Feb 2026 Southport Magazine

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

Thisyear, more of you sent us photos of your pets than ever before, and that makes us happy. I think that we can learn a lot from our pets. Copper the News Hound reminds me to be thankful for loved ones. Whenever we walk in the door, whether we’ve been gone all day or just walked out to check the mail, he wags and bounces around in joy at seeing his person again. We walk about the same route most days, but Cooper never gets bored. His super-powered sniffer always finds new things to sniff, he sees (and sometimes tries to chase) every squirrel and bird, he’s thrilled to meet other dogs or people on our walks, and he takes the time to greet each one. He reminds me that there’s untold amounts of interesting and joyful things out there in the world if we just pay the attention required to see them. He knows the simple value of a snuggly nap, of treats no matter how small, of toys no matter how tattered and torn. Small things can and do mean a lot, and my life is better when I remember that. I know from your emails that your own pets make your lives richer, and we can’t thank you enough for sharing them with us and with our readers. Happy New Year, and wag lots!— Jeffrey

STAFF

EDITOR

Jeffrey Stites

editor@southportmag.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Lisa P. Stites

lisa@southportmag.com

LEAD DESIGNER

Liz Brinker

lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS

Chuck and Sue Cothran

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Carla Edstrom

Patty Langer

Loiuse Sheffield-Baccarny

Janet Fortney

Dana Jordan

Lisa P. Stites

Jeffrey Stites

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jeffrey Stites

PUBLISHER & SALES

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@southportmag.com 910-471-7741

CONSULTANT

Kris Beasley

PO Box 10175, Southport, NC 28461

Southport Magazine is published once a month by

Live Oak Media with an extra publication in July for the Southport Fourth of July Festival.

The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of the staff.

Annual Subscription: $45

jeff@southportmag.com 910-471-7741

Southport Cookies

Bakery Moves To Downtown Southport

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

Many of you have already fallen in love with the baked goodies coming out of Southport Cookies since it opened in the Southport Village shops two years ago this month. Now the business is moving to a new, larger, location at 122 North Howe St., right in the heart of Southport’s downtown, and even more people will discover the best cookies in Southport! We got a pre-opening tour of the new bakery and retail space from owner Joelle Ingram and took the opportunity to ask a few questions about her big move.

For anyone who might not have discovered you yet, can you tell us bit about what Southport Cookies is?

All of our cookies and baked goods are both gluten free and vegan (no dairy and no egg). For those who aren’t vegan or gluten free, we promise you will not be able to tell the difference!

When did you open in the Southport Village Shops?

February 2024

How did you come upon the opportunity to move downtown? Were you actively looking for a bigger space?

We have been baking in a tiny build-

ing with no insulation! The summers are hot and the humidity has made baking a challenge. The winters are so cold and we have trouble staying warm at times. That, combined with the fact that we have totally outgrown our little cottage led us to search for a larger, more visible location.

What were the biggest challenges that having this new larger space will help you overcome?

Having central heat and air is a game changer! All of the baking was done from a regular kitchen oven, and now having a com-

Plenty of room in the new refrigerator!

mercial convection oven will enable us to bake up to 125 cookies at once and in half the time.

Your new space started out as a doctor’s office and most recently was a Margaret Rudd office. What were the biggest challenges to transforming it into a bakery?

Upgrading the plumbing and electrical to accommodate our appliances.

What new things are you able to offer now?

T-shirts and hoodies! Inside seating! Grab and go cookies and candy!

What is your personal favorite cookie? What is the most popular, if that’s different?

I love our original chocolate chip! It’s definitely very popular as is the SS Southport and our oatmeal cream pie.

Southport Memories

Talking History and Family With Robert Potter

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

WhenI got my hands on Thomas Harrelson’s book on Southport artist and photographer Art Newton, I really wished I’d been able to talk about old Southport with Art Newton himself. So, when I met Robert Potter selling copies of his new book during last year’s Plein Air Festival, I knew I had to sit down with him and hear his stories. His book, entitled “Robert’s Memories of Southport In Art And Sculpture,” is full of the history of Southport and the story of Potter’s life on the water, both here and abroad.

Lisa and I met up with Robert and his wife Jeanne at Potter’s Seafood on the Old Yacht Basin and it was the perfect spot to sit back and listen to stories.

This is Robert’s second book, the first being more of a family history. I wondered what moved him to take on a second book.

“If you’re asking me what motivated me to do this, well, I grew up right here,” Robert said. “This piece of property right here has been in our family for over 100 years. [He points across the street] That was my great grandfather’s house. That’s where my father grew up, and my grandfather and all. So I grew up in this area, but my grandfather and my father didn’t have a whole lot of stories to tell me and very few pho-

tographs from back in the old days. They didn’t have a lot of photographs, a few family members, maybe, but not a lot of stories and photographs, so I decided, for my children, and our family coming along later, that I would try to record my memories, and what it was like to grow up here.

“And that’s what started a lot of this, a lot of these art pieces that maybe new people in town don’t recognize, but with a little caption or a little story to go with it. It’s a lot of things that I remember. If I don’t remember the exact scene, I remember parents and grandparents maybe talking about this particular thing or something, so I wanted to record that. There were, in some areas, in some instances, there were no photographs to depict what I wanted to show, so I would paint.”

He said he was encouraged by friends to share the collection of artwork he’d accumulated over his lifetime. “Over the years, Jeanne and I have accumulated quite a lot of art. We don’t sell the original works, so we’ve got an attic full up there,” Robert said. “And we’ve had friends ask us about it, saying we should probably put it in a book for the public to see all in one place. So we thought about that and talked to a publisher in Wilmington, the same one that did Art Newton’s book. And we worked with him for about a year, putting it all together, getting all the paintings photographed and digitized.”

Robert joined the Navy after high school and served in Vietnam. When he returned home, he went to work at Sunny Point for the Army on a fire boat, working his way up from deckhand to master. “And then I left there and went to the (Southport-Fort Fisher) ferry. The ferry was looking for a captain, and I already had my master’s license, so I went there for five years,” he said.

In 1976 he went to the Panama Canal as

a tug boat captain. “Actually, there were some other families from Southport that lived and worked down there,” he said. “And, of course, we knew some people down there, and we went down for a couple of years, and then left there and came to Wilmington. You’ll see a lot of scenes of ships and bridges and things in Wilmington, in Wilmington Harbor, in the book. I was a pilot up there, a docking pilot.

“And then I went to work for the Navy, first in Charleston, as a Navy pilot, and then down to Kings Bay, Georgia, as a pilot with the submarine base. Then I retired in 2005, and Jeanne and I moved back to Southport,” he said.

When I asked how long Jeanne and he had been married, Robert said that was whole different story.

“Jeanne and I dated in Southport High School. We dated for, I guess, a couple years. And then, at that time, the draft was enforced, so I knew I needed to go ahead and go into the military,” he said. “So right after high school, I went right into the Navy, and they shipped me right over to Vietnam, and Jeanne went off to nursing school, and then the Air Force, and we didn’t see each other for 40 years.

“I was married previously to another girl from Southport, and she passed away, and a few years after that, I found Jeanne’s number on the internet, and I gave her a call. So, I gave her a call, and it went to her answering machine, and about, I guess, a couple weeks later, you called me back.”

“Yeah. Yeah, to sit on it for a minute,” Jeanne said.

Robert continued, “So we started seeing each other and we were married in 2005, the same year I retired from the Navy. And we…here we are. We’ve been married 20 years.”

From looking through Robert’s book, it

was clear the Southport he grew up In was a very different place even from the Southport I first knew when we moved here in the mid-1990s. In the book, he mentions having a pet goat.

“We had goats and chickens, we had pigs from Bald Head. They would catch pigs and bring them in, and we’d keep them in the backyard and butcher them later,” he explained. “And of course we had chickens, ducks, rabbits, and a billy goat, you know, we had a billy goat in the backyard.

“I could leave Southport High School, walking home in the afternoon, and get about a halfway from the school to my home, and if I whistled real loud, he would start to bah. He’d hear me coming, you know? And, yeah, me and Billy explored all back in the woods where Indigo Plantation is now. That was all forest, nobody lived back there. And we would go all back down through the dirt roads, and I put a little knapsack on his back with an RC Cola and a Moon Pie, or whatever we could

find, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Those were the days.

“There’s so many people that are new to Southport that could not imagine it looking like that,” Robert said. “There were, when we were growing up here, there were stray dogs everywhere, cats everywhere. It wasn’t unusual to hear cows mooing in the background, just on the backside, where the marina is now, used to be a cow pasture all out in the marsh. We used to have cows all out in the marsh grass where the marina is. And so there were horses and wagons around town, still occasionally being used to haul manure and stuff like that. So we grew up in a perfect time for Southport, I think.”

Robert said that his maternal grandparents were involved in farming and his Potter side with fishing. “And so I grew up halfway between those two worlds.”

In his book, Robert tells of his great grandfather leaving his school books on a dock and running off to sea as a boy, so I had to ask about that story too.

“The family were living in Wilmington, and they, at that time, were working along the waterfront,” he said. “There was a lot of industry, the wood industry, and turpentine, and that sort of thing being shipped out of Wilmington. So the family were working along the waterfront, and he, as a little boy, for some reason, decided he was ready to go to sea. I guess he saw all these ships coming in and out all the time, and so they found his books (on the dock), and determined that he had sailed out on a ship to the West Indies as a cabin boy. And from then on, that started our side of the family worked on the water. Our family’s been working on the water ever since.”

We met the Potters at the Potter’s Seafood Market, and before we began our talk, Robert was asking about the crab

catch. I said I assumed there was still a lot of seafood eaten in his house.

“Yeah, when they, right now, he’s catching a lot of shrimp, so we fill up our freezer with shrimp to get us through the winter,” he said. He said he was also planning to take a boat out with his brother Tookie the week after we spoke.

Robert isn’t the only artist in the family. His brother paints decorative buoys seen all over Southport, and especially around Potter’s Seafood’s docks. His sister was also an artist and liked to draw. “I’ve probably taken it to a different level,” he said. “I’ve never had any formal training, but I enjoy it. It has been a distraction over the years, so I can kind of, instead of staying home worrying about my next ship coming in, I could draw something or think something.”

Now, Robert says, he hopes his artwork can introduce people to the Southport he knows.

“I think what we’re trying to do is portray that time in a way that people may en-

joy the pictures, and they may not understand what the complete story is, but we’ll give them enough of a caption to at least pique their interest a little bit, where they may do some research and maybe discover the sleepy little town that we grew up in.” Robert’s book is available at Potter’s Seafood, Needful Things Bookstore, and through the Southport Historical Society’s online book shop.

Community Be The One

Helping Prevent Veteran Suicides

STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE, PHOTOS BY TONY SWEGLE

Veterans will tell you with pride the date they entered military service and the date they were discharged. Many get jobs as civilians that reflect their military service — like Air Traffic Control or Engineering. But some veterans struggle once they are discharged. Civilian life is far different from their structured military experience and often it is difficult for them to adjust. The pressures of finding a job, finding a place to live and catching up with all the changes in the world and their families that happened when they were in service, can be overwhelming.

Most will adjust over time. Some will fall into depression and unfortunately, others will give up and resort to suicide — 22 a day is the current count according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. That means that every year, more than 8,000 veterans take their own life. In many cases, they have survived battles but could not survive re-acclimating to civilian life.

But finally, there is a ray of hope. Nationally, the American Legion started the Be The One initiative with the mission of significantly reducing veteran suicide by providing peer support and educating communities on how to recognize and help “at

risk” veterans. The American Legion aims to take the stigma out of mental health issues that often occur due to PTSD, hopelessness, homelessness and despair. Their goal is to train 100,000 people in suicide prevention and encourage each person to “Be The One,” to help a veteran.

John Hacker, a past Post Commander of the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post #68, was recognized by the City of Wilmington in September 2025, with a Proclamation making September “Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month,” and praising the efforts of the American Legion for their work in suicide awareness and prevention. In December, Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman also named John “Citizen of the Year,” for his work on the “Be The One” program.

