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FROM THE PUBLISHER
STAFF EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Chuck and Sue Cothran
Jeffrey Stites
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
jeff@liveoakmediainc.com
Louise Sheffield-Baccarny Carla Edstrom
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Patricia Langer Jan Morgan-Swegle
Lisa P. Stites
Janet Fortney
lisa@southportmag.com
Lisa P. Stites Jeffrey Stites
LEAD DESIGNER
PUBLISHER & SALES
Liz Brinker lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com
Jeffrey Stites jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741
Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine is published once a month by Live Oak Media, Inc The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of the staff. Annual Subscription: $45 email jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741 Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine PO Box 10175, Southport, NC 28461 www.shallottemag.com email jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741
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W
Still America250
e celebrated America’s birthday last month, but our 250th anniversary lasts the entire year, and we plan to keep celebrating. Historically, it’s a big deal for a country to operate under that same government, the same Constitution, for 250 years. And to have that happen in a country ruled by its citizens is unique in human history, and something we should all take as a point of pride. Understanding our history is particularly important here because we aren’t now, and never have been, bound by a common ethnicity or religion. What holds us together is our shared history and common belief in the ideals upon which our nation was founded. If we lose track of these things, or if we fail to teach the new generations, we could lose that glue and the nation could come apart at the seams. So expect more history in our pages, including in this issue. This month, you’ll learn about a traveling exhibit on the American Revolution that is being brought to Shallotte’s Rourk Library by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Our newest writer, Gabriel Hughes, shares the story of a graduate student intern at Brunswick Town and his work uncovering the history of the port and one of it’s wharves. And we spoke to an artist who helped create a memorial , also at Brunswick Town, to one of the bleaker aspects of our shared history, the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Hundreds of men, women and children were imported to Brunswick Town and now their story is getting the honor it deserves. We hope you appreciate this continued national birthday celebration!
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Community
DAR History Exhibit Traveling American Revolution Display STORY BY LISA STITES, PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES
I
t’s been a year of celebrating all things American, and though the July 4th holiday has passed, the 250th Anniversary lats all year and there are still more ways to learn more about the founding of our country and commemorate America250.
The Brunswick Town Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) has secured a spot on the schedule for a traveling exhibit entitled the American Revolution Experience. The Chapter applied two years ago to serve as a host for the exhibit, and the scheduled visit is August 14-21 at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library. “All DAR chapters were given the opportunity to apply for hosting the exhibit,” Teresa McLamb said. McLamb is a past president of the Brunswick Town Chapter of NSDAR and currently serves as as Registrar and Media/PR co-chairman for the group. “We applied two years ago! It has been so popular that the time period for traveling the country was extended,” she said. The exhibit may be seen during normal operating hours for the library at 9400 Ocean Hwy West (U.S. 17) in Carolina Shores.
DAR Member Marilyn Lee O’Brien at the 4th of July Festival Naturalization Ceremony
NSDAR’s mission statement is the promotion of patriotism, education and historic conservation, McLamb explained. “We have many local initiatives that center on education including the nationally recognized Constitution Week in September and support of several schools and colleges including Crossnore’s two North Carolina campuses,” she said. Bringing the exhibit to Brunswick County gives residents and visitors to learn more about the colonial citizens of southeastern North Carolina who played key roles in the rebellion that became the American Revolution, in defiance of the Stamp Act at Brunswick Town, the Patriot victory at Moore’s Creek bridge, riders alerting Isaac Marion at the Boundary House of the advancing British troops, the Tory Hole victory at Elizabethtown, and much more, according to a release from the Brunswick Town Chapter. It’s a chance to consider “how fortunate we are to live in a democracy; how fragile that right is, and how we have a responsibility to protect our freedoms that were so valiantly fought for by our ancestors,” McLamb said. Funded by American Battlefield Protection Program Interpretation Grants and NSDAR, the exhibit opened at DAR headquarters in 2023 and has been traveling the country since in honor of America 250, according to the release. The exhibit consists of 12 panels arranged in pairs that cover thematic topics raised by the individuals featured in the exhibition. Examples include “Choosing Sides,” “On the Front Lines” and “Freedom or Slavery.” Three touchscreen displays augment the panels – one focused on the featured individuals, one highlighting places connected to those stories that can still be visited and one that includes Trust-produced animated maps that offer deeper context by showing the course of the full Revolutionary War as bat-
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Brunswick Town Chapter DAR Members at the Brunswick Town sign dedication (with Jim McKee)
tles unfolded across the continent. The exhibit is free and all residents are encouraged to attend. It arrives in Brunswick County after being exhibited in Sampson County and will travel from here to Conway, South Carolina. The opportunities to learn more about Brunswick County’s role before and during the Revolution don’t end when the exhibit leaves for its next stop. There are many local resources available for residents. McLamb suggests first and foremost, going to Brunswick Town where the first armed resistance in the colonies against British rule took place. “Site Manager Jim McKee is a treasure trove of local historical knowledge,” she said. “A complete set of the Colonial Records of North Carolina is available at the Brunswick Community College library in Building A on campus where there is also a genealogy research repository created by Brunswick Town NSDAR for public use. Southport Historical Society has a collection of local information at their headquarters as well as online. Brunswick Historical Society has all of their publications online. Many new books and documentaries have been produced in honor of America 250! They’re available on several streaming services and at all the local libraries.” The mission of NSDAR is the promotion of patriotism, education and historic conservation. “We have many local initiatives that center on education including the nationally recognized Constitution Week in Septem-
ber and support of several schools and colleges including Crossnore’s two North Carolina campuses,” McLamb said. (Crossnore Communities for Children provides holistic care to children and families who have experienced trauma.) Besides bringing the exhibit to Brunswick County, the group has been participating in other America250 events, including installing and dedicating historic markers at Brunswick Town and the county courthouse. Members also participated in Flag Day, and in the NC 4th of July Festival, when members hosted the newly-sworn citizens at a reception in their honor. The group also sponsored a float in the parade and created and published a series of articles on local patriots. And there’s more to come. “Our next scheduled event is dedication of a Liberty Elm at Rourk Library in commemoration of the elm tree under which the Sons of Liberty met,” McLamb said. Members of the Brunswick Town Chapter also encourage finding out more about our own families — there may be some patriots in our family trees. “Many local residents descend from Patriots of the American Revolution, but are unaware,” McLamb said. “Brunswick Town NSDAR and Cape Fear SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) can assist those who have an interest in celebrating their heritage through membership in the organizations.”
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Community
Africa To Carolina
New Art Installation At Brusnwick Town STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES
H
istory is endlessly fascinating and also complicated and sometimes difficult. It is, after all, the story of humans beings, and humans are complicated, doing great and terrible things often at the same time. The citizens of Brunswick Town are no different. They helped kick off a revolution that led to a nation founded on the ideals of freedom and the notion that all men are created equal. These same people also imported, sold and owned men, women and children. The Brunswick Town State Historic Site has done a great job telling the first part of that story, and now the second part is getting its due. Last month the Africa To Carolina Inclusive Public Art Initiative was dedicated at Brunswick Town. The installation includes sculpture, two dimensional artwork, and poetry that all tell the story of, and pay homage to, the people who came
to Brunswick Town on slave ships and were sold on its docks, worked on its farms and in its homes, and helped build the town. The monument is found on the path around Brunswick Town next to a pavilion. You won’t miss it — it’s impressive in both size and the quality of the design and artwork. When you visit, be sure to read the plaques under the sculptures. They con-
David Wilson (left) and Stephen Hayes at the unveiling of the Africa to Carolina Inclusive Public Art Initiative
tain an original poem by North Carolina’s Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green that is quite moving. The monument is the work of artists David Wilson and Stephen Hayes. Wilson is a 2-D artist and Hayes a sculptor, and this collaboration is the result of about three years of work. The project was commissioned by the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission with major funding provided by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. By luck I’d met Hayes while stopping by to take photos of the work being installed. “We had community engagements and stuff, so we work with the community and see about what they’re interested in, and then we come up with our design and present it back to them and see if they like the work,”
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Hayes explained. “It’s going to be an inviting space to bring people in and to imagine what went on on these ships as they disembark from the water,” he said. Hayes is an art professor at Duke University and has dedicated his artistic works to honoring and teaching about the contributions and sacrifices of those brought to the Americas as slaves. He has work in several states and in the Caribbean and said his goal is to have a piece at every slave port in the Americas. He told me he was inspired by what sees as the hidden history of the slave
trade. “Just me not knowing much about the transporting of people from Africa to America, and learning it was a six- to eightweek journey for them to be on the boat with no sights, and being able to tell that story and continue to tell a story that’s never been told or that doesn’t get told in history books,” he said. He said much of this story gets skipped over in textbooks. “We learn about the Civil War, we learn about slavery, but we don’t learn about the exact amount of time or how many ships it took to transport people here. You know, over 15 million people that
Community were transported here.” A monument like this tells an important story, one that was getting less attention than it deserves at sites like Brunswick Town.
