June 2026 Southport Magazine

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

Flavors of The S ea son Misty Float or Freeze

Newspaper people have a reputation for being cynical. If you get a bit down from reading the news, imagine the news being your entire working life. It can be rough. My vision for these magazines has always been to not go down that road, to, in fact, be an antidote to the negativity out in the world by focusing on the good happening all around us. It’s never really difficult. The bright spots are all around us if you look, and the more you look the more you find. More than once while putting this issue together, I was a really struck by how simple it can be to do good. Take the people over at Paws-Ability, for example. They’re nearly 200 strong and are making a difference in the lives of pets and those who love them. But the organization started, as you’ll read, at a pot luck dinner where some ladies decided to put their resources together to build something good. It’s that simple — not easy at all, a lot of work really, but at it’s heart, simple. There are stories like that all around us, and I hope that you will, like me, take the time to focus on the positive and see all the bright spots. And maybe make some of your own.— 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

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

Community

The Fishing Brothers Young Entrepreneurs At Bald Head Fishing Co.

STORY BY JANET FORTNEY, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Brothers Jack and Paxton King, co-founders of Bald Head Fishing [BHI] Co., are making dreams come true, both their own and those of their clients who want to experience the thrill and joy of fishing – without wrestling with its frustrating complexities and myriad details. What’s especially impressive about Jack and Pax –whose three-year-old business boasts nearly 500 past students – is that they are 17- and 14-years-old, respectively.

“It was in 2024 during COVID,” explained Jack, “that we started really becoming interested in fishing. We met our neighbor Billy Richardson and he really, really, really got us to be passionate about fishing. We went out with him a lot and caught more species of fish than I think we’ve ever even known in our lifetime. And then we [watched] YouTube videos and taught ourselves a little bit how to fish to kind of better ourselves.”

BHI Fishing Co. offers private and semi-private fishing lessons (which are currently filling up quickly for Summer 2026),

rental gear, products, and apparel options for people of all ages and abilities. Lesson types include full-service beach fishing; guided belt fishing, which is targeted to experienced anglers seeking larger game fish; and surf- and in-shore fishing. All services take place on BHI. One popular experience is the “Happy Hour Beach Safari,” an educational, non-fishing outing for K-3 kids whose parents want to grab a drink or a quick bite sans children.

“One of our mottos,” said Pax, “is ‘free delivery to your dock, door, or beach chair.’ For boaters, like those coming from Southport, we can meet them and bring everything directly to their boat. With our rental service, people don’t have to buy a rod or carry theirs over on the ferry. The rental rods are exactly what we use everyday for lessons and personal use.”

capital. “I’m a little bit of an artist,” Jack said modestly, “so I designed a t-shirt for the business and we pre-sold that for funding.” BHI and Southport residents snatched up the shirts and the company took off. Jack said the local communities “helped support us in pretty much every single way that we needed them to. That summer, we started with lessons, teaching kids, families, and adults and we also did three or four pop-up merchandise shops.”

ing some “really big sharks” and then watching them “slip away into the water,” chasing rods that large fish have pulled out of their holders, and catching a sand dollar and a sea turtle (neither of which were harmed during the experiences). While Jack admits that working with his younger brother has “extremely high points” as well as moments of doubt, Pax added, “we have very cohesive personalities. Jack’s very strong with art, so he handles the t-shirt and packaging that bring our brand together. And I’m a little bit better at making the rigs and doing the reels. It all works together.”

Despite the challenges of juggling a thriving business, high school academics, sports commitments, and family responsi-

Soon after the boys’ love of fishing began in earnest, they participated in a day-long BHI Conservancy internship during which they assisted with a family surf-fishing event. “The thing that we most took out of that was how much we loved teaching those kids,” Jack said. “They actually invited us back for that summer to take over and help with the night surf-fishing program. Now we’ve been doing that for the last three years. So, during the off-season that year, Pax and I decided, you know what, let’s start this fishing company.”

Of course, start-ups require

The company’s second summer brought rapid expansion and rod and reel manufacturer partnerships with North Carolina-based Cashion Rods and Florida Fishing Products. “Our students wanted fishing rods,” said Pax, “but didn’t know what to buy. So, our motto became ‘Fishing Simplified’ and we started selling rods. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a tackle shop before, but it is very overwhelming. We had a lot of people asking us for tips on rigs and what species to catch. So I came up with five core Katchin’ Kits; they’re pretty much fishing rigs simplified and they come with very simple instructions. So whether you’ve fished 100 times or once, it’s super helpful.” Kits cost $8.95 each and are prehand-tied by the brothers.