“I’ve been involved with the issue of veteran suicide for a long time,” John said. “I lived in California and started to investigate the numbers, the reasons, and the level of assistance these veterans were receiving. I was hit hard by the sheer numbers of those who had taken their own lives. I moved to Leland five years ago and continue to try to raise awareness and coordinate resources to save those who fought for our country.”

Describing his research into the issue of suicide, John said, “The most common problem is the need for resources for mental health services, substance abuse services, food and utilities. Multiple service organizations in our area do a great job providing food and assistance with utility bills, but many vets are ashamed to admit that they can’t pay their bills. They can’t pay the rent, they lose their housing, they

lose their car and then some even lose their family. The longer their issues go on, the more depressed they get. That depression sucks them into a void of hopelessness.

“Be The One is all about collaborating with service providers and making sure the community is aware of the issue of veteran suicide,” John said. “As the North Carolina Committee Chairperson of the Be The One initiative, I and my team often rely on critical input from the five Division Commanders for this initiative throughout the state, asking them ‘How can we get the word out?’ and ‘How do we coordinate resources?’ A year ago, I was looking through a book from the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It listed various resources, agencies for assistance and had all kinds of great information to help veterans. But I thought to myself, if you don’t have the book, how do you know where to go or what to do? There are agencies that can help, but they are like moving parts in a big machine. They are so busy with the work they do — they don’t have time to be the outreach arm. The Be The One team went to work to be that outreach arm.”

John turned to the Veterans

Administration for guidance. He said, “The VA is putting everything on an app and that’s great, but there was still no resource coordination. If you are homeless, you go to one app, if you need rent assistance, it’s another app, and so on. The “Be The One” team came up with a link that connected everything. We took that link and put it in a QR code, then put this QR code on a hard plastic card. That QR code will take you to an app detailing combined resources (more than 65 resource references at this time), thus providing for instant access to information to be used by law enforcement organizations and first responders in the field. This allows them to immediately refer veterans to organizations that can provide help for their circumstances. We also had marketing material made up with this QR code, and we encouraged people to prominently display that material so veterans could easily access resources of all kinds by going to one place. This is a huge win for the program, but the biggest thing that will move the needle to reduce suicide is the community at large and reaching out to provide this resource to those in need.”

In a recent Be The One presentation, John talked about the SAVE Program. “In order to understand who is at risk, you must know how to approach the person. You must engage them and make them feel comfortable talking to you. SAVE teaches us to recognize the Signs of suicide, Ask the question: Are you thinking of suicide? Validate the veterans’ experience, and Encourage/Expedite getting help.”

Recognize the warning signs of suicide (from John’s presentation):

-Expressing hopelessness, having feel-

John Hacker and Tom Powers

ings that things will never get better.

-Becoming extremely anxious, upset or unable to calm down.

-Talking about suicide or wanting to die.

-Saying they feel like a burden to others.

-Saying that others would be better off without them.

-Planning, when, where or how they might commit suicide.

-Taking actions such as giving away possessions or buying ammunition.

John said that his team’s 2026 goal for Be The One is to get the word out on a statewide level, to reach beyond the boundaries, but also to continue to focus on the Brunswick County and Cape Fear regions. We are also investigating various grant opportunities to support this initiative.” He further explained, “We don’t want to use the money we have raised for many other Post programs that will help this community in other ways — there are other options.”

John’s message to all of us is simple, and it’s part of the Be The One mission statement: Through awareness, we believe that together we can stop veteran suicide. Reach out and stay connected. Be the One. Save a life, change a life, ask the question.

“Suicide has no boundaries. It transcends age, gender, social status, location, race and creed. It doesn’t discriminate by branch or length of service. It reaches out in the coldness of despair and happens in an instant. You can’t take it back, but with awareness and action, you may help to prevent it,” John said.

Go to www.BetheOne.org, and see how you can help. Don’t miss an opportunity to, “Be the One.”

Veterans can call 1-800-273-8255, press 1 to speak to someone or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support. Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.

To learn more about how veterans can join The American Legion or what the Legion brings to our veterans and the community, visit https://ncpost68.org/. Post 68 meets at 6 pm every third Thursday in the Blossoms Restaurant Banquet Room (1800 Tommie Jacobs Dr., Leland). For those who want to participate, members gather at 4:30 pm in Blossoms for dinner and a social hour preceding the meeting.

Community Coast Guard Helpers

What Exactly Does The USCG Auxiliary Do

STORY BY LISA STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

As spring approaches and brings warmer temperatures, many residents and visitors are itching to get back out on the water on their boats. In Brunswick County, new and experienced boaters have a great resource for learning more about navigating the area, boating safety, and how to protect the waters they enjoy. Flotilla 10-5 is the local Auxiliary group for the U.S. Coast Guard, and offers education on all those things, and much more.

With 65 members in its ranks, Flotilla 10-5 is the largest U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary group in North Carolina, and one of the larger groups on the east coast. The group covers an area that matches the Oak Island Coast Guard Station’s area, though hugging the coast, from Wilmington to the South Carolina border, and auxiliary members come from all parts of Brunswick County. Depending on where they live, members can provide services through the Auxiliary, such as vessel checks, in Calabash or Leland or anywhere in the County. The group meets once a month on the third Tuesday at the US Coast Guard Station Oak Island.

The Auxiliary is open to members ages 17 and older, with no upper age limit, though Flotilla 10-5 Public Affairs Officer Rich O’Donnell acknowledged that many

of the Oak Island Auxiliary members are retirement age. But Auxiliary members do not have to be active or retired military — the group has members from all walks of life and with a broad range of life experiences.

O’Donnell himself is a retired police officer from New York. He moved to the area 12 years ago and joined Flotilla 10-5 approximately eight years ago, after a neighbor who was involved explained what the group does.

“I worked with the Coast Guard in my formal law enforcement career, and I always enjoyed working with them,” O’Donnell said. “I thought what they did was interesting.”

The Auxiliary is the uniform civilian component of the Coast Guard, O’Donnell explained. “We’re made up of people of all walks of life and all experiences,” he said.

are members who we send out by appointments or group locations that will do voluntary safety inspections of vessels to ensure that they’re in compliance with navigation rules. And if the vessel successfully completes the inspection, we issue them an annual decal. Many boaters come to us, and they look for that because it gives them of the opportunity to hear what the latest standard is in the navigation regulations or what required equipment must be carried and what other safety guidelines we have.”

Some members serve as telecommunicators, or radio operators, at Coast Guard facilities.

The Auxillary also helps to the Coast Guard maintain boys and signage. “All through the the United States, the Coast Guard operates the aids to navigation system, which is the system of buoys and signals and signs that guide boaters coming into and out of ports and harbors and shipping channels,” O’Donnell said. “In our case, we have one of the most significant shipping channels, certainly in North Carolina, and even in the United States. Some of the larger ships in the world come through Southport up to Wilmington. The Coast Guard has a big responsibility to maintain their aids to navigation and they have a special team of active duty Coast Guard personnel Station Oak Island that’s called in Aids to Navigation team. We assist them by inspecting aids to navigation and there are lots and lots of them.

“So they assign us a number of aids to navigation to inspect each year, and then we have members who are qualified to do these inspections. They’ll go and check these aids and navigation to make sure they’re correctly positioned and the lights are flashing and the signals are signaling as they’re supposed to be doing,” he said. The personal boast used by the Auxiliary help to get to shallower places the Coast Guards buoy tender may be too large to access.

He also said the Flotilla is always looking for new members, and anyone interested can find information on the website about how to join; visit https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=054-10-05.

“The Coast Guard itself is a really complex worldwide organization that has all sorts of different roles of responsibilities. In the Auxiliary, you can assist the Coast Guard in a number of different ways,” O’Donnell said.

One of the things the Auxiliary is known for is boating safety, and members often teach boating safety classes. Check the website for information on classes coming this spring that will be on the schedule in Brunswick County.

“Also, you can be a vessel safety examiner,” O’Donnell said. “These

“So in our case, that would be Coast Guard Station Oak Island, and the station is where boaters call in by radio or by phone to report emergencies or situations that require assistance, and our auxiliarists work as watchstanders, we call them, and they’ll take emergency calls and dispatch assistance,” O’Donnell said.

Other members serve as culinary assistants, and some members do marine safety patrols. Members use their own boats, which have placards on the sides and a flag to be easily identifiable, and the members are in uniform while on patrol.

“We have to train the personnel who want to participate in those, and they have to qualify to meet the Coast Guard standards for being a crew member or being a coxswain, which is like the supervisor on the patrol. It’s an involved training process, and it’s a continuing process, so even once you’re certified, you then have to re-certify and re-qualify periodically,” O’Donnell explained. “People enjoy being out on the water, and basically we’re in an assistance mode. We’re not in an enforcement mode. We’re out to assist people with whatever might come along while they’re on the water,” he said.

Members also teach marine and environmental safety, a separate program from the boating safety programs that is more geared toward protecting waterways and best practices for people, anti pollution measures, and security measures for infrastructure such as marinas and coastal facilities where the Coast Guard provides security.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary was formed in 1939 as a volunteer civilian group and today, includes more than 30,000 members across the country. O’Donnell said that the group has adapted over the years as needs have changed.

“It’s an interesting group,” O’Donnell said. Some of the local flotilla members were previously senior members in other organizations, and O’Donnell said it makes for a good dynamic working with the active Guardsmen at the Oak Island Station. He said that the Auxiliary members also serve as a good resource when new personnel are transferred to Oak Island, helping them learn more about the area in general and the local waters.

“We’re happy to have new members and we’d be happy to hear from anybody who’s interested,” O’Donnell said.

Community Bridal & Events Expo

Rusty Hooks Shows Off Its Events Space

STORY BY JEFFRERY STITES

Whenlooking for a venue to host your wedding or other big event, you hope to find somewhere with a dedicated, caring staff and terrific food. You might hope for a memorable, beautiful location as well, and Rusty Hooks might just fit the bill. With a kitchen known for fresh, local dishes prepared with care and imagination and a location right on the Intracoastal waterway with an amazing sunset view, Rusty Hooks has the room and the expertise to make your next event truly memorable. To show off all the possibilities, Rusty Hooks is hosting a Bridal and Events expo on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 11 am to 3 pm at the restaurant at 4907 Fish Factory Road SE.

“Here at Rusty Hooks, we have a passion for celebrating life with people for any reason, whether that be big moments or just a lunch break. We are so honored that people choose to celebrate their special occasion with us already as we have been a part of every stage of weddings, from engagements to rehearsal dinners to wedding receptions,” said Cassie Moore, Rusty Hooks Social Media and Events Coordinator. “As a business, we want to continue to expand and find out how we can grow our name in the wedding world, not just for hosting events as a venue, but in catering as well. Luckily, one of our regular customers, Samantha Redfern, owner of Sinderellas Rockefellas Bridal Boutique in Southport, was in for

lunch one day in the fall, and after striking up some conversation over the lunch table, the idea of a Rusty Hooks Bridal & Events Expo was born.”

The event will showcase not only the restaurant, but also a variety of local vendors. “Attendees can expect to be exposed to what different local vendors have to offer, starting with Rusty Hooks. As the venue, we will be showcasing our different event spaces and party packages and as the caterer, we will have different hors d’oeuvres and beverage samples for guests to try. By bringing in local vendors, we want to bring the community together to help plan perfect events for all occasions. The vision is that vendors get to showcase their name and products to potential customers, and attendees get to see multiple new vendors in different categories from their community all in one place,” Cassie said.

As of press time, the event had 18 vendors lined up and expects that number to grow to a total of between 20 and 30 vendors by the day of the show. These vendors will be offering samples of their product as well as giveaway prizes and a variety of exclusive discounts that can only be received by coming to the expo.

Rusty Hooks is large enough to be able to host this event while also offering its usual lunch service. “We want to showcase our venue as a waterfront dining restaurant right on the ICW,” said Cassie. “Rusty Hooks has multiple event spaces for parties making nearly every event possible in our space.”

While anyone can walk up the day of the expo and take it all in, there are advantages to registering early as an attendee. “For attendees, registering early gets them access to all vendors’ contact information and email lists, as well as entries for door prizes. Anyone is welcome to come — registration is recommended but not required,” Cassie said.