“This is my life’s work,” Hayes said. “To create great artwork that continues to tell the story that’s been untold. So if I can use more artwork as a way of continuing to tell the story, this is what I want to do and
that’s my goal to do. You know, I want to be able to set an example for my kids in the next generation to come. I feel like artwork is a thing to connects people across generations or cultures, so if I can create an artwork that’s going to create a conversation between people who are from totally different, you know, walks of life, that’s my job, what I wanna do.”
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Showcase
Same Time Next Year Brunswick Little Theatre August Show STORY CONTRIBUTED
B
runswick Little Theatre (BLT) celebrates its 2026 summer season with “Same Time, Next Year,” a classic, quarter-century love story written by Bernade Slade and directed by Elizabeth Michaels, running from August 6-23. What happens when a chance meeting between two married people meeting once a year at the same inn develops into a decades-long affair? Come explore this unique relationship showing growth and a long-lasting connection over 25 years. This well-known and poignant play is lauded for its sharp, witty, and sometimes touching dialogue that
elevates the romantic comedy genre. Critics often highlight that the narrative serves as a deep dive into adult development, tracking the couple’s shifting personalities, evolving worldviews, and profound emotional connection. All that and the production remains a crowd pleaser through the years! Tickets are available online at www. brunswicklittletheatre.com or at
shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 8
Ricky Evans Gallery, 211 N. Howe St. in Southport. Brunswick Little Theatre is located at 8068 River Rd. SE, Southport. The Brunswick Little Theatre is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to create awareness and appreciation of the performing arts in the greater Brunswick County area. Our mission is to entertain, enrich and educate. We strive to produce transformative theatre and provide quality theatrical and technical instruction for all in a nurturing inclusive environment.
Community Discovery Wharf The Wait
other piece of the puzzle.” He explained that there are not really any true visuals of how Old Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson was used in colonial times, and that “it is like building a jigsaw puzzle with three-quarters of the pieces missing.”
Intern Uncovering Brunswick Town History STORY BY GABRIEL HUGHES
O
ld Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson, a site deeply shaped by American colonial history, is a true “hidden gem,” said Christos Darras, a graduate student at East Carolina University (ECU). For Darras, who is pursuing his degree in Maritime Studies, it is also the site for his graduate thesis. His current project might just help to answer some questions about the area’s true importance in colonial history. Darras, who attended ECU’s Field School earlier in the summer, was offered an internship with the Friends of Old Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson. He began researching a former colonial wharf that is no longer truly “accessible” to the public, but is hidden from view. It is Darras’ goal to bring new life to this wharf in a way the public may not immediately expect. As part of his project and internship, Darras is working on developing a digital reconstruction of the wharf, known as Moore’s Wharf or Wharf 01, to aid in the understanding of why that wharf specifically carries importance and how it may have been used in the colonial era. The land on which Old Brunswick
Town-Fort Anderson sits was once owned by the renowned colonial Colonel Maurice Moore and his brother “King” Roger Moore. It was known in the colonial ages due to the depth of its water, which allowed for easy passage of larger, goods-laden merchant ships. This enabled Brunswick Town to become a world-class port and the fourteenth busiest in all of the colonies by the mid1700s. What was once a major port for lumber, pitch, tar, and turpentine, is now a historical site offering visitors a glimpse of early life in the American colonies. However, part of that glimpse might require goggles and a swimsuit, given that part of the site — including Moore’s Wharf — is now submerged under the surface of the water. Darras describes his ambitious undertaking as a “project of understanding,” as it will allow him and the public to discover how the wharf was constructed, why it was positioned where it was, and ultimately why the wharf was important in colonial times. Currently, Darras estimates that he is “modestly halfway” complete with the project, stating that he has already created some concept art using artificial intelligence (AI). Though he has used AI in the initial designs, Darras maintains that it is just “a supportive tool,” and that the only way to actually know how the wharf was shaped is through “more archaeological research and survey.”
While Moore’s Wharf is the focus of Darras’ project, McKee clarified that this wharf is not the only one. William Dry’s Wharf, which began washing up in 2008, has been systematically mapped by McKee. The two or three more wharfs that lie to the south are additional projects of ECU’s Field School.
Cristos Darras in front of the wharf that is the subject of his research (Above and Bottom Left) photos by Gabriel Hughes
The site itself is marked with wave attenuators, which were installed in 2019. These help to absorb shock from wake energy. While the attenuators do not fully absorb the waves, they aid in protecting the site from erosion due to the marsh-like environment.
McKee said that everyone has different visions of what a wharf looks like now, but that this project will allow for a representation of what a wharf looked like 250 years ago. McKee is helping to support the project by providing technical information from William Dry’s Wharf due to its similarity to Moore’s Wharf. In the near future, Darras intends to meet with his advisor to plan his next steps regarding data and models. You can follow along with the progression of his project at Friends of Brunswick Town/ Fort Anderson on Facebook.
Though this project has been very successful thus far, Darras said that his biggest challenge to date has been the digital reconstruction software. He explained that the software works, but that his current setup is not as compatible, compared to if he was creating this digital model on ECU’s campus. Even through the challenges, Darras loves interacting with the public because “people want to know,” he explained. “Then they tell their friends who then become interested,” he went on to say. He views one of his biggest successes as being able to reach out to the community, as it feels as though what he is doing is actually important. Jim McKee, site director for Old Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson, described this project as “an- Photo by Cristos Darras
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Community
Master Gardeners Sign Ups For Next Class Now Open STORY CONTRIBUTED
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nterested in becoming a NC State Extension Master Gardener ℠ volunteer in Brunswick County? Fill out the interest form (http:// bit.ly/4haPuEi) and read below for more information!
Next Class starts January 2027
Join a network of passionate gardeners in Brunswick County who are dedicated to learning and sharing research-based information, enhancing the communities in which they live through horticulture, and connecting people with the benefits of gardening. Become a Master Gardener℠ volunteer in Brunswick County! NC State Extension Master Gardener SM volunteers (“EMG”) are essentially an “extension” of NC State Cooperative Extension and NC State University, a North
Carolina land-grant institution. They assist in our mission of public outreach and education. The EMG volunteer training program for Brunswick County is offered once a year. EMG volunteers: Represent NC State Extension. Promote the research-based recommendations of NC State Extension. May only use the title “Extension Master Gardener volunteer” when engaged in Extension-sponsored activities. Follow the policies and procedures found
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in the NC State Extension Master Gardener Program Guidelines Abide by the NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Code of Conduct
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Community
History of a Gallery
Associated Artists of Southport at 50 Years STORY CONTRIBUTED
A
s our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, the Associated Artists of Southport (AAS) proudly celebrate its own historic anniversary this year — 50 years of making and sharing art at Franklin Square Gallery, the historic blue building with the white columns that is home to AAS.
The two-story structure at 130 E. West St. in Southport has a story as colorful and varied as the art it now houses. This year, AAS proudly celebrates 50 years of stewardship, preserving the building’s legacy as a beloved community space and landmark of historic Southport.
A Little History Nestled among the live oaks, azaleas and camellias at the eastern end of Franklin Square Park in Southport, the Gallery began life in 1904 as the first public, graded school in Brunswick County. As originally built, its two-story structure featured a cu-
pola with a school bell, a broad stoop and wide steps — but no columns. By 1910, the school had 165 pupils and offered instruction in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, Latin, English literature, composition, rhetoric, geography and history. (Grazetti, J., et al., “Ïf These Walls Could Talk,” 2nd ed. 2004 at 10.) Enrollment soon outgrew outgrew the existing space, so two one-story wings were added in 1918. Classes continued until 1936, when the City of Southport purchased the building from the school board and remodeled it to house Southport’s City Hall, an American Legion Post and a Community Center. The City added the four white columns that highlight the entrance to the building and a walk-in vault at the back of the first floor. A group of high school students was “hired” — for free — to paint the large room on the second floor for use as a Community Center. Apparently, artistry came alive in the building even then, as one of those high school students, Leila Pigott, remembered, “The ceiling was [painted] blue with white stars, and poems were painted on the walls.” (Id. at 21.) The City occupied the first floor offices to the right of the
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entrance, with the American Legion occupying the offices on the left. The second floor, with its starry ceiling and poetry on the walls, served as a venue for parties and dances with live music for children and adults. (Id. at 21-22.) Southport’s Catholic community also used this space for services until 1941, when the original Sacred Heart Church was built on Caswell Avenue. Later, Southport’s Public Library used the building’s second floor space from the early 1960s until 1968.