The King’s work experiences have included catch-

bilities, neither young entrepreneur has lost the passion for angling that spawned BHI Fishing Co. “Fishing is my favorite thing to do in life, honestly,” said Jack. “Seeing a little kid catching a fish for the first time is 10 times better than personally catching a fish. It could be a two-inch pinfish and they think it’s the coolest thing they’ve ever seen.”

For now, the young men are actively tackling their goals. They continue to grow their lessons, manage an expanding apparel line, diversify their tackle products, focus on community and conservation efforts, and seek new business partnerships. Additionally, the website for Jack’s new enterprise Transom Row – which showcases his BHI- and Southport-inspired artwork – goes live this month (transomrow.

com). They hope to grow it into a Vineyard Vines-esque lifestyle brand. They are also actively “trying to put together a youth surfcasting team” to inspire the next generation of surfcasters.“It’s just kind of starting out small, but we’re really hoping to get more events in the future,” said Pax. Surfcasting, different from surf-fishing, is a competitive fishing method focusing on casting distance and accuracy.

As Jack and Pax’s college years approach, they’d both like to stay close to Brunswick County in order to continue to develop their varied business aspirations. Jack is eyeing UNC Chapel Hill and Pax is learning more about the business program at UNC Wilmington. This summer, you can find them working during BHI’s concert series events and farmers markets. For information about their services go to www.bhifishingco.com and email jackandpax@bhifishingco.com.  jacdpax@ bhifishingco.com

Jack’s & Pax’s Best Fishing Hacks

BHI Fishing Co.’s clients are often fishing newbies, with about 60 percent repeat customers. “We have a good amount of intermediate and advanced people,” said Pax, “who maybe fish somewhere else and come to us for local tips.” Did someone say local tips?

Jack: “One of my favorite tips from our neighbor Billy Richardson, who really taught us how to fish, is to always keep the rod tip up. That’s come in handy more times than I can count!”

Pax: “In terms of bait, just look to see what’s around you. Like, if you’re seeing shrimp jumping out of the water, then use shrimp because that most likely means that’s what the fish will be going after.”

Cycle-Logical Tours

Oak Island or Southport, Local or Visitor, E-Bike Tour Can Show You Something New

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Whetheryou’re new to Oak Island or Southport, a regular visitor, or a long-time resident, there’s always more you can learn about the area. Cycle-Logical Tours e-bike tours can show you your home or vacation spot in a whole new way, and probably teach you something too. We spoke to Cycle-Logical owner and lead tour curator Jewelean Mustard about all they have to offer.

What’s your background? History? Bikes? Tours/tourism?

Cycle-Logical Tours really grew out of a mix of personal passions rather than one single background. We are a husband-and-wife team, and we both love cycling, coastal living, local history, and finding ways to experience a place beyond the obvious tourist stops. We wanted to create something that made Oak Island and Southport feel more accessible, more interesting, and more connected—whether someone is here for the first time or has lived here for years. The e-bike component makes that possible

because it allows people to cover more ground without feeling like they need to be serious cyclists. How long has Cycle-Logical been operating?

Cycle-Logical Tours was founded in May 2025. We started with a soft launch on June 21, 2025, with friends and family, and officially launched to the public on July 4, 2025.

How do you come up with the tour routes and what to show off?

A lot of it comes from riding the routes ourselves, paying attention to the places people naturally respond to, and thinking about what makes the area special. We look for a blend of scenery, safety, story, and flow. A good route needs to be beautiful and enjoyable to ride, but it also needs to have meaningful stops—places where we

can talk about local history, wildlife, coastal ecology, film locations, hidden views, or the small details people might miss if they were just driving through.

For the Oak Island History Tour, what kinds of things do you talk about?

Oak Island is a very young town in the great scheme of things.

