all she did in forming and teaching our community.

Below is an excerpt of the Southport Magazine article I wrote about Kimberly 5 years ago. If you had her as an instructor, I encourage you to drop her a note. You can email me directly at carlaedstrom@ gmail.com, and I will be sure she receives it.

‘The Southport pottery classes started in the old building behind Franklin Square Gallery by the city gym over 45 years ago. I first walked into that old building in 2006 and met Kimberly Smittle Caroon there. She has been a teacher through BCC for 25 years, moving with the program three years ago to the Lord Street campus. Caroon is a fabulous artist in her own right, with many awards to her name and over 1,500 students in her career.

“I was born in Ohio, we moved around a lot be-

cause my father was climbing the ladder in the education system,” said Caroon. “We moved approximately every three to four years. I did not like moving so often, however, it taught me how to make friends quickly. We lived outside the Chicago area during my high school years. Then back to Ohio. While I was in Cleveland Heights, waiting to go to Ohio State University I took some art classes at the local high school,” she said.

She has been a full-time local resident for 26 years, although her family has visited the area since childhood. “I always knew I would live around the Southport area, “she said. “My parents built a house at the beach about 50 years ago. So this is always been home. When I was in elementary school, my father was the superintendent in Elyria, Ohio,” she said. “His art director happens to have a house here at Long Beach. Because they were golfing buddies, the art director invited us to the beach so he and my dad could play golf. I was only 7 years old the first time we came to the beach. I immediately fell in love with the art director’s wife, who we called Aunt Jenny. She and I made a connection, and because her husband had a studio in their basement in Ohio, I got to make my first coil pot during a sleepover. I was so involved with that pot she had a hard time calling me up for lunch.”

Caroon says things were much different in the Southport area 50 years ago. “Back then, not only were there no stop lights, there were no stop signs,” she said. “There were wild boar, bobcats, and practically no houses on what was called Long Beach. But as kids, we didn’t care; we had a rowboat (our paddles were two by fours) and paddled around Davis Canal. Slid down yellow banks. And spent so much time in the ocean, I’m surprised we were not attacked by sharks!”

Caroon credits her mother as her role model and artistic inspiration. “My mother Drusilla Smittle is an excellent painter; I grew up watching her create gorgeous paintings.” says Caroon. “I feel like I was born an artist,” says Caroon. “At least I was groomed to believe that and it’s stuck! Fortunately, while growing up, I was

surrounded by all forms of art,” she explained.

“When I graduated from Ohio State and my parents offered me a job that paid a lot more than being an art teacher. So I took the higher-paying job and had a studio built in my backyard. But I wanted more, including children, and I was lucky enough to have girl, boy twins- Skylyn and Cash.”

According to Caroon, there is no better art medium than Clay because it is so versatile, and the ideas and possibilities are limitless. “With Clay, you can sculpt, throw on the wheel, carve, and paint beautiful scenes on your Clay. You can pinch, pull, and coil. It is so cool to take something Mother Nature made (Clay) and make art from it. Whether functional or a piece of art to look at in awe, or both!” Caroon’s clay work is very sleek and beautifully finished, and her style is timeless and recognizable. She puts a lot of time and love into each piece of pottery she makes.

Although Caroon has taught many different projects to students over the years, her favorite was the class projects she would assign. “We used to have a show at Franklin Square Art Gallery and I assigned a project,” explained Caroon. “We have done everything from shoes, teapots, miniature art, African masks, purses, body parts, and place settings. The best one was totem poles. Each class had to create their own totem pole, which meant they had to come together as a team and agree on measurements and how to make the totem pole be one.”

Veteran Dental Care

At Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry will once again host a Freedom Day event in support of our military. On Wednesday Oct. 11, Drs. Aaron Wilharm, Darren Harrington, Matt Miller, Greg Hohl, Mark Dobransky, Courtney Strubin, Timothy Hoover, Cecilia Liu and Nichole Ramsbottom and their staff will provide free dental care for active military, their families and veterans by appointment at the Bolivia, 3701 Southport-Supply Road, and Oak Island, 8212 E. Oak Island Drive, locations. Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry will provide a FREE cleaning, filling, OR extraction. Services are by appointment only. Registration is open now.