Enter AAS In April 1972, five Southport artists formed a group to support artists in Southport and the surrounding area. They drafted a constitution and bylaws to create AAS. A sixth artist joined shortly thereafter, and AAS began establishing itself as an artistic presence in Brunswick County. As the bylaws state, AAS is “dedicated to the cultural enrichment of the community.” Its purposes include promoting the fine arts, fostering the exchange of ideas, contributing services to the community in the field of visual arts, and providing “educational
programs for all ages and demonstrations and lectures for both its members and the community that will lead to a better public understanding of art.” To meet these goals, AAS initially met in various locations around town, but soon petitioned Southport’s leaders for permis-
Community sion to use city-owned space for meetings, activities and exhibits. In 1976, Southport approved the use of the building that is now Franklin Square Gallery for the production of a summer musical and for use by AAS. Thus began AAS’s 50-year and continuing love affair with this historic building.
A New Chapter: Franklin Square Gallery Under its original lease agreement with Southport, AAS was required to “provide any maintenance of the interior of the building and any renovation approved by the Board [of Aldermen of Southport].” That agreement continues to this day, with the additional requirement that AAS also maintain the building’s exterior and grounds. Because AAS is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, its members have always volunteered their time, effort and personal funds to take good care of Franklin Square Gallery. They donate 25 percent of all sales to the organization, which has provided for remodeling and continually refreshing the Gallery’s nine bright rooms of display space for paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, pottery and ceramic and glass sculpture. AAS members also spend hours on the exterior of the building and its landscaping, maintaining the building’s presence as a stately sentinel overlooking Southport’s historic Franklin
Square Park. Just as its founders hoped, AAS strives continually to ensure that the Gallery meets the needs of the community. Members voluntarily staff the Gallery from mid-February through late December, Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. All artwork is always for sale and no admission fee is ever charged. The Gallery also offers numerous art programs open to the public. Its regional Spring, Summer and Maritime Art Shows attract artists from all over Brunswick County and beyond. At First Friday receptions March through December, AAS invites the public to enjoy various art exhibits, demonstrations, complimentary refreshments, live music and conversations with artists. The second floor room with its once-starry ceiling is now a classroom that hosts weekly painting studio sessions, bi-weekly figure drawing sessions with live models, art history lectures, and artists’ workshops, all open to the public for a nominal fee to cover costs. Annually, AAS hosts a Fourth of July raffle of original artwork, and Kids’ Day Art in the Park, a free event that transforms Franklin Square Park into an open-air art studio where children of all ages can enjoy art activities. Every four years, AAS organizes and hosts Empty Bowls, a nationwide effort to alleviate food-insecurity “one bowl at a time,” raising more than $30,000 in 2025 for local food banks and charities. And this year, AAS has proudly hosted the
Veterans Creative Arts Program, offering free art classes at the Gallery to veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. These are just some of the ways in which AAS members have opened Franklin Square Gallery to the public, to share their enthusiasm and love for the arts with the greater Southport community. From humble beginnings as a school, a city hall, a dance hall and a library, Franklin Square Gallery now operates as the finest non-profit art gallery in southeastern North Carolina.
50th Anniversary Celebrations & Fundraising To celebrate 50 years in the building they call home, AAS members are working hard to ensure that Franklin Square Gallery continues to shine as a community asset for many years to come. Essential maintenance for this 122-year old building includes, among other things, costly electrical equipment repair, the repair and painting of the Gallery’s entire exterior and trim, and extensive repairs to the Gallery’s handicap
ramp. Fortunately, the generous folks at Solstice Builders, LLC have graciously offered to complete all handicap ramp repairs as a donation to the Gallery, for which AAS is deeply grateful. To help pay for the remaining repairs and ensure that Franklin Square Gallery continues to function as a cultural hub in Southport, AAS will kick off a major fundraising effort with a commemorative social at the Gallery on August 23, 2026. Plans include a 50th Anniversary Club comprised of community members who donate “$50 for 50,” representing $1 for each year of the Gallery’s existence. Donors will receive special benefits and invitations to future events, and will be recognized publicly on the Gallery’s website. Commemorative prints, t-shirts, stickers, a painting party and a gala are also planned for the coming months. For more detailed information about these and other efforts to ensure the next 50 years of art and culture are alive and well in Southport, please visit the Gallery’s website at www.franklinsquaregallery.com.
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FISHING REPORT
August Fishing Report
Fish Out There If You Know Where To Look BY CAPTAIN STEELE PARK
W
ell, we’re midway through summer, and it’s been a busy season with some outstanding fishing along our coast. July brought steady winds and rough seas, but now the “dog days” of summer are here. While some anglers will say the fishing is slow or the fish have disappeared, that’s not necessarily true. It simply means you may need to adjust your techniques and target different species. Fishing can still be incredibly rewarding this time of year. Inshore – Finger mullet have arrived in big numbers and are easy to find patrolling the marshes, marinas, and sandbars throughout our area. Despite the statewide flounder closure, flounder fishing has been absolutely on fire, with many big fish being caught both inshore and around the nearshore wrecks and reefs. A simple Carolina rig with a ¾-ounce egg sinker and a live finger mullet is really all you need. The Southport waterfront produces excellent flounder this time of year, along with the main feeder creeks and the islands on the Cape Fear River. Yaupon Reef, McGlamery Reef, and the Ella Wreck are also outstanding places to fish. Red Drum can be found along the marshes, especially on a falling tide as they ambush finger mullet leaving the small creeks. Another often-overlooked spot is the windward side of marsh islands, where bait is pushed against the banks and redfish cruise for an easy meal.
Captain Steele Park, a US Navy Veteran, has been fishing the oceans, rivers, and lakes of southeastern NC since he was 7 years old and knows these waters like the back of his hand. He calls Southport home and captains the Catherine Anne Sportfishing & Excursions fleet. For more information please call at 910-6209919
Sheepshead fishing continues to be very good. A light jig head tipped with fiddler crabs and dropped alongside pilings, retaining walls, and rock piles will consistently draw bites from these feisty fish. The biggest challenge is detecting their subtle bite and setting the hook. Bring plenty of patience—and plenty of bait—and you’ll have a fun day on the water. This time of year, your best fishing will be early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Fish are more active during the cooler parts of the day, and it’s much more comfortable for anglers as well. Once the midday heat sets in, fish generally move to deeper water to cool off. Nearshore – The warm water along the beaches has pushed most of the Spanish mackerel and bluefish offshore. While a few are still around, the days of catching a quick limit are on pause for a few weeks. Fortunately, there are still plenty of opportunities. Head a little deeper or farther offshore—we’ve been finding good action around the shoals. Watch for diving birds,
shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 16
and you’ll usually find aggressively feeding fish beneath them. One of our favorite nearshore trips this time of year is taking inshore spinning rods rigged with smaller king rigs using #6 treble hooks, along with big finger mullet or small pogies, and fishing reefs like Yaupon Reef or Lighthouse Rocks. Slow troll or drift over structure where suspended fish are marked, and you’re almost guaranteed to hook into big Spanish mackerel that are a blast on light tackle. By late August, we’ll begin seeing the first schools of Bull Red Drum along the beaches. They’re typically found around the massive menhaden bait balls stretching from Cape Fear south toward Lockwood Folly Inlet. A larger Carolina rig with a 2- to 3-ounce egg sinker and a 6/0 or 7/0 circle hook is ideal. Cast a live menhaden into the bait ball and let it sink naturally through the school. Bull reds will pick it up off the bottom, and the fight is unforgettable. Be sure to use heavier spinning tackle— your cobia setup works perfectly. Landing these fish quickly helps prevent exhaustion, improving their chances of recovery and reducing their vulnerability to the sharks that also patrol the bait schools. Offshore – August still offers plenty of offshore opportunities. While king macker-
el and mahi fishing will begin to slow, we’ll start seeing the first sailfish of the season in the 15- to 35-mile range. Finding the green-to-blue water color change is often the key to locating these spectacular fish. Circle-hooked ballyhoo allows you to cover more water than slow-trolling live bait and is an excellent approach this time of year. Bottom fishing remains consistently productive. Start in about 100 feet of water and work your way offshore. There are still a few keeper sea bass around, along with plenty of vermilion snapper, scamp grouper, and amberjack. Squid on a double-hook rig works great for sea bass and snapper, while live cigar minnows or pinfish are the preferred bait for grouper. Both can be caught using Sabiki rigs. One often-overlooked fishery is freelining for big barracuda. These “silver bullets” strike aggressively, make blistering runs, and put on incredible aerial displays. They’re commonly stacked around shipwrecks and the buoys marking artificial reefs in the 5- to 10-mile range. They simply can’t resist a live pinfish, and the strikes are unforgettable. Gulf Stream – It won’t be long before Gulf Stream fishing really turns on. While there are fish to be found now, the water remains extremely warm and fast-moving— not the ideal combination for the pelagic species we love to target. Toward the end of August, we’ll begin seeing the first wahoo arrive around 20 Fathom. My preferred approach for these early-season fish is high-speed trolling. Once I locate them, I’ll switch over to ballyhoo rigs with wire leaders. Be patient—peak Gulf Stream fishing is just around the corner. See you on the water! While August can be one of the slower months, fall fishing is right around the corner, and some of the best action of the year is just ahead.