That’s actually part of what makes it fun! Oak Island may be a relatively young town officially, but the land and coastline have much deeper stories. On the history tour, we talk about maritime history, shipwrecks, coastal defense, the lighthouse, local legends, the relationship between the island and surrounding communities, and how this stretch of coastline has changed over time. We try to connect the “big history” of the coast with the everyday places people are riding past. What sort of experience or fitness level do people need?

The tours are designed to be beginner-friendly. Riders do need to know how to ride a standard bicy-

cle, but they do not need to be experienced cyclists. The e-bikes are pedal-assist, so you still pedal, but the motor gives you a boost and makes the ride much easier. We do a safety briefing and quick tutorial before each tour. Riders must be at least 16 to operate an e-bike, and riders under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Where do the tours meet in each town?

Oak Island tours start and end at the Oak Island Nature Center at 5202 E Yacht Dr. in Oak Island. Southport tours start and end at the Brunswick Street Boat Launch at 603 W. West St. in Southport. Private tours can be customized depending on the group and route.

Can you talk about your seasonal/ specialty tours? The Ghosts & Pirates and Bikes & Brews?

Our seasonal and specialty tours are where we get to have a little extra fun with the brand. The Ghosts & Pirates Tour is an October experience that leans into Oak Island’s darker coastal stories—shipwrecks, pirate lore, haunted shoreline legends, and twilight riding. The Ghosts & Pirates Tour was really popular with the locals. Bikes & Brews is more relaxed and social, combining a scenic e-bike ride with stops at Lone Rider and Solar Brewing.

Can you tell us little about your wellness and yoga rides?

Yes, wellness experiences are still part of the larger Cycle-Logical concept, but some are offered more by request or seasonally rather than promoted on every flyer. Our wellness-inspired rides are designed around gentle movement,

Biz Q&A

mindfulness, nature, and slowing down. Pedals & Poses combines an e-bike ride with beachside yoga, while Pedal Therapy incorporates light movement, breathwork, and a calming reset.

When did you add Southport?

We officially launched our Southport tours on Jan. 1, 2026. Southport felt like such a natural extension of what we were already doing on Oak Island because it has incredible history, charm, waterfront scenery, and of course a major film-location connection. It allowed us to create two very different experiences: a Southport History & Nature Tour and a Southport Film Locations Tour.

Can you tell us about the self-guided tour? How does that work?

The self-guided option is designed for people who want the freedom to explore at their own pace without a guide or group. Riders pick up the e-bikes at the Oak Island Nature Center, and we provide the bikes, helmets, locks, and suggested route access. It’s a flexible way to enjoy the island, follow scenic routes, and stop when and where you want. It works especially well for couples or solo adventurers

who want a more relaxed experience. How many people do you need for the private tours? Private tours require a minimum of two people. Because our fleet is intentionally small, private tours work especially well for couples, families, vacation groups, birthdays, bachelorette groups, anniversaries, proposals, and team-building. We can customize private rides around the group’s interests, timing, pace, and sometimes even the starting location.

What’s the most fun part of doing this? The most challenging?

The most fun part is watching people experience a familiar place in a new way. We love when someone says, “I had no idea this was here,” or when a visitor leaves feeling like they saw more than just the beach. There is something really rewarding about combining movement, storytelling, nature, and local connection into one experience. The most challenging part is probably the logistics behind the scenes— weather, scheduling, maintaining bikes, route planning, and making sure every rider feels safe and comfortable. But that is also part of what makes small-group tours feel personal.

What’s been the mix of locals to tourists? What’s the difference in what they get out of it?

Our main demographic has been people who have been vacationing

on Oak Island for a while and are looking for something new to do, along with people who have vacation homes and are trying it out to see if it’s something they might recommend or offer to their guests. What’s been really interesting is that the reaction is often similar whether someone is a tourist, a longtime visitor, or a local. People are usually surprised by how much they enjoy it, and they are also sur prised by how much they learn. We’ve even had locals who were born and raised in Southport come on tours and tell us they learned something new. That’s one of our favorite parts of the experience—it gives people an opportunity to re connect with a place they feel like they’ve known for years, but in a completely new way.

A few additional things worth sharing: Cycle-Logical Tours is lo cally owned and operated, and we keep our groups intentionally small so the experience feels personal, relaxed, and safe. For guests who already love riding, we also offer a bring-your-own-bike option, which is a great fit for locals, vacation homeowners, and visitors who al ready have bikes. At its core, Cy cle-Logical is not just about offer ing a bike ride—it is about helping people slow down, enjoy the coast, learn something new, and connect with Oak Island and Southport in a more meaningful way.