Vendors who want to participate in this event can contact Cassie at events@rustyhooksdockside.com.

“This expo is at least the first annual, if not the first semi-annual, events expo that we plan to host at Rusty Hooks,” Cassie said. “Rusty Hooks’ core values are family, both within our team and our community, passion for fun dining, fresh and local food, and a desire to be a part of our customers’ special moments no matter how big or small they may be. We invite people to celebrate their life with us dockside, and we can’t wait to see how the expo can bring more members of our community together.”

Community Polar Plunge 2026

Special Olympics of Brunswick County

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

If you’ve been dying to try out Oak Island’s newly widened beaches, here’s a chance to dive in the surf and support a great cause at the same time. The Brunswick County Polar Plunge in support of the Brunswick County Special Olympics kicks off after Oak Island’s Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, Feb. 21. Participants, and supporters “Too Chicken To Plunge,” will register in Middleton Park on SE 46th Street beginning at 3 pm and walk together to the beach at 102 SE 47 St. to rush into the surf.

Registration for individual plungers is $50 and includes a Polar Plunge t-shirt. Supporters who’d rather stay dry can register for $30 and receive a Too Chicken To Plunge t-shirt. All registration fees go to help support Special Olympics athletes across Brunswick County. Online registration prior to the event is at https://give.specialolympicsnc.com/campaign/2026-special-olympics-brunswick-county-po -

lar-plunge.

After the Plunge, everyone is invited back to Middleton Park to help celebrate the Special Olympics Brunswick County athletes heading to the 2026 Special Olympics Games. This year’s US Special Olympics is being held in Minnesota from June 20-26 and Brunswick County is sending a team of none to compete in 5v5 basketball.

According to Special Olympics Brunswick County Local Coordinator Alyssa Cole, “Cole Denny, Edan Current, Mauquel Randall, Brandon Lewis, Ashley Clarkson, Alphonzo Hyman, Kassandra Walter, Andrew Stephenson, and Dion Smith make up the team and the head coach is Sean O’Donnell — all located here in Brunswick County!”

Cole said there are about 450 participants in Special Olympics Brunswick County activities, some as young as 2 years old. “Young Athletes programs are for participants ages 2-7 and then once an athlete is 8 or older they can participate in sport practices and competition. There is no age limit.”

“Special Olympics athletes gain far more than the opportunity to compete in sports,” Cole said. “Through the program, athletes build confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging. They develop physical fitness, learn teamwork and sportsman-

ship, and experience the pride that comes from setting goals and achieving them. Just as importantly, Special Olympics creates meaningful friendships, leadership opportunities, and a supportive community where athletes are celebrated for who they are and what they can do — both on and off the field.”

Community

Frog Watch USA Learn How To Help Expand Frog Database

STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE

SinceI moved down here from “up north,” I’ve learned a lot about our environment. An area behind our backyard is considered to be wetlands. To me, it was a damp area that I didn’t want to explore due to the heavy crush of trees that limited my view and the marshy, muddy ground. In reality, a wetland is an area where water covers soil or is present near the surface for long periods of time. It supports water tolerant plants classified as hydrophytes while forming waterlogged soils. Scientists call it an interface between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems like marshes, swamps, bogs and floodplains.

Depending on the size of the wetland in North Carolina, it hosts a variety of wildlife, mostly toads, salamanders, turtles, snakes, ducks and even dragonflies. But it’s the frogs who will be the focus of a program at the Leland Cultural Arts Center in February, called “For the Love of Frogs — A FrogWatch USA volunteer training program.”

This event is part of a citizen science program established in 1998 to provide individuals and groups with the opportunity to learn about the wetlands in their communities by reporting on the calls of local frogs and toads.

FrogWatch USA, a nationally recognized program, is an event that trains volunteers to be able to identify, collect and contribute information about the breeding calls of frogs and toads to a national database to develop environmental protection and amphibian conservation methods.

According to Molly Prosser, Recreational Coordinator for the Town of Leland, this is the second time that they have hosted FrogWatch USA. “I understand most of the

volunteers are retirees, but this is also a great program for adults and college students,” she said. “It combines slide shows and audio projection demonstrating the different sounds made by different species of frogs. It gives us all a better connection to our environment and the diversity it offers,”

The training is conducted over two days, The first session is Feb. 7, from 10 am to 4 pm. The second is on Feb. 14 from 10 am to 1 pm and includes an assessment. This event is volunteer training, and those who attend both sessions will be actively working to become FrogWatch USA volunteers.

Kristin Holloman-Noe, Education Outreach Coordinator at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, and Chapter Coordinator for the North Carolina Aquariums Chapter of FrogWatch USA, explained, “Our goal for FrogWatch is to get residents to understand the importance of ‘indicator species,’ by studying them and developing a greater understanding of where we live. We are tracking the history of community science by listening, by identifying frogs by their breeding calls.”

The FrogWatch USA season runs from February through August. There are approximately 26 different breeds of frogs in our area. Tree frogs, classified as Hylidae, are the most common frogs in this area. There are more than 900 species of Hylidae frogs globally. They have toe pads for climbing. Included in that classification are, ‘Green Treefrogs, Squirrel Treefrogs, Pine Woods Treefrogs and Barking Treefrogs.” They live in swampy, ground, most commonly in wetlands. True frogs, classified as

Ranidae, refers to the family of amphibians that includes more than 250 species worldwide, such as the American Bullfrog, the Southern Leopard frog and River frogs.

“River frogs have an interesting history,” Kristin said. The species is considered to be extinct in North Carolina since the ‘70s, but FrogWatch USA volunteers in our chapter still learn this call because there are healthy populations in South Carolina and we know that migrations are most likely to be northward given the warming climate.

“We have made this project more engaging and enlightening,” Kristin said. “We believe that teaching people the warning signs that an area may not be healthy, is vital to ensuring that we keep a balanced ecosystem. If a certain species of frog who have inhabited an area for long periods of time suddenly significantly decreases, that’s a serious problem. That’s likely an environmental problem or it can be a predator problem.”

FrogWatch USA is a citizen science program, and was established in 1998, by AZA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the accrediting organization for the North Carolina Aquariums, for the purpose of providing residents the opportunity to better understand wetlands in their community while reporting what type of the calls they hear from local frogs for scientific study engaging residents with conservation of local wildlife and wetlands by merely listening to frogs and toads. Frogs are an important conduit to environmental protection agencies and conservation efforts, especially in areas such as ours who are experiencing tremendous growth.

Kristin’s enthusiasm regarding frogs and our environment makes her an excellent FrogWatch USA coach and teacher. Scientists estimate that frogs have been on earth for more than 200 million years, as long as dinosaurs. They are the first land animals that developed vocal

cords. You can identify male frogs by their vocal sac, or pouches of skin that fill with air, like a balloon. The vocal sac amplifies the sound that the frog makes with some that can be heard from a mile away. Frogs also have excellent night vision, their bulging eyes allow them to see in front of them, to the sides and slightly behind them. I must admit that prior to writing this story, I didn’t know a great deal about frogs. I remember hearing stories when I was young about kissing frogs and them turning into princes, but I never wanted to see if that was true. But I found that they are fascinating parts of our ecosystem that effectively communicate with us, if we just watch and listen.

Kristin said, “If attendees complete both sessions at Leland Cultural Arts Center, they become official Frog Watchers.” Since the second session is on February 14, I’m calling it, “For The Love of Frogs!”

If you are interested in attending this training program, register with the Leland Cultural Art Center. Submit questions regarding the training to kristin. holloman-noe@ncaquariums.com, or call 910-772-0542. Preregistration is required. Leland Cultural Arts Center is located at 1212 Magnolia Way, Leland.

Community Brunswick Town - Fort Anderson 2026 Events

North Carolina Rice Festival at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site

March 7, 10 am – 5 pm, Free

Join us at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site for the North Carolina Rice Festival! Activities will be located indoors and outdoors and will include history/cultural presentations, tours, demonstrations, live entertainment, family fun, children’s stage, Gullah Geechee food vendors, and arts/crafts. Visit https://www.northcarolinaricefestival.org/ for more information.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Sailors and Tar Workers in the 18th Century

April 25,10 am - 4 pm,Free

Join us for this living history event! This program will provide a comprehensive view of maritime history within the region, provide context for naval stores production along the lower Cape Fear, and provide interpretations of eighteenth century trades that are relevant to maritime history and sailing. It will contextualize the role of the naval stores industry in Brunswick’s development as a major colonial port. This is a free event for all ages.

Women of Brunswick

May 2, 10 am – 4 pm, Free

Join us at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site for a number of living history demonstrations that focus on the women who worked and lived at the port of Brunswick. Get a chance to see what their life was like and dive into a new perspective of Port Brunswick. This is a free event for all ages.

The Friends of BTFA Present- A Tapestry of Time: The Many Perspectives of Brunswick

June 13, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm, $10 per Adult

Join us for this unique opportunity to see Brunswick through a new lens. UNCW students will showcase their projection mapping skills on the walls of St. Phillips Church. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk a gallery of local artwork depicting the many aspects that make Brunswick Town special. Art pieces will be available for purchase where 15 percent of profits will be donated to The Friends of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson. Tickets must be purchased at the front gate. Light refreshments will be provided.

Brunswick Town’s 300th Anniversary

June 27, 4 - 8 pm, Free

Join us for an evening of celebration and music.

Carolina Blues: Indigo on the Cape Fear in Conjunction with the NC Maritime Museum at Southport

September 26, 11 am - 3 pm, Free

Don’t be blue – we have lots of indigo for you! This subtropical plant was an incredibly important commodity in the Carolinas of the 18th century. In conjunction with the Maritime Museum at Southport, we will be exploring the process used by skilled enslaved African labor to extract this valuable dye from the indigo plants - and delve into the science behind dye production. Visitors will have a chance to view and work an active fermentation vat, and dyeing demonstrations will occur throughout the course of the program. T-shirts will also be available for purchase for visitors to try their hand at resist dyeing.

Port Brunswick Day

October 17,10 am – 4 pm, Free

Join us at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site for the return of Port Brunswick Day! Living historians will be interpreting various colonial trades and aspects of colonial life including candle making, blacksmithing, woodworking and more. Kids will have an opportunity to experience colonial toys and games. This event is free. All ages are welcome.

The Great Pumpkin Blowout

November 7, 11 am – 4 pm, $10 Per Pumpkin (BYOP)

Has that jack-o-lantern on your front porch outlived his usefulness? Dispose of him in a unique and rather explosive way by implementing the same technology used to detonate Civil War era torpedoes! $10 fee per pumpkin and BYOP (bring your own pumpkin). It is free to watch, but YOU get to press the button to detonate if you bring your own! Pumpkins with minimal carving offer the best explosions, but we can work with all types. Tickets can be purchased at the site on the day of the event.

An 18th Century Christmas

December 13, 1 pm – 5:30 pm, $5 Per Adult

Join us once again this holiday season, as we explore how the American colonists celebrated Christmas. During the program, you can enjoy 18th century inspired refreshments in the Visitor Center, participate in traditional games, or try your hand at Moravian paper stars and other 18th century crafts. The highlight of the evening will be an authentic period candlelit service in the ruins of St. Philips Anglican Church. The service will begin at 5 pm and will conclude by 5:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Community Stamp Act Protest Sowing The Seeds Of Rebellion in 1766

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The seeds of rebellion were taking root right here in Brunswick County 260 years ago this month. The residents of Brunswick Town, a port town on the Cape Fear River just north of what is now Southport, had gotten word of a new tax on all documents, form official forms to news papers, The Stamp Act, and they were not at all happy.

Things came to a head in February of 1766 when two ships were forbidden from unloading cargo at Brunswick Town. Residents marched on the Colonial Governor Tryon’s house, resulting in the resignation of officials tasked with enforcing the Stamp Act and the Governor’s agreement to stop enforcing the tax in North Carolina.

Brunswick Town State Historic Site is celebrating the anniversary of the Stamp Act resistance with two events on Saturday, Feb. 21.