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2025
Art Beat
Recovering History
Found Ceramics Molds Spark Memories STORY BY CARLA EDSTROM
B
ack in the 1970s, my best friend’s mom was really into ceramics and went to a class every Wednesday night. It felt a lot like today’s “paint your own pottery” or a fun girls’ night out. She made things like Christmas trees and ashtrays, learned how to paint them, smoked a few cigarettes, and enjoyed a relaxing evening with friends each week. After a few weeks, she’d bring home her creations and show them off. I always loved her Christmas trees the most. Most of us who are a certain age know someone who did ceramics. Or you have the Christmas tree or giant garden frog your grandma made in 1965.
During the 1960s and 70s, ceramic shops were everywhere in America. These places made greenware slip castings using all kinds of molds bought from manufacturers and dealers around the country. There were thousands of molds you could order from catalogs, and many ceramicists liked to collect and own their own molds. The problem with owning these molds is that they take up a lot of space, and some are extremely heavy. When ceramics lost popularity in the 1990s, many molds were
stored away in barns, sheds, and basements, where they were forgotten. Some were damaged by rain or bugs and lost forever. The mold companies went out of business. It wasn’t until the last five years or so that the ceramic hobby started to make a big comeback. During the COVID-19 pandemic, potters and others stuck at home started sharing videos online about finding old piles of molds, pouring them, and learning ceramics. Many people have a similar story. They
shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 18
were given a garage or an abandoned studio full of molds and a kiln. Now, it’s almost a game to grab free molds from Facebook Marketplace and borrow a friend’s truck to drive all the way to South Carolina in the hot, humid weather, to see if there’s a Christmas tree mold. I resisted for years, but I’ve also been drawn into the satisfying world of slip casting. As a potter and pottery teacher, people are always offering me art supplies and, of course, plaster ceramic molds. I’m not
complaining—I wish I had a bigger studio to store them and share them with my students and pottery friends. I really believe these molds are an important part of pottery art history and social history. An artist created every mold design, and many of these designs ended up in millions of homes. Some, like the Christmas trees, never go out of style. There are also some extremely weird molds like the anatomically correct turtles, and all you can say is, “why?” And some that you can’t even identify until you pour them. Many households used the famous and highly sought-after mushroom canisters that grandma made in 1972. Or the avocado green ashtray and frog sponge holders that were a part of every home. Some are quirky or even a little creepy. And then there are the doll molds—there’s no way I’m keeping those in my studio. The history of ceramics reminds us of a gloriously slower time without social media or iPhones. Ceramics of the 1970s usually involved stay-at-home wives and mothers getting together to create art and socialize. I would love to hear your stories of going to do ceramics, maybe going with your mom or friends. Or even about a cherished piece you have. Email me your stories at Carlaedstrom@ gmail.com.
shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 19
Meet Our Southport Team!
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Golf Tips Topped and Thin Shots
Short And Sweet Swing Fixes For Your Game BY NICOLE WELLER, LPGA / PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
O
ne of the most fun aspects of hitting a golf ball is that crisp, solid sound and feel when the ball finds the absolute center of the club face during impact…there’s nothing like it! A friend and colleague of mine who played successfully on Tour for a long time said players expect maybe 3-5 great shots during a round as planned, the rest are mostly acceptable and get the job done. She noted that Tour players miss the ball much better than most golfers though, so their missed shots aren’t as bad. Good misses are key and as long as poor misses are playable and can be advanced, golfers can still score.
What’s happening? Topped shots occur when the bottom of the club head contacts only the top of the golf ball and may hop forward a few feet or some yards forward. It’s not a solid strike at all. Thin shots occur when the bottom of the club head contacts
the equator or middle of the ball and flies out further but doesn’t gain much altitude although it may run a long way, which is great if nothing is in the way and it can roll on its merry way. It’s not pretty but it can work. My first hole-in-one at age 14 with
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my Dad during a practice round at Scituate Country Club in Massachusetts on hole two never made it off the ground. It was a beautiful, thin shot that rolled all the way up the hill and into the hole. The scorecard said 1 — it didn’t say how, and I’m often happy that we aren’t judged with quality scores like in the Olympics. Can you imagine also getting a rating for each shot like an 8.5 or 9.2? You don’t need a perfect 9.9 or 10 to play good golf. The shots just need to move towards the hole in most cases. It’s definitely more fun and there are times we have to be solid to gain trajectory over obstacles and for soft landings.
Possible Causes:
1) The ball is positioned too far forward in the stance nearer the lead foot where the swing arc is beginning to ascend up. Shorter irons tend to be played best near the middle of the stance, longer irons / hybrids / fairway woods mid-forward under the lead eye or ear closer to the target and driver inside the lead foot. 2) The arms (levers) begin extended allowing the club head to reach the ground
at set-up. Unfortunately for a variety of reasons they don’t return back to that low point during impact. The arms and club make a Y at set-up and should return as such but topped or thin shots have the arms look more like a letter W with the arms folded up, lifting the club off the ground during the most important moment, impact. 3) The body’s posture changes taller during the swing. Some may not even begin bent forward enough from the hips at the start and then others may also change posture (spine angle) during the swing. It’s not normal for a body to bend forward and then rotate while in a side bent posture. While many are told they picked up their head, it’s usually not that but the entire spine that the head is connected to that has elevated for whatever reason. To find out which of these causes it might be, contact your local PGA or LPGA teaching professional to figure out how to hit the ball more solidly! Nicole Weller instructs local area golfers at Compass Pointe Golf Club in Leland. For more information on Nicole and her tips / videos, visit www.nicoleweller.com.
FITNESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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SPOTTINGS
Cadet Major Joshua Kreuser, Cadet Major Eric Carrillo, Cadet Major Kyra Crook and Cadet Sergeant Kaleb Danielswere recently recognized by Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR. Chapter members Mary Margaret Tripp and Regent Barbara McIntyre made the presentations on behalf of the chapter. Each cadet received the Outstanding Cadet medal and certificate along with a $150 gift certificate. A graduate of North Carolina Virtual Academy, Kreuser is a member of the Brunswick County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Crook is from North Brunswick High School; Carillo from West Brunswick High School and Daniels from South Brunswick High School. Daughters of the American Revolution is a service organization founded in 1890 for women who can prove direct, blood lineage from a Revolutionary War Patriot. The organization promotes patriotism, education, and historic preservation. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer organization with more than 185,000 members in 3000 chapters across the world. There are more than 100 chapters in North Carolina. The Brunswick Town Chapter has more than 180 members, several of whom descend from Patriots who lived in Brunswick County while fighting for our country’s independence. The chapter’s membership descends more than 700 proven Patriots from the original 13 colonies. Chapter information is available on the Internet at the following URL: https://brunswicktown. ncdar.org/ Brunswick Community College has named Tanner Bullard as the new head coach of the Dolphins softball program. Bullard brings several years of collegiate coaching experience to BCC, most recently serving as an assistant coach at Converse University. During his three seasons with the Valkyries, the program achieved unprecedented success, setting more than 60 school records, including marks for regular-season victories and conference wins, while earning the program’s first-ever victory over a nationally ranked opponent. Under his guidance, 28 student-athletes also received academic recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and Conference Carolinas. Prior to Converse, Bullard served as a graduate assistant coach at UNC Pembroke, where he helped develop student-athletes who earned conference player and pitcher of the week honors, all-conference recognition, all-defensive team selections, and all-tournament honors. “We’re excited to welcome Tanner to Brunswick Community College,” said Robbie Allen, BCC Athletics Director. “He brings a strong coaching background, a passion for developing student-athletes, and a vision for building a competitive program rooted in discipline, teamwork, and academic success. We look forward to the future of Dolphins softball under his leadership.” Bullard said he was drawn to BCC because of its strong sense of community and the opportunity to help grow the softball program. “I’ve always viewed BCC as a hidden gem with tremendous potential,” Bullard said. “My goal is to build consistency in our student-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom. I want to create a culture where our players compete at a high level, support one another, and graduate prepared for whatever comes next.” Brunswick Community College sponsors four intercollegiate athletic programs—baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and softball—and competes at the NJCAA Division I and II levels. Learn more about BCC Athletics at brunswickcc.edu.
shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 22
Planning For Wins
Keeping Fit mill at a slow pace, but the plan I follow is simple, straightforward and effective. I simply do the work, day after day, month after month, year after year.