618 N. Howe

grand opening soiree´ friday, june 12th 4 - 7 pm at mirthos

Cycle-Logical Tours

cyclelogicaltours@gmail.com

7 days a week, weather permitting. Book online 24+ hours in advance, or call for last-minute spots. All tours are available by request – call to check availability. please join in celebrating 19 years in business help us welcome AND

Business Profile

Pet Urgent Care

Priority Pet Urgent Care Open Nights and Weekends

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE

As any pet owner knows, health problems can crop up at any time for our furry friends. With the opening of Priority Pet Urgent Care, located at 3356 Leland Town Center Dr., Suite 130, having your pet seen by a veterinarian will no longer require a drive to Wilmington or wait for an appointment. Priority Pet Urgent Care is across from the Lowes Home Improvement store and next to the car wash.

Dr. Kara Duffy, Veterinarian and Medical Director, explained the concept, “As a Veterinary Urgent Care, we are here to fill the gaps between your primary care veterinarian and Emergency or Specialty/Referral Hospitals. We welcome walk-ins and offer extended evening as well as weekend and holiday hours. This allows pet owners to have their animals assessed and cared for when waiting for an appointment isn’t feasible, but the situation does not require the advanced care offered by ER/Specialty vet hospitals. In this area, we will also be able to serve dogs and cats who are visiting with their families.”

Dawn McKelvey, Practice Manager, added, “Similar to the human ER, the animal ER can be overwhelming and often has longer wait times and higher costs. Many clients with a pet who need same day/urgent care are not having a true medical emergency but may not be able to see their primary

care provider immediately due to lack of availability or their own busy schedules. We are here to bridge that gap and facilitate continued care where it is best for the patient.”

Dr. Duffy continued, “Let’s say you come home from work at 6 pm and find that your cat has thrown up three times while you’ve been gone...or it’s Friday and your dog just started coughing and isn’t eating well...or you’ve taken your dog out boating on the weekend and they’ve cut their paw on an oyster shell...These are all times when it can be difficult to get a same-day appointment with your regular vet, but there may not be a need for the ER. That’s when Priority Pet Urgent Care can help diagnose the problem, implement treatment, and make a plan for ongoing care if needed.”

minutes, including blood work, X-Rays, fecal examination, ear cytology, etc. We have a surgical suite and anesthetic monitoring equipment, and will be able to perform some surgical procedures, although we cannot guarantee availability for surgery at all times or for all types of procedures.”

“We are staffed and have the resources to provide care and treatment for many conditions and are always happy to provide an evaluation to determine what is needed,” Dawn said. “For example, a few conditions presenting problems that may be most common are vomiting, diarrhea, skin infections, ear infections, eye infections, limping, coughing, urinary issues, wounds. We will be able to perform inhouse diagnostics for results within a few

If Dr. Duffy and her team see a pet that requires more advanced diagnostics or treatment than Priority Pet is able to provide, they facilitate a referral to Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center on Greenville Avenue in Wilmington or another similarly equipped practice in order to ensure that every patient is getting the best care. In all cases, full records are available to pet owners and are sent to their family veterinarian as well for continuity of care.

Providing the best pet care is important to Dr. Duffy. “I grew up loving all kinds of animals (and still do!) and always knew I wanted to work with animals ‘when I grew up.’ I attended Ross University in St. Kitt’s

and completed my clinical training at NC State’s School of Veterinary Medicine. I have practiced small animal general and emergency medicine, first in Southern California and then in the Cape Fear area since 2011.  After working in general practice for 10-plus years and then emergency medicine for the last three in Wilmington, I could see the need for additional veterinary services, and Brunswick County in particular had few to no options for after-hours/immediate care.  I literally told my husband in summer of 2024, ‘What I’d really like to do next in my career is start an urgent care practice in Leland.’ The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help dogs and cats feel better when they are sick or injured, and providing pet owners with peace of mind and confidence that their beloved pets are being given the best care possible.

“After partnering with Alliance Animal Health, the search for our hospital location started over a year ago, and I was thrilled when the spot in Leland Town Center became officially ours last summer,” Dr. Duffy continued. “We are excited to be in such a busy location, making us accessible and easy to find for residents of Leland and the surrounding areas.”