From 10 am to 2:30 pm Living History:

The Stamp Act Resistance allows you to travel back in time to February 1766 as tensions are growing in the lower Cape Fear regarding the dreaded Stamp Act. Visitors can expect to see and interact with interpreters portraying key players of the stamp at resistance in Brunswick Town. Two lectures will be taking place throughout the day. John Mosley from the Maritime Museum at Southport will be discussing the events leading up to the resistance in Brunswick at 10 am and Hunter Ingram from the Burgwyn-Wright House will be

discussing the course of the events in February 1766 in Brunswick at 1 pm.  Activities for kids will include making tricorn hats and painting toy soldiers. This is a free event for all ages.

As night falls, the ticketed event Dancing in Defiance: A Night of Merriment and Rebellion begins at 5 pm and runs until 8 pm. Enjoy a night of dance, food, drink and rebellion! Visitors will get to enjoy light refreshments, limited (2) alcoholic beverages, and colonial music for dancing. During the night visitors will have the opportunity to experience an immersive reenactment portraying the final march to Tryon’s house, Castle Tryon, at Brunswick Town. Tickets are on sale now and spaces are limited. Ticket prices are $15 per child and $30 for adults (which includes a ticket good for two cocktails). All tickets include hors d’oeuvres, and a seat on the shuttle that will take you to and from Russellborough for the vignette.

path on-site during the program.

3.There will be two vignette times be sure to purchase the correct time you want.

4.Children under 12 are not permitted on-site for this event.

5.The weather will be chilly. A heater will be set up in the tent, but you will need to dress warmly for the vignette.

6.Bring a small flashlight. You may need it for the vignette.

When purchasing this ticket, you are agreeing to the following terms:

1.No outside alcohol is permitted on-site at the event.

2.You will not be allowed on the walking

7.This event is rain or shine. No refunds will be permitted due to weather unless the site has to shut down.

8.The event begins at 5 pm, and gates will open at 4:30 pm.

Community Festival Fundraiser

2026 Red, White and Blue Shrimparoo

The NC Fourth of July Festival committee invites the community to support this year’s celebration by attending the Red, White & Blue Shrimparoo, a festive fundraiser from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday, April 12, at The American Fish Company in Southport.

All proceeds from the Shrimparoo will benefit the 2026 N.C. Fourth of July Festival, scheduled for June 26 through July 4 in Southport and Oak Island. As a non-profit organization, the Festival relies on the generosity of sponsors, donors, and the community to keep events free and accessible for everyone.Sponsored by Frying Pan and American Fish Company, the Shrimparoo will feature shrimp prepared in various ways, chicken, barbecue pork and all the trimmings. There will be a cash bar and live performance by Salty Dawgs. Tickets are $55 per person in advance or $450 for a bulk purchase of 10 tickets. Doors open at 4 pm.

Tickets may be purchased online at www. nc4thofjuly.com/events

Checks are also accepted and may be mailed to P.O. Box 11247, Southport, NC 28461, payable to the NC 4th of July Festival with “Shrimparoo” noted in the memo line.

Attendees can participate in both a 50/50 raffle and an item raffle. Each ticket purchase includes one entry into the item raffle, offering guests even more chances to win while supporting the Festival.

Transform Your Garden

Screened Organic Topsoil, Garden

Compost, Fill Dirt, Mulches, Eco Chips, Longleaf Pine Straw, Fire Pits

Decorative and Driveway Gravels, Various River Rock, Drainage Rock, Landscape and Focal Boulders, Flagstone, Mortar Sand, Stepping Stones and Pavers, Concrete Tile Benches, Outdoor Furniture, Seasoned Firewood, Raised Garden Beds, Driftwood, Artisan Garden Decor, Metal Palm Trees, Authentic

When Was the Last Time You Came to Bella Cucina?

DINE IN & TAKEOUT

Serving NY Style Pizza, Pasta, Salads and Subs

Gift Cards available in-house and online

Lunch: 11:00 am • Lounge: 4 pm • Dining Room: 5 pm Monday - Saturday

Chamber News

Local Business Expo

Coastal Consumer Showcase on Feb 12

CONTRIBUTED

The Coastal Consumer Showcase is once again coming to the Homer E. Wright Event Center at St. James on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 4-7 pm. Admission is free to the public.

This popular event provides Brunswick County residents a one-stop-shop to see products and services that local businesses in the community offer. More than 50 businesses from retail, service, professional, healthcare and home improvements will be on hand to answer questions and provide free samples, giveaways and demonstrations. One ticket to the Pick a Prize Auction will be given to those who attend and register, with additional tickets available for sale.

“This is one of the best opportunities to explore goods and services offered by businesses in our area. It’s a ‘Do not miss!’ event!” said Will Mitchell, Chairman of the

Coastal Consumer Show Committee.

“Each year we organize this event to provide our area residents a convenient way to learn about the wide-ranging products and services available in our community,” said Karen Sphar, executive vice president of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Coastal Consumer Showcase is an event of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Fulford Heating & Cooling, Dosher Memo rial Hospital, Grey Outdoor, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, SPT-OKI Maga zine, Southport Magazine, Skywalker Roof ing, and The State Port Pilot.

Areyou under 40 and looking to meet other local professionals your age? Does your business employ young people who may benefit from a networking opportunity with other under 40s? Do you have under 40 friends who work at home and are struggling to find a community?

The Young Professionals group has drawn dozens of participants to each of its first two gatherings, and looks to be gathering steam. The next meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5:30-7 pm at Duffers restaurant at the Oak Island Golf Club. Business people under 40 are invited to come out and see what it’s all about before committing to membership.

Monthly social networking events

• Pop-up meetups & more • Mentorship programs • Volunteer opportunities • Professional development workshops + speakers What You’ll Get

Call For Artists

Franklin Square Gallery Spring Show

STORY CONTRIBUTED

To celebrate the reopening of Southport’s Franklin Square Gallery for the season, the Associated Artists of Southport (AAS) invites artists throughout the lower Cape Fear region to submit original 2D and 3D artwork for exhibit in this year’s Spring Art Show.

The Show, which runs from Feb. 16 to March 14, will feature original 2D work in a wide variety of media and styles, and original 3D work in the form of pottery and sculpture, all of which is offered for sale to the public. Exhibiting artists will compete for more than $1,200 in prizes awarded by the Show’s judges, Sharon DiGiulio (2D) and Joe DiGiulio (3D), owners of DiGiulio Studios, a professional art studio in Raleigh. A Reception and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Gallery on Friday, March 6, from 5-7 pm. All are invited to attend, meet the artists, and enjoy complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres.

To enter work in the 2026 Spring Show, artists must register by Feb. 6. Application forms and entry fees ($36 for AAS members; $46 for non-members) must be submitted online using the link provided at the Gallery’s website, www.franklinsquaregallery.com. Additional information regarding

the Show may be obtained on the Gallery’s website, or by contacting the Show’s chairperson, Kim Kirk, at creativespirit@ec.rr. com or (910) 264-8580.

In addition, Sharon and Joe DiGiulio will also be offering a 2-day Acrylic and Collage Workshop at the Gallery on Sunday and Monday, February 15 and 16, from 9 am – 4 pm each day. This workshop will explore abstract acrylic painting techniques, collage layering, color and composition. For more information or to register, artists should visit the Gallery’s website.

Franklin Square Gallery, a cooperative of more than 120 artists, is also welcoming new members this year. Artists are invited to contact Kim Kirk at creativespirit@ec.rr. com for membership information.

The Gallery is located at 130 E. West St., Southport, in the heart of the historic downtown area. Surrounded by live oaks and situated in an historic building that once served as a schoolhouse and town hall, the Gallery offers the community and visitors alike the opportunity to experience the rich artistic culture that thrives in Southport. Its 2026 season opens with the Spring Show on Feb. 16. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm daily. As an active member of the Southport Art Galleries Guild, Franklin Square Gallery offers free admission to all, and all work exhibited is for sale.

Memorial Showcase

Franklin Square Gallery Remembrance

STORY CONTRIBUTED

AlthoughFranklin Square Gallery is closed for the season until Feb. 16, the Associated Artists of Southport (AAS) will open the Gallery for four special days in early February to celebrate the lives and work of a number of their esteemed members who have recently passed away. AAS will honor these artists, their work and their contributions to AAS in a Memorial Show and Sale to be held at the Gallery Feb. 6-9, from 10 am to 4 pm daily.

Artists whose work will be featured in the show include the late Jan Boland, Eileen Gordon, Eloise Randolph, Dick Staat, JoAnn Staat, Ann Thompson, Sharon Vinciguerra, and others. These talented artists contributed significantly to the life of the Gallery and are deeply missed.

from 2-4 pm, when the artists’ families and AAS members can recognize these talented individuals and their contributions to AAS and the Gallery. Light refreshments will be served. All are invited to attend.

As Show Chairperson Rich O’Donnell explained, “Our primary goal in hosting this Show is to pay tribute to these beloved members. The Show will give the artists’ family and friends an opportunity to engage with their loved ones’ collectors and patrons, and sell some of their loved ones’ paintings and pottery to those who will enjoy it for years to come.”

To that end, AAS will host a reception at the Gallery on Sunday, Feb. 8,

Franklin Square Gallery, the home of AAS, is a cooperative of more than 120 artists, located at 130 E. West St. in the heart of historic downtown Southport. With support from the Brunswick Arts Council ARPA Program, a Designated County Partner of the North Carolina Arts Council, the Gallery embodies the rich artistic culture that thrives in Southport.

Showcase

Annual Art Sale

Brunswick Arts Council Show & Sale

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Brunswick Arts Council’s annual arts events began in 2000, rotating to a different venue each year. The 2026 Visual Arts Show is being held at Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbecue Road in Ocean Isle Beach and will showcase a variety of 2D and 3D artwork created by talented teens and adults from across Brunswick County, with special artwork created for America’s 250th anniversary.

The show will run from Feb. 28 through March 9 from 1-6 pm each day. Hours are subject to change by the winery. Walk-in registration is Saturday, Feb. 28 from 1-3 pm and the awards reception will be held Saturday, March 7 from 5-7 pm at the Art & Vine Party.

This show will include categories for Teens, Adults and Veterans. Online registration is open until Feb. 25 at https:// pci.jotform.com/form/25351543480315. Works must be hand delivered on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 am to 2 pm to the Silver Coast Winery. Artwork must be removed on Monday, March 9 between 1 and 3 pm.

New this year, the BAC 26th event will be both a Art Show and a fundraiser. BAC will take a 10 percent commission on all sales to help support local artists and provide scholarships. In addition to the artwork sales, BAC will hold a Raffle and for a $20 donation, you can pick a 4x4 mini art piece from those donated. These mini art pieces can be framed during the event for an additional donation.

Art & Vine Party

Fundraising Event For Artists and Scholarships

March 7, 5-7 pm Silver Coast Winery 6680 Barbecue Rd Ocean Isle Beach

Mingle with the show’s artists and enjoy local wine, tasty delights and lots of artwork for sale. Take home an original 4”x4” original painting for a $20 donation

Sponsorship Opportunities BAC Annual Art Show 2026

Brunswick Arts Council is inviting you to join in as a Sponsor for the Annual BAC Arts Show. As a sponsor and donator to the event, you will help Brunswick Arts Council raise funds to support our year-round mission of appreciation, education, financial and administrative support of Brunswick County’s artists, arts-related organizations, student scholarships and funding to local artists in our community. Included this year is one of the Arts Council’s newest community partnerships in Brunswick County, the Veterans Creative Arts Program (VCAP).

In addition to helping with new programs like VCAP, the Arts Council has partnered with NC Arts Council and Brunswick County to provide more than $1,500,000 in ongoing arts support to the following programs:

•Grassroots Grants supporting art classes and workshops, gallery exhibitions, performing arts, and festivals across the county

•Quick Arts Grants to the artists, arts groups, and schools throughout the year

•Regional Individual Artist Grants to artists in Brunswick County

•Art Scholarships for College Bound High School Students

•Support & Participation in Annual Festivals: BC Intercultural Festival, NC Rice Festival, Winterfest, NC 4th of July Festival and Make Music Day

•Art Supplies for Classrooms in our schools and support for Teachers workshops

“The impact of our investment in art for the 175,000 residents of Brunswick County is over $2,758,295 expended on the arts in our county. Thank you for your careful consideration of our offer to support our

•Best Realism

•Veterans Creative Art

•First in Freedom A250

Awards can be sponsored for $200 each. The award ribbon will have your name on it and you will have the opportunity to distribute the award at the reception on March 7 at Silver Coast Winery.