Making A Simple Plan That Simply Works
Because I simply know it works – and works well.
BY VICTOR FERNANDES
Victor Fernandes is owner of Fernandez Fit, helpjng clients achieve personal and professional success through health and fitness
W
hy does my college refrigerator still work three decades after I purchased it? Because it’s simple. You plug it in. It turns on. It gets cold. It doesn’t have an LED screen and a bunch of technology within it increasing the odds of something malfunctioning. It doesn’t need all that complicated stuff because it has one job to do every day - keep my drinks and snacks cold. And it does its job well. It’s a Welbilt brand after all.
Real quality health and wellness has a similar approach. It’s simple. Eat protein. Move daily. Sleep 7-8 hours a night. Drink water. Manage stress. It doesn’t need all that complicated stuff you find all over social media and the internet – the latest fads and flavors of the week — because it only has one job to do every day—to help you get healthy and fit. And if we do the job right, day after day, it works every time because, unlike those fads and flavors of the week that
come and go, it has survived the test of time. It’s all real simple, but we human beings are a complex, complicated bunch – and we are hard-wired to overcomplicate most anything we attempt to tackle, especially when it comes to our health and wellness. We convince ourselves that if it’s not either complex or complicated, there’s very little that it will work. So, we scour the internet and social media for a plan, any plan, that seems revolutionary (often because some social media influencer tells us so), but really it’s a plan that may provide some shred of results initially but isn’t easily sustainable long term.
expected to do at the time. Then we built off that, by taking simple steps – literally and figuratively – that moved me in the right direction at a pace that was comfortable and manageable enough while still challenging me. That approach has continued day after day, month after month, year after year with consistent success. And even when there have been setbacks along the way, like the Achilles tendon tear I sustained in April 2024, that philosophy remained intact. All it took was scaling back the workouts I did as I continued to rehabilitate from the injury. I couldn’t do what I had done before but following that process gave me the confidence to know that my fitness level would eventually return to where it was. To this day all those years later, with a new coach I began working with three years ago, I take the same simple, stepby-step approach. Of course, I take on much more than 10 minutes on a tread-
Just like that refrigerator of mine, which I purchased in 1992 and then sat in my parents’ shed from 1993 until a handful of years ago, when I stumbled across it while digging through some boxes. There was no way it still worked, I thought to myself. I pulled it out. I plugged it in. It turned on. It turned cold. It works just as well today in the Vicnasium – the home of Fernandes Fit in Bolivia – as it did all those years ago. So, if you’re focused on your health and wellness (as you should be, as we all should be), and if you find yourself struggling with a plan that’s too complex and complicated to maintain long term, we need to talk. Contact me at 814-504-7774 or by email at info@fernandesfit.com, or through my website at fernandesfit.com and the various social media platforms I’m on. Because at Fernandes Fit, Fitness Is Our Business – and if you give it some time, it will work.
That happened to me often in my early adult years, although since the internet and social media didn’t exist back then, my search for the next great plan meant watching what other people at local gyms did and attempt to mimic them. Which worked for a few weeks, perhaps a month or two, but soon became too difficult to maintain much longer. I would get frustrated with the work and lack of legitimate results and then quit – only to follow the same ill-fated process a few months later. Until the day I hired my first health and fitness coach nearly 16 years ago. My first training session was 10 minutes on a treadmill at a very slow pace. That’s all I could do at the time, so that’s all I was
shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 23
History 2026-7 Season Preview
ing! Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027: “A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine.” From a regiment best known for their miraculous bayonet charge at the Battle of Gettysburg, to the postwar lives of these brave men is told by Jared Peatman. Ph.D. He is an award-winning author, and uses history to examine leadership and performance challenges in his over 1,000 seminars.
Brunswick Civil War Round Table STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
T
he Brunswick Civil War Round is pleased to announce its programs for the new season kicking off on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Every month, attendees gather at Hatch Auditorium on the historic grounds of Fort Caswell in Caswell Beach to hear from a diverse group of nationally recognized historians, authors, and educators. True to the organization’s mission, this year’s lineup promises unique, interesting topics, always representing both Northern and Southern viewpoints in an entertaining manner to audiences young and old, men and women. As the organization begins its 17th season, it is worth noting that its programs are the key reason this organization continues to enjoy its enviable reputation as the largest Civil War round table in the country! So please, mark your calendars and join us! A Brief Preview of the 2026 – 2027 Monthly Meetings:
guide. His dramatic assessment of Hill includes insights and incredible stories about this contentious West Point graduate, celebrated for his bravery yet always at the heart of pivotal moments, and fierce controversies.
Tuesday, Sept. 1: Confederate General Robert E. Lee, as portrayed by Thomas Jessee, a nationally renowned living historian returns to take center stage in his Confederate uniform. He is eager to share Lee’s personal insights and answer audience questions about his life, his illustrious military career, and some of his crucial battle-
field decisions. Tuesday, Oct. 6: “The Battle of Olustee” will be discussed by popular guest speaker Capt. Ed Gantt (U.S. Navy, Ret), a dynamic Civil War historian and re-enactor. This little known battle was the largest and bloodiest engagement in Florida, and significant as the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) fought for the U.S. Army displaying significant acts of heroism in a losing battle.
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2027: “Civil War Deserters.” Award-winning historian Judkin Browning, Ph.D., explores who these deserters were, and the various factors that motivated them to leave their units. This includes their changing attitudes over the course of the war. In fact, North Carolina is a classic case study of the entire South since the “Old North State” contributed the greatest number of deserters in the war.
Monday, Oct. 19: The Brunswick Civil War Ladies’ Forum will present “Southport’s Own Kate Stuart” as portrayed by Sue Crippen, a performer and member of the Southport Historical Society. Kate Stuart, a formidable presence in Southport during the Civil War, was considered the matriarch of Southport, and referred to as the Grand Old Lady of North Carolina. Tuesday, Nov. 3: “D.H Hill: I Am So Unlike Other Folks.” First time guest Chris J. Hartley is a frequent Civil War speaker, award-winning author, and battlefield tour
Tuesday, Dec. 1: “The Battle of Fredericksburg.” Frequent guest speaker Chris Mackowski, noted Civil War historian and author shares his perspectives on this battle based on years of personal experience guiding visitors across this battlefield. He always addresses the sheer brutality in one of the most lopsided Union defeats of the war. His presentations are always captivatshallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 24
History Tuesday, May 18, 2027 “Formation of the Confederacy in Early 1861.”Joining us to help celebrate our 17th anniversary is William C. “Jack” Davis, award-winning historian, author of 60 books, and so much more! He will explain how 50 men met in Montgomery, Alabama in February, 1861 simply to talk. The result was the birth of the Confederate government. Jack will provide all the fascinating details.
Swing For Success:
Master Your Game with Nicole Weller Instructing Local Area Golfers at Compass Pointe Golf Club
Golf Digest Best Teacher in State 2023-2024 Top 50 LPGA Teacher
US Kids Golf Master Teacher
Wake Forest University D-1 Scholarship Player
Master’s Degree - Sport Psychology PGA & LPGA National Award-Winner
Tuesday, March 2, 2027: “Sherman’s Engineers during the 1865 Carolinas Campaign.” According to Union Gen. Sherman, his “March to the Sea” was child’s play compared to his engineers’ construction of over 400 miles of roads, nearly 1.5 miles of pontoon bridges, and destroying miles of Confederate railroads. Popular guest speaker Col. Wade Sokolosky (Ret.) shares these incredible feats.
Nicole Weller
LPGA / PGA Golf Teaching Professional
www.nicoleweller.com
912-695-5211
Everyone is cordially invited! Every monthly meeting is another opportunity to be both informed and entertained. Registration always begins at 6:15 pm and programs start at 7 pm. The monthly visitor fee remains at only $10, and it can be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues, which can include a spouse. For more information about the upcoming season, or if you wish to become a member now, please contact president John Butler at Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com, or call him directly at 404-229-9425. Or, visit the group’s website at Brunswickcivilwarroundtable. com. for background, news, and updates.
Tuesday, April 6, 2027: “Raised From Obscurity.” Three rarely discussed cavalry battles were fought in Virginia’s Loudoun Valley, and were a critical prelude to the Battle of Gettysburg. Highly regarded historian Kevin Pawlak reflects on how these cavalry clashes were overlooked by historians despite the fact that the once inferior Federal cavalry began to fight with renewed confidence and aggression.