Like Dr. Duffy, Dawn said, “I have always loved animals and taking care of an orphaned wild animal was not uncommon for me as a kid, so when I found an ad in the local paper where I grew up that had a veterinary hospital in need of an assistant, I applied and never looked back. I continued my education by attending Bel-Rea in Col-

orado and became a Registered Veterinary Tech in 2002. For me, the most rewarding part of my job since most of my career has been in emergency medicine is seeing someone’s fur baby go home with them. I also really enjoy teaching whether it be an owner about pet care or a team member about patient care.”

Recently, Dawn was notified that she has been voted the 2025 Registered Veterinary Technician of the year by the North Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians. This

is a major and well-deserved accomplishment that adds to the level of professionalism resident in Priority Pet Urgent Care.

Dr. Brenda Fox is an associate Veterinarian. She has been in practice for several years in this area as well and is currently volunteering with World Vets in Belize.

“If you need us, our hours are noon to 10 pm, seven days a week including all holidays,” Dr. Duffy said. “Our staff is prepared with excellent skills and a true love for pets and veterinary medicine. We will work closely with pet owners and their primary care/referring veterinarians to ensure that records, test results, etc., are transferred so that continuous care can be implemented smoothly. Pet parents can always call or e-mail with any questions or if they are unsure of what type of care their pet may need. We can’t wait to start seeing the pet families of Leland.”

There is no denying that our pets become an integral part of our families. When they hurt, we hurt. Sometimes their medical emergencies don’t happen during regular business hours, just like ours. Sometimes you sit on the floor with them and wonder what to do and if they can hang on. We don’t have to wonder anymore — Priority Pet Urgent care is now a part of our neighborhood and knowing that brings us peace of mind.

If you need additional information about services or care, call Priority Pet Urgent care at 472-213-5777, or contact them via email at info@prioritypetleland.com. Dr. Duffy checks out Dixie.

Community

A Walk In The Roses

Story Walk At Brunswick Botanical Gardens

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Step into the beauty of the Brunswick County Botanical Garden this June and experience a Story Walk in full bloom. From June 5 through July 7, visitors of all ages are invited to explore the gardens while enjoying “A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War” by Barbara Carroll Roberts, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.

Not familiar with Story Walks? A Story Walk is a self-guided outdoor reading adventure where pages of a children’s book are displayed along a walking path. Created by the Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers, this family-friendly experience blends the joy of reading with the beauty of nature. Begin to the right of the Extension Office entrance and follow the story page by page as you stroll through the gardens at your own pace — there’s no set start time, and participation is free.

This year’s Story Walk will showcase the splendor of the Botanical Garden’s

Rose Garden. Featuring more than 40 varieties suited to the North Carolina Coastal Plain—including the very Peace Rose highlighted in the story— the garden provides a vibrant and fitting backdrop for this inspiring experience.

The featured book tells the remarkable true story of Francis Meilland, a young French horticulturist whose passion for roses led him to create what would become known around the world as the Peace Rose. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story follows his determination to protect and share his creation—symbolizing hope, resilience, and the enduring beauty of nature even in uncertain times. With rich, detailed illustrations and gentle storytelling, the book appeals to gardeners, history enthusiasts, and young readers alike.

Often described as a hidden gem within the Brunswick County Government Complex, the Brunswick County Botanical Garden offers 17 distinct garden areas designed to educate and inspire. Visitors can explore demonstration gardens, discover plants suited to coastal conditions, and find ideas for their own landscapes.

The Brunswick County Botanical Garden is located outside the Brunswick County Extension Office at 25 Referendum Drive, Building N, Bolivia. Admission and parking are free, and no registration is required.

Come read, explore, and discover the story behind a rose that inspired the world!

About North Carolina Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers

Master Gardener volunteers support the mission of North Carolina Cooperative Extension by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable gardening practices that grow healthy people, gardens, landscapes, and communities. Their vision is a healthier world through environmental stewardship.

The Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer Association of Brunswick County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports volunteer education, fosters camaraderie, and provides skilled volunteers for Cooperative Extension projects. Key events include plant sales and public workshops. Proceeds support educational programs and the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens, where visitors are invited to explore on a self-guided tour.