“Our practice is collectively grateful to all that are currently serving, have served and their families,” said Dr. Aaron. “We support you and we are honored to be able to provide these services year after year as a small way to say thank you.”

Businesses across the United States will join in Freedom Day USA, a National Thank You Movement for the members of our military and their immediate families, along with Veterans.  They have missed birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and more. Military family

members have constant worry for their loved ones’ safety and make daily sacrifices that most Americans cannot imagine. This is an opportunity to say thank you.

To learn more about this Freedom Day Events or to sign your business up

as a participant, contact Jackie Pappas at Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry (910-253-7535), visit www.FreedomDayUSA.com or the event’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ FreedomDayUsa.

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War Turning Points

Cape Fear Civil War Round Table Meeting

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Wilmington’s Cape Fear Civil War Round Table invites the public to attend a presentation by M. Chris Bryan on the Union XII Corps from Cedar Mountain to Antietam in 1862. Chris Bryan earned a B.S. in History from the United States Naval Academy, an M.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College, Annapolis, and a Masters in Historic Preservation from the University of Maryland, College Park. The former naval aviator works as a project manager and lives in southern Maryland with his wife and two children. This is his first book, titled “Cedar Mountain to Antietam: A Civil War Campaign History of the Union XII Corps, July – September 1862.”

The meeting of the round table will be held on Thursday evening, October 12, at centrally located St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midtown Wilmington near Independence Mall. Doors open at 6:30 and the meeting begins at 7 pm.

James M. McPherson, perhaps the most highly respected of all living Civil War historians, wrote in “Battle Cry of Freedom,” that there were four major turning points that “defined the eventual outcome” of the war. Professor McPherson explains that each of those four turning points could have gone either way, perhaps changing the result of the war.

Two of the four turning points occurred in 1862 when the conflict was just entering its second year. The first was in the summer of 1862 when Confederate counter-offensives in both the eastern and western theaters arrested the momentum of “a seemingly imminent Union victory.” The second occurred in the fall of 1862 when battles at Antietam [Maryland] and Perryville [Kentucky] “threw back Confederate invasions, forestalled European medi-

ation and recognition of the Confederacy… and set the stage for the Emancipation Proclamation.”

The soldiers who are the subject of Chris Bryan’s book played a significant role in both of these momentous turning points. The story he tells is the story of the formation of this often luckless command as the II Corps in Maj. Gen. John Pope’s Army of Virginia on June 26, 1862. The corps endured a bloody and demoralizing loss after coming within a whisker of defeating Maj. Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson at Cedar Mountain on Aug. 9, 1862, and then suffered through the hardships of Pope’s campaign before and after the Battle of Second Manassas, and its resurgence after entering Maryland and joining the reorganized Army of the Potomac. The reorganization also included the relief of its commander, Major General Nathaniel Banks, a “political general” who had been governor of Massachusetts and speaker of the House of Representatives but had no military experience.

As part of the Army of the Potomac, the command was designated the XII

Corps.

The undersized command found significant success on the field at Antietam. Its soldiers swept through the East Woods and the Miller Cornfield, permanently clearing both of Confederates, repelled multiple Southern assaults against the Dunker Church plateau, and eventually secured a foothold beyond the Dunker Church in the West Woods.

This important piece of high ground had been the Union objective all morning, and its occupation threatened the center and rear of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s embattled Army of Northern Virginia. Federal leadership largely ignored the corps’ signal achievement and the opportunity it presented. The XII Corps’ achievement is especially notable given its string of disappointments and hardships in the months leading up to Antietam. Unfortunately, the XII Corps’ new commander, Major General Joseph Mansfield, a West Pointer with decades of distinguished military service, was mortal-

ly wounded at Antietam.

Bryan’s story, a hybrid unit history and leadership and character assessment, puts the XII Corps’ actions in proper context by providing significant and substantive treatment to its Confederate opponents. His unique study, based on extensive archival research, newspapers, and other important resources, and complete with detailed maps and images, is a compelling story of a little-studied yet consequential corps and fills a longstanding historiographical gap.