Available at: THE PAINTED MERMAID Handcrafted Pottery
817 N Howe Street, Southport
w w w. B l u e E a r t h Wo r k s . c o m
SOUTHPORT, NC • BREVARD, NC • FLETCHER, NC • NORTHEAST, MD • BLUEEARTHWORKS.ETSY.COM shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 25
W
CALENDAR
e’ve included events here that are listed as scheduled, 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). Register online for Town of Oak Island programs at www.OakIslandNC.gov/PROGRAMS. — Lisa
August AUG 1 - SEPT 3
LCAC Artist Showcase
The Gallery at the Leland Cultural Arts Center features artist Sabine Baeckmann, and there will be a reception with the artist on August 6, from 6-8 pm at the Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
AUG 6
School Supply Donations Accepted — Dosher Dosher Memorial Hospital’s annual “Operation School Supplies” school supply donation event is scheduled between the hours of 9 am and 1 pm. Residents are invited to drop off new school supplies at the hospital front entrance, which will be donated for the benefit of students served by Communities In Schools of Brunswick County. Participants will be able to “drive through and drop off” donations without having to leave their cars. This event will be held in conjunction with the Communities In Schools annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive which takes place each August, when collection boxes can be found at their thrift shops and local businesses.
AUG 6
Cape Fear A Cappella Concert
and you’re welcome to sing and dance, and just enjoy being an American. The Library is at 8200 E. Oak Island Drive.
AUG 7
Touch a Truck
Kids of all ages are invited to get a close look at some awesome vehicles and meet the men and women who use them to protect the community right here in Brunswick County. The program starts at 9 am at the Southwest Branch Library, 9400 Ocean Highway, Carolina Shores.
AUG 11-13
National Rarities Buying Event at Renee’s Fine Jewelry Turn unwanted items into cash at this buying event. Buyers are looking for gold and silver jewelry, diamonds and fine jewelry, luxury watches and purses, coins and currency, gemstones and sterling silver and estate pieces. Take your items by the shop get a no-obligation evaluation and offer on the spot. The store is at 602 N. Howe St. in Southport, and hours are 10:30 am to 5 pm.
AUG 14-21
American Revolution Experience Exhibit The Brunswick County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have arranged for a traveling exhibit — the American Revolution Experience — to make a stop at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library, 9400 Ocean Hwy (U.S. 17) West, Carolina Shores. The exhibit consists of 12 panels arranged in pairs that cover thematic topics raised by the individuals featured in the exhibition. Examples include “Choosing Sides,” “On the Front Lines” and “Free-
Enjoy a free concert at 3 pm at Barbee Library, Celebrating America’s Hit Parade through the decades. Dust off your saddle shoes and poodle skirts and enjoy the music of Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, American Bandstand with Dick Clark, and the English invasion. In honor of USA 250, Cape Fear A Cappella presents hit music you know, shallottemag.com /August /August 2026/ 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 26
dom or Slavery.” Three touchscreen displays augment the panels – one focused on the featured individuals, one highlighting places connected to those stories that can still be visited and one that includes Trust-produced animated maps that offer deeper context by showing the course of the full Revolutionary War as battles unfolded across the continent. The exhibit may be seen during regular library hours, 9 am to 6 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; 9 am to 7 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
AUG 19
Duck Derby — Kiwanis
The Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island will release 2,000 rubber ducks into the rapids at Oak Island Jungle Golf for the club’s second annual Duck Derby fundraiser. Ducks will race for a $500 first prize. The second-place duck will pay $250, and the third-place duck will be worth $100. A 3:30 pm splashdown is scheduled for this family-friendly event. The Kiwanis offer support to Brunswick County students through reading, tutoring, robotics, leadership development, and more.
Visit https://www.soikiwanis.com/duckderby to adopt a duck ($5) or to take on a whole flock ($20).
AUG 22
Cornhole Tournament — NC VIPS
NC Volunteers in Public Schools will hold a cornhole tournament at AYE! Toro Restaurant located at 1174 Turlington Ave, Leland. Registration will start at noon and bags will start flying at 1 pm. There will be no outside food or drinks allowed. Register through the Scorholio app or register the day of at the tournament. The tournament will have two divisions. The backyard division is for casual players and will cost $40 per two-person team. The advanced division for more competitive players will be $60 per two-person team. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each division. NC VIPS is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in Brunswick County — Reading Buddies spend as little as an hour a week to help get students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. No prior experience is required and new volunteers are always welcome. Visit http://www.ncvips.com/ for more information.
AUG 29
Summerween Party at Needful Things Get your spooky vibes started early this year with a specialty drink from Moody Bean, and fun fall activities like dressing in your favorite witch getup and decorating your own mini broom. The festivities are at the Needful Things bookstore, 114 E. Nash St., Southport, starting at 10 am.
AUG 29
Contra Dance — Leland
Join in on this fun and approachable partner line dance with English and Scottish roots. A beginner lesson will run from 7 to 7:30 pm, followed by open dancing. The dance goes until 10 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, and the cost is $15.
Wall
SEPT 1
Annual Meeting and Membership Appreciation Event Friends of the Library Southport-Oak Island will hold its annual meeting at 1 pm at the Southport Community Building. The event features special guest and author Mary Kay Andrews, and registration is required. The group is also raffling off a private dinner with the author set for August. 31. Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the fundraising campaign for the Barbee Library expansion.
Aug 14 — Brit Floyd - Dark Side of The Moon Aug 15 — Leann Rimes Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St., Wilmington
SEPT 5
Oak Island celebrates the end of another great season with this all-day music festival, noon to 8 pm at the Middleton Park complex, SE 46th and Dolphin Drive. The festival features four bands, along with food trucks on site and adult beverages for purchase.
SEPT 5
The Southport Lions Club hosts this car show is 8 am to 2 pm in downtown Southport. There will be lots of cars and trucks to see and hamburgers and hot dogs available for purchase. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Southport Fire Department.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College 701 N. Third St., Wilmington
Aug 7 — The Wallflowers Aug 8 — Dumpstaphunk
Visit https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZ917A2qV/greenfield-lake-amphitheater-events for tickets.
Summer Concert Series Bands by the Beach
Middleton Park Complex 4610 Dolphin Drive Concerts are 6-8:30 pm Aug 7 — I-42 Band
Aug 14 — 52nd Street Band Aug 21 — Hoods Creek Aug 28 — The Conspiracy
Marina Park
Concerts are 6-9 pm Aug 12 — Snapback Aug 26 — Austin Sept 2 — Chairman of the Board
Boiling Spring Lakes Summer Concerts Spring Lake Park 210 Pine Road
Concerts are 6-8 pm Aug 7 — Parrot Party Duo
Aug 1 — Graham Nash
Calabash Summer Concert Series
Aug 7 — The Oak Ridge Boys Aug 13 — Brit Floyd - Best of The
The season starts off at Bridgeview Park and changes to Block Q midseason Concerts are 6:30-8 pm
Aug 16 — Continental Divide
Bald Head Island
Car Show — Southport
Holden Beach Summer Concerts
Check https://www.thalianhall.org/ calendar for more information.
Oak Island Summer Concerts
Sunset on Summer
Aug 4 — Chocolate Chip & Company
Aug 2 — The Sand Band
1941 Amphitheatre Dr., Wilmington
Fall is coming, and it’s time to get your paddles out. This kayak tour traverses Sturgeon Creek to Eagles Island, an area with history dating back to 1671. The tour is 1:45 to 5 pm and the fee is $75. This 6-mile trek is for intermediate to advanced paddlers, and supplies are included.
Concerts are 6-8:30 pm
Aug 13-23 — West Side Story by the Opera House Theatre Company
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
SEPT 4
Kayak Adventures
868 Persimmon Road
Calabash Town Park
Aug 9 — North Tower Aug 30 — The Main Event Sept 6 — Chairman of the Board
The Peggy Hughes Summer Concert Series Ocean Isle Beach Town Center Park, 11 E. 2nd St. Concerts are 6:30-8 pm
Aug 7 — Special Occasion Band Aug 14 — The Embers featuring Craig Woolard Aug 21 — Uptown Easy Aug 28 — Julio & The Saltines Sept 6 — The Extraordinaires
Sunset Sound Waves
Sunset Beach Town Park 26 Sunset Blvd North Concerts start at 6 pm Aug 5 — North Tower Aug 12 — Pushh Aug 19 — Pink Slips Aug 26 — Whitewing Dove Sept 2 — Julio and The Saltines
Shallotte Concert Series
Mulberry Park Amphitheater 123 Mulberry Street Concerts are 7-9 pm
Aug 6 — Julio & The Saltines Aug 13 — Jack Jack 180 Aug 20 — Too Much Sylvia Aug 27 — Jebb Mac Band Sept 3 — North Tower Sept 10 — The Extraordinaires
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CALENDAR
Southport Summer Concert Series Franklin Square Park, Howe Street Concerts are 6-8 pm
JAug 6 — Burning Bridges Jazz Aug 13 — Latitude Adjustment Aug 20 — The Doorsmen Aug 27 — Honey & Bones Sept 3 — Salt Road
Sunset Beach Pier 101 W. Main St.