Awards available for sponsorship this year are::

•Best of Flora and Fauna

•Best Use of Light & Color

•Best Landscape and Seascape

•Best Composition

•Best Narrative

•Best Abstract

•Most Creative

From This Event’s Judge

Lourdes Rosas Rasdall

www.lourdesrosasrasdall.com

facebook.com/LourdesRosasRasdall.artist

Instagram @lourdesrosasart

Art was my first love and has been a driving force throughout my life, although not always in the forefront. Born in Cuba and after a short stint in Miami, I spent most of my childhood and adolescent years in Puerto Rico. College took me from the Caribbe-

an to the Tampa Bay area, where I received my Bachelor of Visual Arts from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Later, I studied and practiced commercial art. My art took a backseat with corporate jobs and raising a family, but eventually I returned to pursuing what I love doing most.

In 2019, I traded a corporate career for a more creative lifestyle. Since then, I have worked as a professional artist and kept busy with galleries, group shows, commissions, community projects, and teaching painting.

During my tenure in Florida, I was represented by several art galleries and helped run a co-op gallery in the role of Gallery Operations Manager. I was responsible for organizing the jurying and onboarding of new artists, the gallery schedule, and training.

In 2021, I was offered a position as Director of Suntan Art Center in St. Pete Beach, a position I kept until I moved to North Carolina in January 2024. Besides being responsible for the day-to-day operations, I managed all education programs at the

center, curated and judged monthly member exhibits, and judged art shows for other local art organizations.

Since arriving in North Carolina, I have joined several art groups and have participated in group and solo shows in the region. I am currently represented by Art Exposure Gallery in Hampstead and Franklin Square Gallery in Southport.

From the Florida Gulf Coast to the Eastern NC seashore, I find inspiration in nature and beauty in the details that are often overlooked as we rush by. I am still exploring nature and life along the coastline, but now I also have the mountains, and four seasons of distinct colors.

Throughout my artistic journey, I have worked with different mediums, and have earned awards and commissions in painting, photography and glass. Today, I am primarily a water media artist. I paint what makes me happy and my art is an interpretation and celebration of the world as I see it: colorful, beautiful and bright. No matter the medium, my signature is color.

Where Southport Comes to Celebrate

Golf Tips

Golf Re-entry Practice

Bringing Drills To The Golf Course

BY NICOLE WELLER, LPGA / PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

One of the more common comments I receive as a teaching professional with a sport psychology background is that golfers often aren’t able to bring the successful skill at the practice green or range out onto the course when needed. Does that sound familiar to you as well? I have an answer!

The key to having a skill manifest on the course is being able to practice more appropriately, more specifically how to practice with Entering, Exiting and Re-Entry moments. Golfers tend to over-practice through a form called Block Practice in which a golfer putts, chips, pitches or hits balls over and over again in a repetitive format, often not even leaving the same stance or grip. Sometimes one can putt or hit 10 balls in a minute from the same spot! Golfers need to insert more Transfer Practice (scrimmaging) into their practice time.

game during practice so you’ll be Go for Re-Entry at the next shot!

Explore these Practice Tips for Successful Transfer onto the Course:

Think about it this way…in playing golf, there can often be 2-5 minutes between shots as we wait for other golfers, walk, drive, wait or even hunt for golf balls. We actually exit the flow of the game and rhythm after a shot and then have to re-enter into it at the next shot. If a golfer practices one ball after another without a pre-shot routine or leaving the hitting spot and coming back into the arena, the golfer won’t be able to transfer the skill as needed in that environment since he or she is just used to hitting one after the other and getting onto a ‘roll.’

One of my students now calls it ‘icing the golfer,’ in which I have him practice and then take a break and see if he can pick up again after being on a roll before having to stop. Learn to Exit and Enter back and forth into the

1. Research shows practicing in 10-15 minute chunks is ideal and then leaving it and coming back after a rest. When we work out in the gym on a piece of equipment (like leg extension, pull downs or bench press), we don’t do it for 30-45 minutes straight, we do it in sets and reps. Our bodies and minds need breaks in golf too. I have my students practice in either a set of 5 or 10 shots with two rehearsal swings or movements between each shot in their Block Practice. I like how Pia and Lynn from Vision54 give their students 30 balls but they have to make them last for all 30 minutes…quality practice vs. quantity.

2. After Block Practice, spend five minutes testing the skill in a Transfer Drill. Test it on different lies, with different clubs, with variable time (1/3/5 minutes between shots), simulate some ‘perceived pressure.’ Being able to hit 10 balls in a row is great but we don’t play that way, I’m more impressed if a golfer can hit 3 good to great shots when things are mixed up like real golf, that’s more of an indicator that it’ll transfer.

3. Trent Wearner has a great book just for this type of practice called “Golf Scrimmages: Realistic Practice Games under Pressure.” Pick up a copy

today! Also check out “Short Game Challenge Practice Cards” by Kelly Mitchum at Pinehurst Academy or “Every Shot Must Have a Purpose” by Vision54 creators Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott.

Nicole Weller is an award-winning LPGA & PGA Instructor who instructs local area golfers at Compass Pointe Golf Club in Leland. For more information on Nicole and her tips / videos, visit www.nicoleweller.com.

Fert

Fr

H

Keeping Fit

Why Goals Matter

How To Keep Yourself Accountable This Year

BY VICTOR FERNANDES

Victor Fernandes is owner of Fernandez Fit, helpjng clients achieve personal and professional success through health and fitness

Lastmonth, I touched on the dos and don’ts of resolutions, but to be fair, that’s beginner level health and fitness – because often there isn’t substance behind what people say they will do in the coming year. Meanwhile, goal setting is next level – because goals, unlike resolutions, often are more specific in nature, because they are set by people with experience setting goals, achieving them, and learning from the success and mistakes along the way.

Often, those goals are based on specific accomplishments they have set for themselves. Take me for example…

I’ve set my sights on getting back into competitive running more consistently than I have since an Achilles injury in April 2024, with goals above and beyond that already in place – in my case, getting more serious about swimming and cycling.

I already know that I swim, but I don’t consider myself a swimmer, and I can’t tell you when I last rode a bicycle. It’s been that long. Still, I have a specific end goal of competing in a sprint triathlon before the end of 2026.

That’s how my brain works. I set a goal,

set a plan to achieve it, pursue it, conquer it, then set a new goal and repeat the process.

But what if your goal is simply to be fit because it’s the right thing to do?

First of all, I commend you for that, because specific goals in mind or not –doing the right thing, especially when it comes to our health and wellness, isn’t an easy thing to do. That’s the main reason why not everyone wants to do that –certainly not long-term. And it’s also why 40-plus percent of this nation’s population is deemed obese, while more than 70 percent are considered overweight.

Here’s a hack to help overcome that unique challenge – because we always like a good hack…

ask me how I’ve stayed consistent for the past 15 years. The answer is simple, but not always easy: I have a why, many of them...

* Family

* Clients

* My health and fitness business, Fernandes Fit LLC

* Even the old version of me I have shared with anyone who will listen over these past several years – the version that weighed nearly 250 pounds, gave up on most everything that I started in my early adult years, and lacked the confidence to create the quality of life I envisioned for myself.

Those whys are who and what I turn to when motivation wanes and discipline needs to kick into high gear. It could be one why today, and another why tomorrow – and it doesn’t have to be all of them working together every day.

can change day to day to day based on what’s going on day or that week –they’re individually as significant and impactful as they are collectively.

Think quality of life — then paint a mental picture of what that looks like to you, because it will look different to everyone, and how achieving that level of quality of life will positively impact you and those you love.

People often

They also don’t have to be positive-based whys, which is why the memory of the old version of me remains an important part of me to this day. I never want to forget how I felt and looked in those days, because those negative experiences serve as a reminder of a time in my life I never want to experience again.

Life is just as busy nowadays as it was all those years ago. The only difference is my priorities have changed. Self-care no longer sits last on my daily to-do list, because health is the only facet of my life that impacts all others.

We all understand the importance of priorities, but what we choose to prioritize often can go awry in the day-to-day activities in our lives. But when we prioritize ourselves, the day-to-day of our lives has this way of getting back on track.

And those aforementioned whys that

Life constantly gives us reasons not to take care of ourselves. Life can get in the way of our lives so easily if we allow it to happen long enough. I experienced many stops and starts in my health and fitness journey in the early days, because I would allow tasks that in the grand scheme weren’t true priorities to monopolize my time and take away from what truly mattered.

Since then, the focus has been steady. The work has been consistent. And the results have been rewarding.

So, what are your whys? Take time to pinpoint them, paint a clear picture of what they look like to you, then do the work day by day to make them come true.

If you need help uncovering yours, I’m always here – because at Fernandes Fit…

Fitness Is Our Business.

And if you need help laying out the best plan of action to take control of your health and well-being, I’m here to help. Contact me at 814-504-7774 or by email at info@fernandesfit.com to get started. You can also get more information on my website at fernandesfit.com.

FISHING

February Fishing Report

Looking Forward To A Productive Cooler Month

BY CAPTAIN STEELE PARK

January is behind us, and winter has fully settled in along the coast. Both commercial and recreational anglers were treated to an exciting surprise this season, with outstanding nearshore giant bluefin tuna action that has made for an exceptional winter so far. As we move into February, we enter what is typically the slowest fishing month of the year, largely due to colder water temperatures. That said, there are still fish to be caught for those willing to put a hook in the water — just with fewer options than during warmer months..

Backwater

Fish are now in full winter survival mode and pushed far back into the creeks, staging in deep holes toward the backs of those systems. Speckled trout and red drum follow similar patterns. During the coldest parts of the day, both species will hold in deeper water. As the sun rises and begins to warm the mud flats, expect red drum to move onto the flats to feed on small shrimp and mud minnows. Trout will slide along grass-lined creek banks where there is moving water, particularly on the falling tide when shrimp are flushed from

the grass.

With exceptionally clear water conditions right now, a stealthy approach and long casts are critical. Light jig heads paired with paddle-tail soft plastics fished at a very slow pace are effective. MirrOlures will also produce consistently on speckled trout. As always, this time of year, slowing down your presentation is key.

Nearshore

Along the beaches, fishing remains slow during the winter months. With the bluefin tuna having moved on, the primary opportunities are at inlet mouths and nearshore reefs, targeting spot and sea mullet. The good news is that in just over a month, the first Atlantic bonito and Spanish mackerel should begin to arrive.

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

Offshore

Fishing in the 15- to 30-mile range is currently producing excellent black sea bass action. Wrecks, ledges, rock piles, and live-bottom areas are all holding quality-sized sea bass. Trolling can also be productive, with false albacore providing steady action. If you locate water temperatures in the 65–70-degree range, there is also a chance of encountering king mackerel.

Same Ole. Few things are more discouraging than making a long, cold run only to find cold, green water. Using a sea surface temperature app before heading out can help avoid that situation. Spring will be here before we know it, bringing warmer air, warming water, and familiar spring fishing patterns. An exciting year on the water lies ahead. See you out there.

Gulf Stream:

The Gulf Stream can be very rewarding this time of year, offering opportunities for jumbo wahoo and blackfin tuna. High-speed trolling along the shallow edges of offshore ledges is an effective tactic for targeting wahoo, while slowing down to troll tuna feathers and ballyhoo rigs can produce bites from both tuna and wahoo.

Choosing the right weather window is critical before making an offshore run, as cold air and water can quickly create dangerous conditions. It is also important to ensure water temperatures of at least 70 degrees at locations such as the Steeples, Blackjack, and

History Remembering Bentonville

February Cape Fear Civil War Round Table

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

On Feb. 12, the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table will host Colby Lipscomb, registrar for North Carolina State Historic Sites, as he tells the 160-year-old and counting story of “Remembering Bentonville.”