The meeting will be held in the Elebash Hall meeting room of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Enter at the rear of the church, which is located at 1219 Forest Hills Drive. The church parking lot, close to the entrance to the meeting room, is easily accessed via Park Avenue off of Independence Boulevard. Doors open at 6:30 pm and there is ample time to browse the used books table, talk to members of the round table and discover new interests. For information about membership in the round table, go to http://cfcwrt.org and click on “Join”. See you there…and bring a friend!

Major General Nathaniel Banks

Major General Joseph Mansfield

October

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 call 910-385-9891.

OCT 5-7

King Mackerel Tournament

The annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, hosted by the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of commerce includes lots of fishing, and a wrap up event with music, awards, and lots of fish stories. The Tournament headquarters is at Dutchman Creek Park on Fish Factory Road, Oak Island. Visit https://www. usopenkmt.com/ for specific times and events.

OCT 7

Fall Festival — Belville

Celebrate fall at this family-friendly festival, with vendors, bounce houses, entertainment, and food trucks. This free event is at Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road SE, 10 am to 3 pm.

OCT 7

Intercultural Festival

The Brunswick Arts Council takes this annual cultural celebration to Belville’s Riverwalk Park, 11 am to 4 pm. It will be a day of day of music and dance, with an International village, craft vendors and food. The park is at 580 River Road SE, Belville.

OCT 7

Leland Green Sweep

Join your neighbors to help clean up Sturgeon Park (South Navassa Road). Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty. The clean up is scheduled from 9-11 am.

OCT 8

Kayak Adventures — Masonboro Island

Sunset Paddle

Paddle out to the popular island and see the local wildlife and sunset’s golden hour light. The paddle is scheduled for 3:30-6:30 pm, and the cost is $60, which includes kayak, paddle and life jacket rental.

OCT 12

Gallery Reception at LCAC

Basket weaver Pam Milat is the featured artist for the reception, 6-8 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way; her works will be on display this month as well. The reception is 6-8 pm.

OCT 12

Cape Fear Civil War Round Table

The program this month features a presentation by M. Chris Bryan on the Union XII Corps from Cedar Mountain to

Antietam in 1862. The meeting is in the Elebash Hall meeting room of St. John’s Episcopal Church; enter at the rear of the church, located at 1219 Forest Hills Drive. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the program starts at 7 pm. (See a full story on this event in this month’s issue).

OCT 14

Buddy Walk — Belville’s Riverwalk

Help raise awareness for Down’s Syndrome at this annual walk on Belville’s Riverwalk by the Coastal BUDS of Southeastern NC and the Town of Belville. Festivities are 9 am to noon and include the walk, awards, music, vendors, and a dance party.

OCT 14

Big Toy Day — Cape Fear Regional Jetport

The Southport-Oak Island Kiwanis host this annual event, which gives children the chance to climb around all

Fall Events at the Gallery

CALENDAR

sorts of “big toys” like fire trucks, military vehicles and law enforcement vehicles. The event is 10 am to 3 pm at the Jetport, 4015 Airport Road, Oak Island. A limited number of Young Eagle flights will also be offered free of charge from 10:30 am to 1 pm (a parent or legal guardian must be present to give permission). The event is free, but a $10 per car donation would be appreciated by the Kiwanis Club. (Read more in a full story in this issue.)

OCT 20

Bluegrass, Bowls and Baskets

Enjoy works from local potters and weavers while Masonboro Sounds performs bluegrass. The Leland Police and Fire Departments will compete in a chili cook off, and attendees can vote by bringing a non-perishable food item donation. The fun kicks off at 6 pm at LCAC, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

OCT 21

Doo-wop concert

Shades of Grey doo-wop group will perform at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, with proceeds to support supplies and program scholarships of the Leland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department. The concert is 7-9 pm, and tickets are $40.

OCT 21

Bands, Brews and BBQ

Amateurs and professionals compete in a BBQ cook-off, and there will be music, local craft beers and vendors on site. The event is in Belville’s Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road SE.

OCT 21

Port Brunswick Day — Brunswick Town/ Fort Anderson

Local historians will recreate life in the lower Cape Fear region as it was in 1767. Explore the site from 10 am to 4 pm and see how early Brunswick County residents lived. The historic site is at 8884 St. Philip’s Road SE, Winnabow (off N.C. 133) and the event is free to attend.