Concerts are 6-8 pm unless otherwise listed Aug 6 — Honeycutt & Co. Aug 13 — Salt Road Aug 20 — MacDaddy’s Aug 27 — Sea & Sand Band Sept 3 — Johnny Toppings Sept 6 — Labor Day Weekend Show featuring Trublmkrz from 1-3 pm and Randy Knight and Parrot Party from 3-5 pm
Moonlight Movies Town Center Park 11 E. 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach
Movies start around dusk (7:15-ish) Aug 5 — Shorts
Aye 12 — Ruby Gillman: ‘Teenage Kracken’ Aug 19 — Middle School - The Worst Years of My Life
OPEN AIR MARKETS Oak Island Farmers Market
The Market can be found on the Middleton Park Fields, SE 46th Street and Dolphin Drive, on Mondays from 8 am to 1 pm. Shop for local fresh produce, homemade jams, cakes, and a variety of homemade goods, all while enjoying ocean breezes.
Summer Market in Southport
The summer market begins May 6, and will be open 9 am to 2 pm on Wednesdays (except the week of July 4th). Find the Market in Waterfront Park
at East Bay Street.
OneLove Market
NC 179/Beach Drive SW (field next to RE/Max This community based-non-profit helps local rescue organizations with financial support. Shop, Munch and Mingle! Enjoy music, free craft table, fresh produce and other vendors. Wednesdays 8:30-12:30 through August
Sunset Beach Town Park
206 Sunset Blvd North (mainland)
The Market begins April 30, and will be held on Thursdays throughout the season from 9 am to 1 pm.
1st Saturday Artisan Fair — Olde Southport Village Shoppes This market at the Olde Southport Village Shoppes (1102 N. Howe St.) will feature artisan vendors, handmade goods, vintage treasures, live painting, gifts, self-care products, fizzy sodas, and fun finds for everyone. The fair is the first Saturday of the month, 10 am to 4 pm.
ONGOING EVENTS
Storytime By the Sea
Oak Island hosts this program for children 12 and younger, which features a coastal-themed story and a craft to take home. The program is 10-11 am on July 8, 15, 22, and 29, and Aug 5 at the Town’s 801 Ocean Drive events center. The program is free, but pre-registration is required (OakIslandNC.gov/ PROGRAMS)
Art in the Park - Ocean Isle Beach Children can make a new art project each week at Ocean Isle Beach’s Town Center Park, 11 E. Second St. The program is 10-11 am on Tuesdays through Aug. 11. Art in the Park is weather dependent.
Tide Dye Tuesdays
Make your own beach tye dye t-shirt with the Town of Holden Beach. Tide Dye Tuesdays through Aug. 4, 1-2:30 pm (participants must be ib line by 2 pm) at Bridgeview Park Picnic Shelter,
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125 Davis St. There is a cost for the shirt, depending on the size needed. Check Facebook for weather updates.
Friends of the Library
The Once More used bookstore, at Southport Realty (727 N. Howe St.), with new-to-you books, is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays 10 am to noon. Visit https:// folsoi.org/blog/ for information on upcoming programs. Barbee Library, 8200 E. Oak Island Drive: Call 910-278-4283 for details on children’s story time and other programs. The Lifelong Learners Group meets at 10 am on Thursdays. Other programs offered at the library include chair yoga, one-on-one tech support on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, and more. Harper Library, 109 W. Moore St., Southport: The Southport Historical Society’s “Second Tuesday Talk” is planned for 10 am on Aug. 11 at the library. Sue Crippen, popular speaker on Southport history, will introduce audiences to Kate Stuart, whose hospitality made Southport a destination for visitors from around the world. Celebrated for her intelligence, business acumen, charms, and cooking, she was equally comfortable with a hunting rifle, a fishing line, and a swamp garden. When she died, a Wilmington newspaper wrote that “a woman like Kate lives but once in a century.” The meeting is free to attend and all are welcome. Reservations required: 910-457-6237. One-on-one tech support is offered on Thursdays, 1-3 pm. Leland Library, 487 Village Road NE: Baby storytime is at 10 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Pre-K and older storytime is at 11 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Rourk Library, 5068 Main St., Shallotte Baby storytime is at 10 am on Mondays, Stay and Play is at 10:30, Crochet and Knitting is at 10:30 am, Library Legends: Teen Chess and Board Games Club are at 4 pm. On Tuesdays, Hand Embroidery is at 3:30 pm. Zen Coloring
at 10 am on Wednesdays and Journaling Club is at 3:30 pm. On Thursdays, the library hosts storytime for Toddlers & Pre-K at 10:30 am and Stay & Play at 11 am. Southwest Brunswick Branch, 9400 Ocean Hwy West (U.S. 17), Carolina Shores: Road Scholar Lecture: Making Political History in London’s Westminster District is Aug. 3 at 1 pm; Dinosaur Escape with Indiana Bones is Aug 4 at 5:30 pm for children ages 12 and older; and Dinosaur Terrarium making is set for Aug 14 at 1 pm for children aged 5 and older (adult help is required). There are also classes and group meetings for learning Italian and various crafting techniques.
NC Maritime Museums - Southport 204 E. Moore St.
The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 am to 4 pm at 204 E. Moore St., Southport. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and there is a gift shop too offering maritime and seasonal items for visitors of all ages. Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum.com.
Franklin Square Art Gallery
The Gallery is open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday and can be found next to Franklin Square Park.
First Friday Gallery Walk — Southport The First Friday Gallery Walk is 5-7 pm in Southport at participating galleries, such as Lantana’s, The Rickey Evans Gallery, the Franklin Square Art Gallery, Artisans on Howe and Southport Studio Artists. Stroll along, or jump on the trolley, browse in the shops, and see what local artists have to offer. The first Gallery Walk for the year will be March 7.
Oak Island Recreation Department Join the Striders Club at various locations and dates/times to get out and about with a group or try your hand at art with a new class. There are book clubs, kayak tours in the Davis Canal, surf fishing lessons, and much more. Visit https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/
Meet The Author
oakislandnc for details on programs.
Town of Leland/Parks & Recreation Check out https://www.townofleland. com/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources for more information on classes and programs, including starting an art journal, pottery, gardening, writing creative nonfiction, acting, dance and more.
Bingo at the Elks Lodge — Oak Island
Bingo games are on the second and fourth Tuesdays at the Lodge, 106 E. Dolphin Drive, Oak Island. Games are open to the public; no one under 16 and no outside food or drinks allowed. Doors open to the public at 5:45 pm with games starting at 6:30 pm. Snacks and drinks available for purchase (cash or checks only). Winner takes all coverall.
Battleship North Carolina — near Leland Tour the USS NORTH CAROLINA and participate in group programs and special programming throughout the year. Visit https://battleshipnc.com/. The battleship site is at 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington (west side of the Cape Fear River).
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site 8884 St. Philips Rd. SE, Winnabow
There is plenty to do and see, with a museum, historic ruins, great information on the site’s history, and some of the most beautiful riverfront property in the County. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. .Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach
The Museum is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm (until 7 pm on Tuesday and Thursday), and Sunday noon to 4 pm. The Museum is not open on Saturdays in the summer. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ for the programs calendar, which includes lots of special programs for the summer, including the Shark Soiree Aug 3-7, Sandbar Lectures Tuesdays at 5:30, and
Book Events Throughout the County
Southwest Brunswick Branch Library 9400 Ocean Hwy West (U.S. 17), Carolina Shores
Snakes Alive! Thursdays at 6 pm. .Ingram Planetarium
7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach
The Planetarium is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm; dome shows start on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm. Laser shows are Thursdays through Saturdays at 6 pm and 7 pm. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ ingram-planetarium/ to see the show schedule.
Brunswick Newcomer’s Club — Southport
The Brunswick Newcomer’s Club is a non-profit social club of more than 300 adults who live in Southeastern Brunswick County, including the Boiling Springs, Bolivia, Leland, Oak Island, St. James, Shallotte, Southport and Supply areas. Meetings are held the third Tuesday morning of every month at 9:30 a.m. in Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport. For more information visit: Brunswick Newcomer’s Club or contact us at brunswick.newcomers@gmail.com or find them on Facebook. Please note that the group does not meet in June, July or August, but will resume meeting in September..