Colby Lipscomb currently serves as registrar for North Carolina Historic Sites, working with more than 80,000 artifacts at 27 historic sites across the state, including Bentonville Battlefield. Previously, Colby served as the Education Coordinator and later Programs Coordinator at Bentonville. He holds a Master’s in Public History from NC State University and degrees in History and Political Science from Western Carolina University. He lives in his hometown of Clayton, NC. In 2024, Colby and Derrick Brown of the Bentonville Historic Site, co-authored Images of America: Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.

The Battle of Bentonville was fought in mid-March 1865. The Confederacy was in dire straits. To the north around Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia, Union General U.S. Grant commanded a group of armies totaling more than 100,000 well-supplied soldiers that nearly encircled Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of the Potomac with no more than 50,000 poorly supplied and ill-fed soldiers.

The main Confederate armies west of the Appalachians had been defeated and through a cold and rainy southern winter, Union General William T. Sherman drove his extremely competent and confident army of more than 60,000 veterans from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, and then north through the Carolinas, aiming to link up with Grant and finally snuff out the rebellion of the southern states by totally defeating Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Failure to defeat Lee’s Army, however, might have led to more years of the terrible war and unknown obstacles to reunification of the country, and Union failure was still a possibility in spite of the daunting threats facing the Confederacy

The Confederates had been confused by Sherman’s maneuvers through the Carolinas as he divided his army into two wings that seemed to aim at different objectives. The outnumbered Confederates were unable to mass enough men in a single place to slow Sherman’s progress in Georgia or South Carolina. Nonetheless, garrisons from places like Charleston, S.C., gathered with remnants of the Confederate Army of Tennessee and, under General Joseph E. Johnston, mustered a force of about 21,000 soldiers in Johnston County, North Carolina and resolved to hit one wing of Sherman’s army when it was beyond the immediate assistance of the other wing.

The N.C. History Sites website writes: “On March 19, 1865, Joseph E. Johnston organized his forces into a hook-shaped line at Cole’s Plantation, blocking the Goldsboro Road. That morning William T. Sherman’s Federal Left Wing stumbled into the Confederate trap, just as it was being set.

“After a Union probing attack failed, the Confederates launched a massive assault

to hold on despite being surrounded on three sides by Confederate adversaries. Late that afternoon a strong Federal defense of the Morris Farm by the Left Wing’s XX Corps managed to squelch the Confederate advance. The first day’s fighting ended in a tactical draw.”

The next day, Sherman’s Ring Wing joined with the Left Wing and closed in on the Confederates. That night after some fierce fighting that threatened their escape route, the Confederates withdrew toward Smithfield, leaving Sherman—soon to be reinforced by Union forces moving northwest from Wilmington and New Bern—free to follow Johnston’s retreating forces or continue moving north toward a junction with Grant. The noose was tightened.

As the smoke cleared following the largest battle fought on North Carolina soil in the Civil War, residents of the small village of Bentonville, NC had to move on with their lives while living through unprecedented change and having witnessed firsthand the horrors of battle. In the 160 years since, people built this hallowed ground into a commemorative landscape to honor the soldiers who fell here while still living and working in this community turned battlefield. Photographs, maps, documents, and other historical images will help tell a story of the land since 1865 and how it was preserved and managed by the community and, later, the state historic site.

Colby Lipscomb has written: “People

make the Bentonville story – the families who picked up the pieces of the ravaged landscape, the veterans who first made pilgrimages, the historians who desired to preserve the sites of tragedy and bravery, the descendants connecting to their ancestors, the visitors hoping to learn something new, and the dedicated staff and volunteers who labored to make those experiences possible.” Hear some of those stories in this presentation.

Located east of I-95 in Johnston County, N.C., the area is still largely rural and the state of North Carolina with tremendous assistance from the American Battlefield Trust has preserved approximately 2,000 acres of battlefield land. It is a gem of battlefield preservation less than 100 miles from Wilmington. It’s all the more remarkable when one notes that it wasn’t until 1957, with the Centennial of the Civil War approaching, that the State of North Carolina appropriated $25,000 to purchase 51 acres to ensure preservation of some of the battlefield land.

Bentonville, and the people of North Carolina, also benefitted by the exponential increase in battlefield preservation that began in the 1990s as historians, preservationists and ordinary citizens interested in Civil War history realized that ravenous development was swallowing up historic landscapes wholesale. A shopping mall project in Northern Virginia in the late 1980s virtually wiped out the September 1, 1862 battlefield of Chantilly or Ox Hill. Following the Confederacy’s crushing defeat of the Union

History

army at Second Manassas or Bull Run, the Union staved off catastrophe by halting a major Confederate force under Stonewall Jackson at an important crossroads about 15 miles from Washington, D.C.

Official Washington took notice and the loss of the battlefield engendered a preservation movement that included Federal action establishing a commission to review the nation’s Civil War battlefields and prepare a report ranking them in terms of their historic importance and the practicality of preservation. The Civil War Sites Advisory Commission led by preeminent historian Ed Bearss, who had recently retired as chief historian of the National Park Service, wrote: “This nation’s Civil War heritage is in grave danger It is disappearing under buildings, parking lots, and highways.”

The commission identified and assessed “some 10,500 armed conflicts” of the Civil War and 384 conflicts were identified as “principal battles.” Bentonville was one of 45 sites ranked in Class A (having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war) and given a Preservation Priority of 1.1 meaning

it was considered one of the “Battlefields With Critical Need for Coordinated Nationwide Action by the Year 2000.” Bentonville was ranked sixth on the list of Priority One, Class A battlefields.

Thankfully, the Bentonville Battlefield has been substantially preserved. Other sites across the country and here in North Carolina have not, however, and those interested in finding out more about battlefield land in need of preservation are urged to review the American Battlefield Trust website.

The Feb. 12 meeting begins at 7 pm and doors open at 6:30 pm. Come and hear the story of the preservation of the Bentonville Battlefield. As usual, the meeting will be held in Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1219 Forest Hills Drive in Wilmington. The centrally located meeting place is near Independence Mall. The church parking lot and entrance to the meeting room is easily accessed via Park Avenue off of Independence Boulevard. All are welcome. For more information about membership, check out the Round Table’s website at https://www.cfcwrt.org/ See you there!

History Lunch with History

SHS Brings Past to the Table for Its 50th Year

STORY CONTRIBUTED BY SOUTHPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

History is on the menu, and Southport’s historical characters are serving it up with stories worth savoring. As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, the Southport Historical Society (SHS) will debut Living Voices: Lunch with History on Feb. 18, at 11:30 am (1st seating) and 1 pm (2nd seating). It’s a unique lunchtime event when guests can meet and talk with interpreters portraying real Southport residents from decades and centuries past. The program is free to SHS members, $10 for non-members, and includes a light meal.

The idea developed naturally from the Society’s popular program, Living Voices of the Past, held annually in the Smithville Burying Ground. “That event is always very popular,” said SHS board member Mary Ellen Poole, “but some people can’t attend because it can be hard to walk in the burying ground. We wanted to do something special for our 50th anniversary that would allow more people to participate. A lunch event felt warm, welcoming, and accessible.”

This year’s theme, “50 Years: Living History, Sharing Community,” is woven through every element of the celebration. “One of the benefits of a local historical society is that we’re able to tell the stories of the everyday lives of people who lived in and built the community,” said SHS President, Liz Fuller. “We want people to realize that history is all around them, not just something to read in books.”

Lunch guests will meet a cast of memorable Southport citizens brought back to life through detailed research and performance. Among the people they might meet:

•Lottie Adkins (Theresa Radziewicz), grandmother of Southport author Robert Ruark and inspiration for a character in his semi-autobiographical novel, “The Old Man and the Boy.”

•Thomas Brinkman (Joe Loughlin), Cape Fear River Pilot and Confederate Blockade runner.

•Rebecca Brown (Musette Steck), who lived to the remarkable age of 102 and witnessed more than a century of Southport’s change.

•Stuart Callari (as herself!), co-founder of the Brunswick Little Theatre.

•Annie Clemmons (Annette Clemmons) a nurse who worked in secret for the right for Black citizens to vote in Brunswick County.

•Sarah Twining Curtis (Claire McNaught), the “middle” wife of Dr. W. G. Curtis, former mayor and long-time head of the quarantine station.

•Dr. J. Arthur Dosher (Randy Jones), South-

port’s well-known surgeon who was instrumental in establishing Brunswick County hospital, later renamed in his honor.

•Sonny Dosher (Travis Gilbert), Confederate Army veteran, lighthouse keeper of Bald Head Lighthouse from 1882-1915.

•Deputy J. B. Fountain (Rick Mitchell), Brunswick County jailer who was once overpowered by an escaping murderer.

•Abram Galloway (James White), a soldier in the US Colored Troops.

•Susan King (Debbie Scavuzzo), Southport’s librarian who served in WWII as a nurse in the Pacific and as a war correspondent, rivaling Japan’s “Tokyo Rose”

•Miriam Gore Lane (Alexis Graves), Brunswick County Jeanes Supervisor, advising teachers and monitoring student progress in rural Black schools.

•Rebecca Long (Barbara Lemos), widow of the first lighthouse keeper on Bald Head Island, a woman about whom Thomas Jefferson said, “neither he nor the country was ready for.”

•Susan Loughlin (Sue Crippen), who, for several years, raised her family inside the Old Jail, making sure her children and the inmates were all properly fed.

•Kate Stuart (Pat Kirkman), remembered as the Grand Old Lady of North Carolina, whose ingenuity and hospitality put the Stuart Inn on the map.

•Jessie Taylor (Liz Fuller), the weather observer and storm display person who was credited with saving hundreds of lives during her 55 years of service.

•Dr. D. I. Watson (Wes Collins), the physician who guided Southport through the 1918 influenza pandemic.

•Judge Sam Watts (John Moseley), Colonel in the NC Militia, delegate to the 1868 Constitutional Convention, and NC Superior Court judge in opposition to KKK.

One of the most exciting moments for

the interpreters is when they decide who to portray. “The interpreters each selected an individual to represent who touched them in some way,” Fuller explained. “They felt compelled to bring that person to life for other people.”

Preparing for these roles is part research, part art. Performers read books, articles, and historical documents, and whenever possible, they talk with family members who still remember the people being portrayed. Sometimes, those connections are especially close to home. Joe Loughlin is portraying his great-great-grandfather; Randy Jones is portraying his great-grandfather; Annette Clemmons is portraying her great-aunt; Alexis Gore is portraying her aunt; and Stuart Callari will be portraying herself.

In a wonderful twist, Callari, an experienced actor and co-founder of Brunswick Little Theatre, is bringing her own story to the table. At 91, she has fascinating life stories, and we couldn’t imagine her portraying anyone more interesting or charming than herself.

As organizers prepared for the event, they were struck by how closely the lives of many of the historical figures overlapped. At different times, both the Fountain and Loughlin families lived at the jail. The land the jail was built on was originally owned by Kate Stuart, who was the first president of the Woman’s Club founded by Jessie Stevens Taylor. Jessie safeguarded the entire town by hanging flags on the weather tower to signal the approach of storms. Nurse Annie Clemmons and Drs. Watson and Dosher cared for everyone when

they were injured or sick. They were all part of a larger community, each contributing what they could to their neighbors.

That sense of shared community, past and present, is at the heart of the 50th Anniversary theme of “Living History, Sharing Community.”

“This event fits our theme perfectly,” said Poole. “We’re sharing the lives of Southport’s past citizens with the community today.”

The Society hopes guests leave with curiosity sparked and perspectives broadened. “We want people to have fun and learn a little in the process,” said Fuller. “We hope they are intrigued by Southport’s history and want to learn more, and maybe even get involved with the Society.”

Volunteers are always welcome. Whatever a person’s talent or interest, whether it’s reenacting, researching, planning events, giving tours, participating in our annual home tour, or helping with publicity, there is something they can do to help.

Living Voices: Lunch With History is just one highlight in a full year of programs. On Feb. 6, the Society will present an original play at the 14th Black History Symposium, telling the story of Frank Gordon, born enslaved, who became an educator and spent 55 years teaching throughout Brunswick County. Meanwhile, a year-long project titled “50 Southport Stories” will feature Southport residents sharing personal, family, and researched stories on video, and will be available on Facebook, YouTube, and the Society’s website. And as always, SHS will host monthly Second Tuesday Talks, quarterly meetings with interesting speakers, and the annual Living Voices of the Past and the 2026 Holiday Home Tour.