OCT 21

Halloween Movie in the Park

Join the Town of Belville for a Halloween movie at Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road SE. The movie starts at 7 pm.

OCT 21

Trunk or Treat — Winnabow

The Gator Hole Country Store and Tackle hosts this trunk or treat with plenty of treats for the kiddos. There will be prizes for the best dressed trunk and for best costumes too. The event is noon to 4 pm at the store, 2801 River Road SE (N.C. 133).

OCT 21

Living Voices of the Past — Southport Historical Society

Society members will share stories of 10 people buried in the Old Smithville Burying Ground, 2-4 pm. A $5 donation is requested for this event, and the location is 401 E. Moore St. (Rain date is Oct 22, 2-4 pm if needed).

OCT 23-27

Peer Fishing Festival — Operation North State

Wounded warriors, disables veterans and their guests will have five free days of fishing at the Oak Island Pier. Fishing is from 6:45 am to 5:30 pm, rain or shine, and lunch will be served daily. To register as a participant or to volunteer to help out, email mailbox@operationnorthstate.com or call 336-764-5967.

OCT 27

Kayak Adventures — Cypress Cove Full Moon and Campfire Paddle

Paddle out from this waterfront park and enjoy a campfire! The paddle is scheduled for 4:30-8:30 pm, and the cost is $60, which includes kayak, paddle and life jacket rental.

OCT 28

Trunk or Treat — Leland

Bring out the kiddos in their costumes for this fun Halloween event, 4-6 pm at East Cutlar Crossing (Brunswick Forest).

OCT 28

Classic Cars ’n Rock ’n Roll

The Cape Fear Cruisers host their annual show, with more than 80 awards in various categories, including a prize for the best Halloween-decorated vehicle. The show runs along the riverfront/ Howe and Bay Streets in Southport from 8:30 am to 3 pm. The Back Porch Rockers will perform, and there will be a raffle; proceeds benefit local charities.

OCT 30

Brunswick Civil War Round Table Ladies Forum

Renowned local historian, author, and popular guest speaker Chris Fonvielle will join the Civil War Ladies’ Forum at its annual meeting to explore a most interesting subject rarely discussed at Civil War presentations —“Sex in the Civil War.” The program will be held at Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport, and it begins at 6 pm.

OCT 28-29

Watercolor Workshops to benefit Friends of LCAC

Artist Mark Polomchak will lead two days of workshops. Attendees can take one day of classes or both; each day will feature group and one-on-one instruction and artists will complete a painting. Some supplies provided; check details when registering. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Friends group. The class is 9 am to 4 pm each day.

NOV 2

Artist Reception — LCAC

Artist Trey Moore’s work is on display; his work features composite of on-site sketches and photographs with works taking different views of the world around us. The reception is 6-8 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

NOV 4

Contra Dance

This communal-style folk dance is easy to learn, and no partner or experience is

necessary. Beginners lessons start at 7 pm, and flat, closed-toe shoes are recommended.Tickets are $15, and the dance is 7-10 pm at LCAC, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

NOV 4

The Great Pumpkin Blowout

For just $10, you can blow up a pumpkin at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson. Take your own pumpkin, and use the same technology used to detonate Civil War era torpedoes. The event is 11 am to 4 pm at the site, 8884 St. Philip’s Road SE, Winnabow (off N.C. 133). This event is a particular favorite of this magazine publishers, by the way.

ONGOING EVENTS

Riverwalk Marketplace

Thursdays 2-5 pm, Fridays 11 am5 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 am to noon. 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.

LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College

150 College Road NW, Bolivia

Oct 13 — The Long Bay Symphony with John Popper

Oct 14 — Celebrate Brunswick featuring The Spongetones at 9 pm and The Hatch Brothers at 8 pm

Oct 19 — DSB - The Journey tribute

Oct 21 — Ranky Tanky

Nov 3 — Who’s Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute

Visit https://bccowa.com/

Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College

701 N. Third Street in Wilmington

Oct 5 — Alice Cooper

Oct 7 — The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents Romantic Masters

Oct 9 — An Evening with Billy Ocean

Oct 13 — Nick Carter

Oct 14 — Pam Tillis

Oct 22 — City Ballet presents “Jane

Eyre,” a ballet based on the Charlotte Bronte novel. Attendees are are invited to dress up in gothic, romantic, or period attire from favorite works of literature.