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.
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!
Aug 7 Local Author Talk with Janell Hart Meet local author Janell Hart as she discusses her writing journey, inspiration, and published work. Enjoy an opportunity to ask questions, connect with the author, and learn more about the creative process. The program begins at 4 pm, an registration is required; visit https://brunsco. libcal.com/. Sept 3 Author Talk with Angela Enos Angela Enos will talk about her new book, “Meet the Neighbors.” Enos, a retired legal assistant, is the author of the “Under the Roof” series, and her new book introduces a new character — a therapy dog named Heidi Sue. The program is 3:3 to 4:30 at the library, and registration is required; visit https://brunsco.libcal.com/.
The Pelican Bookstore in Sunset Beach hosts a series of book signings, held at the Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road, Ocean Isle Beach (mainland). The festivities at the Winery start at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $45 and include a glass of wine, light hors d’oeuvres, a copy of the book, and a meet and greet with the author. For more details and a longer synopsis of the book selections, visit www.pelicanbookstore.com. Sept 18 “Falling for Peachtree Bluff” — Kristy Woodson Harvey In Peachtree Bluff, a sweet, cozy small town, family is everything. Here, the air is crisper, the water is calmer, but, when it comes to the Murphy family, nothing is ever quite as simple as it seems. Youngest sister Emerson is busy planning her dream wedding to Kyle. But her difficulty expanding her family is overshadowing her joy. Pregnant middle sister Sloane and her husband Adam’s dream house has turned into a nightmare. Everything is over time, over budget, and Sloane is over it. Eldest sister Caroline, as always, is there to swoop in and get her sisters’ lives under control. Until her focus is more than a little shifted by Emerson’s hunky costar who manages to sweep her right off her feet—just as her not-quite-ex-husband decides it’s high time he begged Caroline for a second chance. Matriarch Ansley and her new husband Jack have finally hit their stride. But when a scandal that would affect every single Peachtree Bluff citizen comes to light—and it seems like Jack just might be at the center of it—Ansley questions whether he is actually the man she thought he was. Through it all, these women must rely on their powerful family bonds, and the quirky characters and small-town charm of the place that, no matter what, always calls them home.
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Looking for something to do besides going to the beach? Here you’ll find lots of fun for the entire family. Be sure to check before you go as hours may change and some attractions may be seasonal
Attractions INGRAM PLANETARIUM
7625 High Market Street Sunset Beach (mainland) https://museumplanetarium.org/ingram-planetarium/ Enjoy musical laser shows and learn more about the night sky; check website for schedule and tickets. Hands-on activities and interactive displays are available in the Paul Dennis Science Center, and admission to the Center is free.
MUSEUM OF COASTAL CAROLINA 21 E. 2nd St. Ocean Isle Beach https://museumplanetarium.org/
Learn more about our coastal environment, with a live touch tank, saltwater aquariums, interactive exhibits, lectures and family programs. The Mu-
Attractions Guide
seum is open 10 am to 4 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 5-7 pm on the second Tuesday for sandbar lectures.
SHALLOTTE RIVER SWAMP PARK
5550 Watts Road SW Ocean Isle Beach (mainland) https://www.shallotteriverswamppark. com/ This adventure park features zip line tours, an aerial park, guided ATV tours and eco-tours on a swamp boat.
PLANET FUN/STARZ GRILL 349 Whiteville Road Shallotte https://planetfuncenter.com/
This family entertainment center offers arcade games, laser tag, and bowling (including cosmic bowling on weekends), many TVs for watching all the games, and a restaurant.
SHALLOTTE RIVERWALK
Gazebos at 159 Cheers St. and 146 Wall St.
The Riverwalk is open from dawn to dusk, and features a quarter mile boardwalk, gazebos at each end and beautiful views of the Shallotte River.
OLD BRIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 109 Shoreline Drive West Sunset Beach (mainland) http://www.theoldbridge.org/
The old swing bridge that used to connect Sunset Beach to the mainland has been preserved as a museum. The Museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm, with stories about the Sunset Beach Swing Bridge tender house, local history, and more.
STUMP HILL FARMS
2030 Ash-Little River Road NW Ash https://www.stumphillfarms.com/
The farm is open on Saturdays in April and October, and by appointment or for special events other times of year, with hay rides, games for children, and educational opportunities covering bee pollination and local crops.
GRAYCE WYNDS FARM AND THE WILD HORSE RESERVE AT GRAYCE WYNDS 2450 Grayce Wynds Drive Supply, NC 28462
Visit the farm, take a guided tour, or participate in special events. Check https://www.graycewyndsfarm.com/ for tours available and events.
TREASURE ISLAND MINIATURE GOLF 3445 Holden Beach Rd. Holden Beach (910) 842-4878
Parks
There are so many great spots to get out and enjoy this beautiful county. We’ve listed a few of the main parks here, but keep an eye out for smaller pocket parks and water access areas.
HOLDEN BEACH PAVILION AND BRIDGEVIEW PARK
The Pavilion is tucked in next to the west side of the bridge on the island, and Bridgeview Park is a couple blocks down the Intracoastal Waterway, at Davis Street.
TOWN CENTER PARK 11 E. Second St. Ocean Isle Beach
This town park has an amphitheater, interactive fountain, bocce ball court, playground, and plenty of bike parking.
SHALLOTTE PARK 5550 Main St.
Ball fields, tennis courts, basketball court, a playground, picnic shelters and a dog park.
MULBERRY STREET PARK SILVERY COAST WINERY
6680 Barbeque Road Ocean Isle Beach https://silvercoastwinery.com/
Winery tours, tastings, and shop for wine accessories and gifts; event rental space also available.
OCEAN ISLE MINI GOLF Go Under The Sea at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach
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6391 Beach Drive SW Ocean Isle Beach http://oceanisleminigolf.com
123 Mulberry Street Shallotte
Picnic shelters, an amphitheater, and home to Shallotte’s outdoor markets
SUNSET BEACH TOWN PARK
Sunset Boulevard North (mainland)
Stroll through five acres of live oaks along the Intracoastal Waterway, sit a spell on a bench, do some fishing or visit the Veterans Memorial.
OCEAN ISLE BEACH PARK 6483 Old Georgetown Road
The Park features 2 playgrounds, eight tennis courts, four pickleball courts, baseball and softball fields, a dog park, basketball courts, an amphitheater, picnic shelter and a multipurpose field for soccer/football with walking trail and fitness stations.
WACCAMAW PARK
5855 Waccamaw School Road NW, Ash This park features ball fields, basketball court, tennis courts, playground, bocce ball and a nine-hole disc golf course.
CAROLINAS COASTAL ADVENTURE TOURS 2000 Sommerset Road SW Ocean Isle Beach (mainland) https://www.ccattours.com/
SALT FEVER GUIDE SERVICE
21 Causeway Drive Ocean Isle Beach https://www.saltfeverguideservice. com/
HURRICANE FLEET - LEAVES FROM THE CALABASH WATERFRONT
SUMMER IS HERE! IS YOUR WARDROBE READY FOR TAKEOFF?
https://hurricanefleet.com/
CALABASH FISHING FLEET
Fishing Piers SUNSET BEACH FISHING PIER 101 W. Main St. Sunset Beach http://sunsetbeachpier.com/
OCEAN ISLE BEACH PIER 1 W. First St. Ocean Isle Beach https://oibpier.com/
Fishing Charters Boat Tours Boat Rentals OCEAN ISLE FISHING CENTER 65 Causeway Drive Ocean Isle Beach https://www.oifc.com/
TOUR H2O
Locations in Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Southport https://tourh2o.com/
9945 Nance St. Calabash https://calabashfishingfleet.com/
HOLDEN BEACH FISHING
https://www.holdenbeachfishing.com/
HOLDEN BEACH WATERSPORTS
3325 Old Ferry Road SW Holden Beach https://www.holdenbeachwatersports. com/index.html
BLUE PLANET WATERSPORTS
7156 Beach Drive Ocean Isle Beach https://blueplanetwatersports.com/
HOLDEN BEACH JET SKI RENTALS 1305 Cedar Landing Road SW Supply https://www.holdenbeachjetski.com
Great Clothes - Great Prices
SORTA SALTY FISHING CHARTERS
4956 LONG BEACH ROAD SE, SOUTHPORT • (910)454-0816
Holden Beach https://sortasalty.com
OLLIE RAJA CHARTERS
3238 Pompano St. SW Holden Beach/Oak Island https://holdenbeachfishingcharters. com/
MONDAY–FRIDAY: 9am - 8pm SATURDAY: 10am - 6pm • SUNDAY: 12pm - 5pm
labelshopper.com
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