As the Southport Historical Society celebrates 50 years, its original purpose remains unchanged: to research, preserve, and share Southport’s history for generations to come. And this February, Southport’s past will be more alive than ever, ready to greet guests, swap stories, and share a meal.

How can people get tickets?

Living Voices: Lunch with History

Location: Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Time: 11:30 (1st seating Members only) 1:00 (2nd seating Open to All)

Admission: Free to members; $10 non-members

Tickets: www.southporthistoricalsociety.org

History

Lessons From The Past 55 Years of Teaching in Brunswick County

STORY CONTRIBUTED BY SOUTHPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

History takes the stage on Friday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) at the Southport Community Building during the three-day 14th Annual Brunswick County Black History Symposium.

This year’s featured performance, Professor Frank Gordon: 55 Years of Teaching, written by Southport Historical Society President, Liz Fuller, Ph.D., shares the story of a man who spent his life opening doors for others through the power of education.

Born enslaved on a Brunswick County plantation, Frank was nine years old when the Civil War ended. After emancipation, like so many newly freed citizens, he was eager to learn. That early hunger for knowledge led him to a career as a teacher. For fifty-five years, Gordon taught hundreds of Brunswick County children to read and write, showing them that education could lift them to a better life.

Portraying Professor Gordon is James Fish, a lifelong educator whose classroom experience brings authenticity and depth to the role. Keyboardist Taraus Deas will once again provide live music, lending emotion and atmosphere to the performance. Several Brunswick County school-

children will also take part, representing the next generation of learners and reminding the audience that the story of education is still unfolding today.

One young star is Jefferson McCracken, whose family has lived in Brunswick County for generations. Some may still remember his great-grandfather, George McCracken, who was the first Black Police Chief in Brunswick County. At just nine years old, Jefferson is already an experienced performer. He sings with the district youth choir at his church, Christian Chapel AMEZ, and appears annually in Christmas at the Amuzu, where he has sung solos the past two seasons.

Frank Gordon, who is the subject of the play, still has descendants living in Southport. One of them is his great-great-granddaughter, Judy Gordon, Chair of John N. Smith Restoration and Preservation, Inc. This non-profit oversees the care of the largest African American cemetery in Brunswick County which is also the final resting place of Professor Gordon. The Gordon family’s ongoing presence in Southport is a reminder that local history is more than just chapters in history books. It’s the story of people and events that shaped our community and influenced the lives we lead now.

What’s the significance of this year’s program?

Liz Fuller (playwright/director): It’s impossible to measure the impact that Frank Gordon had on Brunswick County. He taught for 55 years in one-room schoolhouses across the county, teaching hundreds of children to learn to read. He influenced generations to reach for more in their lives and to prioritize the education of their children and grandchildren. Gordon’s own grandson obtained a PhD and a J.D. and served for 30 years as a diplomat in the U.S. State Department. What motivated you to participate in the project?

James Fish (Frank Gordon): I relate to Frank Gordon’s story in many ways. I was born in the little country town of Ideal in Macon County, Georgia. Of course, Georgia was very segregated back then. My parents both worked in the fields picking cotton. Eventually, my father obtained a job laying railings on the train tracks. My mother, who had an eleventh-grade education, worked the fields in the morning and in the afternoon, she was my teacher for the first two years of my education.

We were taught in a very small dwelling, no running water nor heat. We were 12 students, and my mother divided us by years. We had slate boards on which to write, and the old books that the white school had discarded to read. From that point on, I had a thirst for learning.

I imagine my early classroom experience was very similar to the schools in which Frank Gordon taught. And my desire for learning, and for teaching, was also very similar to his. I retired with forty-eight years as an educator. As I reflect on my career, I would like to believe that I had some impact on the lives of my students just as Professor Gordon did on his. He paved the way for many of those who came after him. Truly a great individual. I’m excited to share his story.

Jefferson McCracken (student): [It’s] something magical and now I love history. What do you hope the audience takes away from the performance?

Fish: As I learned about Professor Frank Gordon and his unwavering and triumphant

impact on the education of Black children, I became very excited about the possibility of participating in this presentation about aspects of his life. I hope the audience is inspired by his story.

McCracken: I hope people learn about Mr. Gordon and what he did.

Fuller: I hope that people come away with a better understanding of how history connects across generations. When stories like Frank Gordon’s are told in the very community in which they happened, and especially when young people take part in telling them, they stop being distant history and start to become a meaningful part of our shared identity. That’s the real power of local history: it brings the past close enough for us to feel it.

About the Brunswick County Black History Symposium

Founded in 2012 by Donnie Joyner, this annual three-day gathering celebrates the lives and legacies of Brunswick County’s Black residents through theater, music, and educational programming. Presented in partnership with the Southport Historical Society and supported by the City of Southport, it brings local history to life while highlighting the enduring contributions of the county’s Black community. Since 2020, the Symposium has also received support from the Brunswick County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council. The weekend opens on Friday with a theatrical performance, followed on Saturday with lectures, demonstrations and exhibits on local history, and concludes on Sunday with a popular afternoon Gospelfest, directed by Gwen Wearren.

How To Get Your Tickets

Professor Frank Gordon: 55 Years of Teaching is a free program, but reservations are required. Free tickets can be reserved at www.southporthistoricalsociety.org.

Brunswick County Black History Symposium Opening Night

Location: Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St.

Date: Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)

Admission: Free, but reservations are required.

Tickets: www.southporthistoricalsociety. org

History Atlanta Campaign

February Brunswick Civil War Roundtable

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The grueling campaign began on May 1, 1864. Atlanta was the linchpin of the South’s hopes and the North’s determination, and the city became the epicenter of a battle that would change the course of history forever. Volumes have been written about the Atlanta Campaign. Historian David A. Powell, guest speaker at the Tuesday, Feb. 3 meeting of the Brunswick Civil War Round Table, will tackle the subject in his presentation entitled, “The Atlanta Campaign: Missed Opportunities.”

“I’ve got Joe Johnston dead!” Or so Union Gen. William T. Sherman exclaimed upon hearing that fellow Gen. James B. McPherson won the Battle of Resaca on May 13 – 15 over Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and his Army of Tennessee. Famously, that turned out not to be true, one of the great “lost opportunities” of the entire war. But in fact, there were other such turning points in the first month of the campaign, each perhaps more significant

than Resaca. By the summer of 1864, the struggle reached its peak. It was also the time when the nation’s destiny hung in the balance, and pivotal to the reelection of Abraham Lincoln.

Contrary to popular belief Sherman did not set out to capture Atlanta. His orders were to move against Johnston’s army, to break it up and to get into the interior of the enemy’s country, inflicting maximum damage against their war resources which were vital to the Confederate war effort. Over time, Johnston retreated, and Southern fears for the city grew. As Sherman advanced, Northern expectations increased. Despite these early encounters, the Atlanta Campaign was far from over.

David Powell is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. He is an award-winning author, has published numerous articles in various magazines, and more than 15 historical simulations of different battles. His current project is a five-volume study of the Atlanta Campaign, which promises to be this generation’s definitive treatment of one of the most important and fascinating confrontations of the entire Civil War.

This will be the second meeting of the New Year, and will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach. Registration begins at 6:15 pm and the program starts at 7 pm. The visitor fee is still only $10, and may be applied toward the $25 annual

membership dues, which importantly can include a spouse. Incidentally, about one-third of our audiences are female!

For more information about the meeting or the Round Table, please contact president John Butler at Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com, or call him directly at (404) 229-9425. Or, visit their website at Brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com for background and current information, news, and updates, or the Facebook page.

Swing For Success:

SPOTTINGS

Approved by the national board on January 30, 1976, the nation’s bicentennial year, Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR marked the occasion of its 50th anniversary at their January meeting with a review of the chapter’s history led by former regents Gwen Clemmons Causey and Carol Jutte.

Several local women were members of Wilmington’s Stamp Defiance chapter when discussions began about forming a chapter that would identify with and meet in Brunswick County. Brunswick Town was selected as the name for the potential chapter because it was the first seat of colonial government in North Carolina. Upon approval, five individuals transferred from Stamp Defiance, two members at large joined, one lapsed member joined and seven new members joined the group. Of the original members, all are deceased except Sandra Dail Thomas of Shallotte who served as the chapter’s first recording secretary. Her mother was also a DAR member.

Since its fledgling days, the chapter has grown each year, beginning the 51st year with a membership of 175 active and two dozen prospective members.

Dosher Memorial Hospital hosted a drive-through food donation event in December which, between staff and community donations combined, collected over 500pounds of food. Dosher staff coordinated distribution to the Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship (SOIICF) food pantry located in Boiling Spring Lakes, which provides food assistance and emergency financial help to 400-500 local families each month.

Dosher President and CEO Lynda Stanley said, “We appreciate the important work of the SOIICF food pantry, and were grateful to help them provide nutritional resources to the clients they serve. Our hope is that our contributions along with those of our generous community helped local families enjoy holiday traditions without hunger.”

Dosher Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Southport, operates a network of medical and surgical services in their local area, including five primary care clinics, a walk-in clinic, a general surgery practice, and a women’s health clinic, a nationally recognized Wound Care Center, cardiac rehabilitation, and a full spectrum of therapy services, with physical, occupational, and speech. Dosher’s hospital services include a 24-hour Emergency Department and a 25-bed inpatient care unit. Dosher offers a comprehensive orthopedics and joint replacement program, utilizing robotic technology for many procedures. For more detailed information on service lines, visit Dosher. org.

Regular chapter activities include support of active duty military and the VA Hospital at Fort Bragg, participation in the July 4th naturalization ceremony, support of Habitat for Humanity, Brunswick Town State Historic Site, Brunswick Community College students, literacy, conservation, historic preservation, Wreaths Across America and many more activities. Members have held district, state and national offices.

As the chapter looks forward to the next 50 years, Regent Barbara McIntyre notes the increasing importance of the work done by NSDAR chapters around the world. She noted that in 2024, the last complete tally, NSDAR members contributed more than six million service hours to a myriad of causes. The tally for 2025 is underway.

“We have a duty to carry on the good work begun in 1890 by our founding members to make our country and the world a better place, day by day, hour by hour,” McIntyre said. Chapter information is available on the Internet at the following URL: https://brunswicktown.ncdar.org/ and on Facebook. For a national overview, visit www.dar.org Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical service organization for women who can prove direct, blood lineage from a Revolutionary War Patriot. The organization promotes patriotism, education, and historic preservation.

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BED | 2 BATH | $239,999. This 1,392 sq ft cottage offers great potential and a functional

MARKETPLACE

layout with a split floor plan, open living area with cathedral ceilings, sunroom, and one-car garage. Built in 1995, the home is move-in ready but could benefit from updates—perfect for phased improvements. Enjoy low HOA dues, fantastic amenities (pool, tennis court, kayak launch), and the security of a gated community. Plus, proximity to the Sunset Harbor Public Boat Launchmakes this a mustsee opportunity! Call Sherol Lappala, Southport Realty, Inc., for more information, (910) 363-7422.

114 W. 14TH STREET. 3 BED | 2.5 BATH | $445,000. This nearly new townhome combines modern style, thoughtful upgrades, and low-maintenance living-all just minutes from downtown Southport. The sought-after layout features a 1st-floor owner’s suite with a custom walk-in closet and spalike bath, plus an open-concept living area ideal for entertaining. Enjoy a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and an oversized island that flows into the great room, screened porch, and fenced backyard. Upstairs offers 2 spacious bedrooms, a full bath, and a versatile loft. With LVP flooring throughout, washer/dryer included, custom blinds, and HOA-covered lawn care, this move-in-ready home offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and style. Call Sarah Smith, Southport Realty, Inc., for more information, (910) 443-8000.