Oct 25 — The North Carolina Symphony presents Classical Favorites

Oct 26 — Portrait of Aretha: CeCe Teneal honors the legacy of the Queen of Soul

Oct 28 — Ofrenda: a Dia de Los Muertos Celebration

Nov 1 — Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

1941 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington

Oct 4 — Gov’t Mule

Oct 5 — Drive-By Truckers with rican Aquarium

Oct 12 — Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown 20th Anniversary Tour

Oct 13 — Common Kings - Celebration Tour

Oct 15 — SOJO with guests Hirie and Mihali

Oct 20 — Leftover Salmon

Oct 21 — Paul Cauthen

Oct 22 — The Cat Empire - Where the Angels Fall Tour

Live Oak Bank Pavilion

10 Cowan St., Wilmington

Oct 5 — Jelly Roll: Backroad Baptism

Tour 2023

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

1175 Turlington Ave Suite 101, Leland

Oct 6 — Fresh & Raw Tour together with Truist — The concert is free to attend, and money raised from donations will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Local musician Lorna Ford will open, and musicians Barrett Baber and Taylor Goyette will also perform. Music starts at 6 pm.

Brunswick Beer Xchange Co.

113 Village Road, Leland

Oct 7 — Octoberfest and 2nd Anniversary Celebration, featuring games, food, and of course, delicious beer selections. The festivities start at 3 pm.

BEER AND WINE

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

1175 Turlington Ave, Suite 101, Leland

Full menu available for dine-in or takeout — also hosting live music, karaoke and trivia.

The Joyce

1174 Turlington Ave.

Check Facebook for specials and details on music and trivia nights.

Local’s Tavern

1107 New Pointe Blvd., Leland

Music Bingo on Wednesdays, starting at 7 pm. Specials are posted on Facebook.

Bridgewater Wines

1132 New Pointe Blvd., Leland

Tuesday Trivia is at at 6:30 pm (reservations required). Checkout the great food menu, and Sunday brunch specials; call 910-408-1900 to order take-out.

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

Check Facebook for live music, food truck appearances, trivia nights and wine 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

Dozens of beers on tap in a fun, family atmosphere.

dining guide

FIVE GUYS

2028 Olde Regent Way, Leland (910) 833-1997

Burgers and More!

APPLEBEE’S

1113 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-371-6315

Full-service chain bar &grill providing hearty American eats in an informal setting

BLOSSOMS RESTAURANT

Magnolia Greens Golf Course

1800 Tommy Jacobs Dr., Leland 910-383-0998

Breakfast- Saturday & Sunday | Lunch –Tuesday – Sunday | Dinner – Wednesday – Saturday

BRIDGEWATER WINES

1132 New Pointe Blvd, Leland (910) 408-1900

www.bridgewaterwines.com

Free Wine Tastings Thursdays and Fridays 3-6pm, Saturdays 1-5pm and Sundays 12-3pm

BRODEE’S DOGS BREW HOUSE

103A Village Rd NE, Leland (910) 523-5121

Hot dogs and specialty craft beers

Brunswick Beer and Cider

1313 S. Dickenson Dr., Leland Leland’s first brewery and cidery! Full menu also available

CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD CO

Waterford Leland, 910-399-6739

American seafood, signature dishes, hand cut fish, steaks and chicken, freshly made desserts all served in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

CHINGON TAQUERIA

1132 New Pointe Blvd, Leland (910) 3408-1221

Mexican Food & Drink

CHRISTOPHER’S STEAKHOUSE AND SEAFOOD

2013 New Regent Way Ste 200, Leland

Full hand

(910) 782-8498

Steakes, Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches

DUNKIN DONUTS

1132 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-383-8383

Hand crafted espresso drinks, fresh made all day breakfast sandwiches and delicious donuts.

MR. BAGELMEISTER

1105 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-383-8383

Gondolfo’s Pizza

1735 Reed Rd NE, Leland 910-833-5666

FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

1120 E. Cutler Crossing, Leland

Southern Style, Breakfast & Brunch (910) 408-1676

FIVE GUYS

2028 Olde regent way, leland (910) 833-1997

Burgers, Shakes and more!

FALCONE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

2013 Olde Regent Way, Leland 910-371-3442

Authentic Italian Fare

FIREHOUSE SUBS

3572 Leland Town Center Dr., Leland (910) 408-1007

THE FOREST RESTAURANT

Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest 1281 Cape Fear National Dr., Leland 910-383-3283

FUZZY PEACH

1109 New Pointe Blvd, Ste 4, Leland 910-371-1238

Frozen Yogurt

GAYLYN’S DINER

322 Village Rd, Leland (910) 371-3533

Breakfast and Lunch

Retro-themed chain with 1950’s sodafountain look

ISLAND FRESH-MEX GRILL

2013 Olde Regent Way, Ste 110, Leland

Serving frshly made burritos, quesadillas and more

Mexican

JADE GARDEN

1735 Reed Rd, Leland

910-383-0880

Chinese

JERSEY MIKE’S

2029 Olde Regent Way, Leland

910-523-5300

Sub sandwiches

Chicken Salad Chick

503 Old Waterford Way 104-A, Leland Chicken Salad and a whole lot more

THE JOYCE IRISH PUB

1174 Turlington Ave, Ste 101, Leland 910-408-1400

Irish Pub, Burgers, Beverage

LELAND SMOKEHOUSE

503 Olde Waterford Way Ste 100, Leland (910)228-5008

BBQ, Wings, Ribs

LOCAL’S TAVERN

1107 New Pointe Blvd, Leland

910- 769-1289

American Bar/Pub, Music

MIYABI JR EXPRESS

1108 New Pointe Blvd #110, Leland (910) 769-2358

Hibachi, Sushi

NEW DAY CAFE

497 Olde Waterford Way Ste 100, Leland (910) 769-9036

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PANARA BREAD

2024 Olde Regent Way, Leland

Suite 110

(910) 274-0358

HWY 55 BURGERS, SHAKES AND FRIES

1114 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-371-2707

PAPI’S CAFE

1108 New Pointe Blvd #140, Leland (910) 408-1662

Peruvian Charcoal Rotisserie Chicken

PIZZA HUT

112 K Village Rd NE, Leland 910-371-9547

PIZZETTA’S PIZZERIA

1144 E. Cutlar Crossing, Leland 910-371-6001

Pizza, Italian, Bar

PORT CITY JAVA

511 Olde Waterford Way 1112 E Cutlar Crossing 910-383-1238, Leland

Coffeehouse chain with house-roasted, organic, breakfast items, sandwiches.

P.T.’S OLDE FASHIONED GRILLE

1035 Grandiflora Dr, Leland 910-399-6808

Burgers, sandwiches and fresh-cut fries

SAN FELIPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

1114 New Point Blvd, #140, Leland 910-371-1188

Mexican Food and Drink

SHIRLEY’S DINER

112 Village Rd. NE, Leland 910-371-2890

SHUCKIN’ SHACK

OYSTER BAR - LELAND

1175 Turlington Ave Suite 101 Leland, North Carolina (910) 221-5522

SIX HAPPINESS ASIAN RESTAURANT

1114 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-371-0021

Japanese, Sushi, Asian

SMITHFIELD’S CHICKEN ’N BAR-B-Q

2020 Olde Regent Way, Leland 910-371-6900

Counter-serve chain offers fried chicken &Eastern NC BBQ vinegar-based sauce

SUBWAY

103 Village Rd NE & 1012 Grandiflora Dr 910-371-9933 910-383-

0211 Subs & Salads

TAQUERIA SANTA CLARA

1389 Lanvale Rd, Leland (910) 769-5598

Take-out Mexican, Burgers, Hot Dogs

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE

143 Poole Rd, Leland 910- 765-1144

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner serving sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, quesadillas, bowls, and more

WAFFLE HOUSE

111 Village Rd NE, Leland 910-371-3600

Breakfast Restaurant

WOK AND ROLL

2013 Olde Regent Way, Leland 910-371-9025

Chinese

YUMMI YUMMI

112 Village Rd NE, Leland 910-371-0077

Chinese

New Day Cafe’s Omlette and Hash Browns