4164 CAMBRIDGE COVE

CIRCLE,UNIT 1. 3 BED | 3 BATH

| $429,900. Low-Maintenance Living at Its Best — You Deserve It! Spend less time on upkeep and more time enjoying life! Soak up the sun on Oak Island’s beautiful beaches, stroll the charming streets of historic Southport, or head out on the water with nearby marina access and public boat ramps. This spacious end-unit townhome features a 2-car garage, 3 bedrooms + office/4th bedroom & screened porch with peaceful pond views. Enjoy resort-style amenities just across the footbridge—clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts all included! Call Lee Ann Walker, Southport Realty, Inc., for more information, (919) 795-7386.

1524 PLEASANT HOLLOW

COURT 4 BED | 3 BATH

| $359,000. 2.75% VA

Assumable Rate! Incredible opportunity for qualified buyersask the listing agent for details! Priced Below Tax Value! This beautiful home sits on a corner lot with no side neighbor and

a fully fenced backyard with two gates! Inside you’ll love the open-concept layout, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a main-floor bedroom + full bath - perfect for guests or multi-gen living. Avalon offers resort style amenities: pool, fitness center, pickleball, dog park, firepit, cornhole, bocce ball, horseshoe pit & a 15-acre lake for kayaking and fishing! 2.75% VA Assumable Rate! Call Katherine Wooten, Southport Realty, Inc., (910) 620-8962 for more information.

4537 FLEETWOOD DRIVE. 3 BED | 2 BATH | $279,000. PRICE REDUCTION-MOTIVATED SELLER! Enjoy single level living in this 1,259 square foot cottage on a spacious .34 acre cul-desac lot in Carolina Place. Great location, just minutes to the bridge to Oak Island and easy access to Southport as well. AND NO City Taxes! Brand New fortified roof which translates to lower HomeOwners insurance rates. And the HVAC is just two years old. Spacious great room with cathedral ceilings and gas fireplace. Sellers installed LVP flooring throughout living areas two years ago. Neighborhood pool and crabbing dock (RV and Boat storage available on a first come first serve basis). Storage building in rear yard for all your yard tools and beach toys. What’s not to love! Call Sherol Lappala, Southport Realty, Inc., (910) 363-7422 for more information.

CALENDAR

We’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.goc/PROGRAMS. — Lisa

February

FEB 3

Art Show and Reception

This art show, hosted by the Southport Women’s Club and the City of Southport, will highlight works from South Brunswick High School students. First place winners will advance to the district competition, and winners from that level advance to the state. The reception is 5-7 pm at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St.

FEB 3

Brunswick Civil War Round Table

Guest speaker and prolific author, David A. Powell will speak about “The Atlanta Campaign: Missed Opportunities.” In the summer of 1864, Atlanta became the linchpin of the South’s hopes and the North’s determination. Each side was seeking victory. The city became the epicenter of a battle that became the turning point of the war, where lost opportunities and false hopes prevailed. It’s a chilling saga between two very determined armies. The group meets at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach. Registrations begin at 6:15 pm and the programs start at 7 pm. The visitor fee is $10 and may be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues, which importantly can include a spouse.

FEB 5

Dosher Memorial Foundation Heart to Heart

The hospital foundation hosts this annual event at the Homer E. Wright Event Center (4136 Southport-Supply Road), 5-7 pm. The evening will include heart health education, raffles, appetizers and wine, and special guests. The event is $40 per person.

FEB 5

Artist Reception — Leland

“Rooted in NC Soil: Botanical Art and Illustration,” a solo exhibition of art by Mari Yamashita de Moya, will be shown at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, from Feb. 2-27. A reception will be held on Feb. 5, from 6-8 pm at the Center. The exhibit will feature 2D works on paper and quilted fiber art featuring plants that grow in North Carolina.

FEB 7

Valentines Dance

Bring your sweetie, your kids, or anyone special in your life to this dance at the Oak Island Recreation Center, 3003 E. Oak Island Drive. The dance is 5:307:30 pm and includes refreshments, games, music and dancing. The cost is $5 for residents.

FEB 7 AND 14

For the Love of Frogs

Fort Fisher Aquarium leads two days of training for potential FrogWatch USA volunteers. You’ll learn how to identify identify frog and toad species by their calls, collect data and share findings with a national online database for scientists performing conservation research. Volunteers will need to attend both training sessions, 10 am to 4 pm on Feb 7 and 10 am to 1 pm on February 14. The sessions will be held at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

FEB 12

Coastal Consumer Showcase

The Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual event which highlights local businesses and the goods and services they offer. The Show is 4-7 pm at the Homer E. Wright Center at St. James (the Community Center), 4136 Southport-Supply Road

(N.C. 211), and entry is free. There will be giveaways, samples, and a pick-aprize auction.

FEB 9-16

Memorial Art Show

Though still closed for the season until Feb. 16, Franklin Square Gallery is hosting a memorial art show to celebrate the works of some of the area’s favorite late artists. The gallery is at 130 E. West St., Southport, and the hours are 1 am to 4 pm for this show.

FEB 15

Darling Daughter Dance

WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. hosts this dance that’s the perfect opportunity for fathers and father figures to spend some time with their favorite girl. The dance is held at the Southport Community Building4-7 pm. Tickets are $40 and include red carpet photos, dancing and dessert. Visit www.waves4kids.org for tickets and more information.

FEB 16-MARCH 14

Spring Art Show

The Gallery reopens for the season with its annual spring show, featuring

2D and 3D works from local artists. The Gallery is at 130 E. West St., Southport (next to Franklin Square Park) and is open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday.

FEB 21

Mardi Gras by the Sea - Oak Island

The Mardi Gras parade steps off at 11 am at SE 63rd Street toward the Middleton Park Complex (SE 46th Street and Dolphin Drive). The festival is from noon to 4 pm, and includes arts and crafts vendors, food, a kid zone and live music

FEB 21

Stamp Act Resistence

Join us at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic site (8884 St. Philips Road (off N.C. 133), Winnabow) as we travel back in time to February 1766 as tensions are growing in the lower Cape Fear regarding the dreaded stamp act. Visitors can expect to see and interact with interpreters portraying key players of the stamp at resistance in Brunswick Town. Two lectures will be taking place throughout the day. John Mosley from the Maritime Museum at Southport will be discussing the events

CALENDAR

leading up to the resistance in Brunswick at 10am and Hunter Ingram from the Burgwyn-Wright will be discussing the course of the events in February 1766 in Brunswick at 1pm. Activities for kids will include making tricorn hats and painting toy soldiers.

FEB 21

Dancing in DEfiance: A Night of Merriment and Rebellion

Visitors will experience period music, dancing and a vignette of the march on Tryon’s house during the Stamp Act resistance in 1766. The reenactment will be fully immersive as visitors join the mob. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 12-18. The merriment commences at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, 8884 St. Philips Road, WInnabow (off N.C. 133), 5-8 pm. Sponsorships are available for covering the costs for food and beverages and shuttles to Russellborough. For more information email btfastrategicplan@gmail.com or call at 910-3716613.

FEB 28

Hidden Battleship

Enjoy a unique, behind-the-scenes tour of unrestored areas on the Battleship. Participants are led to areas in the bow, third deck, and below, and the superstructure, including all the way to the very top! This program requires climbing ladders, crossing high hatches, and going through tight/confined spaces. The tour is limited to ages 16 and older and tickets sell out quickly. Tickets are $60; visit https://battleshipnc.com/ programs-and-events/ to purchase. The battleship site is at 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington (west side of the Cape Fear River).

FEB 28

Tidewater Camellia Club Annual Show & Sale — Wilmington

If you love the idea of beautiful, colorful flowering shrubs in the winter, then camellias might be for you. Visit to the show/sale to see more than 100 camellias planted In the Arboretum, hundreds of beautiful camellia blooms at the show, and hundreds of plants available for purchase. Admission is free, and doors open at 11 am to 3:30 pm at the Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. Activities will include free

garden tours, hands-on workshops, camellia care presentation, Q&A with experts, local schools’ camellia art displays, and floral displays by local clubs. Visit www.tidewatercamelliaclub.org for more information.

MARCH 3

Brunswick Civil War Round Table

“The Incredible Odyssey of Nicholas Said: From Central Africa through Czarist Russia to the Frontlines of the Civil War.” Journalist and author Dean Calbreath will attend this meeting to share the forgotten history of Nickolas Said, whose adventures began in a thousand year-old African kingdom. He was a master of languages, a collector of knowledge, and a friend to kings and tsars, and he later became a Union Army sergeant in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. The Round Table meets at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach. Registrations begin at 6:15 pm and the programs start at 7 pm. The visitor fee is $10 and may be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues.

MARCH 4

Wine, Women & Chocolate — Save the Date!

The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce hosts this evening event at SeaTrail Convention Center, 75A Clubhouse Road in Sunset Beach. Plan for an evening of shopping, sweet treats, and time well spent with friends. Tickets are $50 and will include event admission, one drink ticket, one raffle ticket, shopping, food, and plenty of chocolate.

MARCH 7

North Carolina Rice Festival

Fully telling the story of the region’s rice-growing legacy and its Gullah Geechee heritage are the two main goals of the North Carolina Rice Festival. Through fun, insightful, and family-friendly activities, we strive to fulfill our motto of “Education through Celebration” by hosting a series of live, destination events at the historic Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson site (8884 St Philips Road, Winnabow - off N.C. 133). The event is 10 am to 5 pm.

Dau ghter

pportunity for dads & dad figures to bring avorite girl out for a memorable evening.

Sunda y , Februar y 1 5 th , 4 - 7 pm Sunday, February 15th, 4-7 pm

To support the mission of WAVES 4 K I D S & become an event sponsor call: Jennifer@828 230 1160

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Odell WIlliamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College

150 College Road NE, Bolivia

Feb 6 — The Boss Project: The Premier Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band

Feb 27 — Jim Witter: Feelin’ Groovy Show, Featuring Songs of Simon & Garfunkel Visit https://bccowa.com/ for tickets.

Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College

701 N. Third St., Wilmington

Feb 4 — Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

Feb 7 — The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra performs Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons

Feb 11 — David Foster & Katherine McFee

Feb 13 — An Evening with Sutton Foster

Feb 14 — Trey Kennedy

Feb 15 — Drum Tao

Feb 17-18 — Chicago: The Musical March 5-7 — Mama Mia!

CALENDAR

March 14 — The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra performs Classical Connections

March 15 — KC & The Sunshine Band

March 18 — The Peking Acrobats

March 19 — Shenandoah Visit https:// wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.

Thalian Hall

310 Chestnut St., Wilmington

Feb 5-15 — The Techmoja Dance and Theatre Company presents “The Scottsboro Boys”

Feb 6-15 — The Thalian Association Community Theatre presents “Murder on the Orient Express”

Feb 12 — Cordâme Fabula Femina

Feb 19-March 1 — The Opera House Theatre Company performs “To Kill A Mockingbird”

Feb 27-March 8 — Failed Deb Productions presents True Confessions of a Failed Debutante

March 3 — Dance troupe Pilobolus performs Other Worlds

March 5 — Three Italian Tenors

March 6 — BASILE’S - BasileLicious World Tour

March 7 — Mutts Gone Nuts

March 13-15 — 1776 The Musical from the Thalian Association Community Theatre

Check https://www.thalianhall.org/ calendar for more information.

ONGOING EVENTS

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: Call 910-457-6237 to register for programs. 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.

Ruark Library, 5068 Main St., Shallotte

Storytime for toddles and pre-K on Thursdays at 10:30 am, and the Teen Chess Club meets on Mondays at 4 pm.

Southwest Brunswick Branch, 9400 Ocean Hwy West (U.S. 17), Carolina Shores: Move It Monday library workouts are at 9 am on Mondays. Chess Club meets on Tuesdays at 3 pm.

NC Maritime Museums - Southport

204 E. Moore St.

The Skipper’s Crew program for young visitors is Silly Stingrays on Feb. 7 and Hearts and Crafts Day on Feb. 14; Skipper’s Crew programs are 10 am to 3 pm. 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 to register for special programs.

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. The Gallery opens for the season on Feb 16.

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/ 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 Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm (until 7 pm Tuesday and Thursday) and Sundays from noon until 4 pm. Touch tank feedings are Fridays at 11 am. Also open February 15-16 for President’s Day

.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 on Fridays and 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 us on Facebook.

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.