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Community Caring For Critters

Paws-Ability Helps Pets And Pet Owners

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Sometimesall it takes to make a difference is a group of like-minded people. “Paws-Ability started in 2007 as a group of friends were having a dinner party. In lieu of hostess gifts, they collected money in a basket to help a local organization. When they funds were counted, they were excited with what they had accomplished and continued working in animal welfare. Next year, we will celebrate our 20th anniversary,” said board member Lisa Ryan.

Paws-Ability is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer, organization that raises funds to support local animal welfare programs. These programs include:

Stella’s Touch helps responsible pet parents in Brunswick County with veterinary expenses due to emergency or severe conditions.

Paws Pantry purchases and collects donated pet food to share with local food pantries and meals on wheels.

Spay/neuter and community cat programs are an essential part of reducing pet overpopulation.

Rescue Group Assistance helping local rescue groups to improve the health of adoptable animals.

jury, or emergency.  The program was named in honor (now memory) of their dog, Stella,” Ryan said.

“There is definitely a story behind the name. Stella’s owner took her to puppy training at PetSmart. One of the first commands Stella learned was ‘touch.’ The command is used to have your dog come back to you. Stella’s owner had her and her sister Gracie outside without leashes to go potty first thing in the morning. Stella took off running and her owner remembered from training the command ‘Stella, touch.’  Stella stopped, turned around, and came back to her

Today, Paws-Ability has 190 members and 52 active volunteers, according to Ryan. Paws-Ability pays no salaries and says that over 94 percent of dilated monies go directly to animal welfare programs.

One of those programs, Stella’s Touch, helped 86 pet guardians with veterinary expenses last year, and 665 since the program’s inception in 2018, according to Ryan.

“The program started in 2018 when a benefactor wanted to donate funds to create a program to provide lifesaving financial assistance to pet owners who found themselves in a financial bind when their pet has a serious illness, in-

owner and touched her hand with her nose,” she said.

The program does not cover routine care or heart worm treatment, but you can apply for aid for other expenses on the Paws-ability website, paws-ability. org.

Paws-Ability also provides pet food to food insecure residents of Brunswick County. “Last year we provided over 80,000 pounds of pet food. Due to the fact that over 25 percent of Brunswick County is food insecure, the need of our program continues to grow,” said Ryan. “We distribute pet food to two Brunswick County food pantries – Brunswick Family Assistance in Bolivia and their mobile pantries and Southport Oak Island Interchurch (SOIICF) in Southport. In addition, we supply pet food to two Meals

on Wheels routes in northern Brunswick County.  All recipients are vetted and must meet program requirements.”

Drop-off locations for pet food donations can be found on the Paws-Ability website.

Paws-Ability is also helping reduce the number of unwanted pets in the county. “We work closely with Fix A Friend in Winnabow. They are a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that serves Brunswick County and surrounding jurisdictions. Paws-Ability will assist Brunswick County residents whose pets are not yet spayed or neutered with the cost of this

procedure. Spay/neuter is the only solution to pet overpopulation. Shelters and rescues are always full and too many animals die because there are simply not enough homes,” said Ryan.

Even critters without families are getting some help through the Trap-Neuter-Return program. “Community cats (sometimes called “feral cats”) are caught in humane traps and transported to Fix A Friend, our local low-cost spay/ neuter clinic.  There, they are spayed or neutered, given rabies and distemper vaccines, their left ear is “tipped” (the tip of the ear is removed), and after a 24-hour recovery period, they are re-

Community

turned to the community in which they lived. These cats have adapted to living outdoors and most have caregivers who feed them and watch for any signs of illness or injury. An ear tip on the left ear is a universal sign that the cat has been fixed and vaccinated, therefore they cannot reproduce and are not rabies vectors. They are not a danger to the community. In 2025, we provided TNR services to 1,150 cats,” Ryan said.

All this work requires a lot of resources, and you can help, all while having a great time listening to some music in beautiful outdoor setting. “Our 9th Annual BandFest, presented by Capital Chevrolet in Shallotte, will feature live music from The Sea & Sand Band and The Jebb Mac Band. We’ll have craft vendors, food trucks, beverages, and local animal rescue groups in our Adoption Central with adoptable animals!” Ryan said. “Come enjoy a day of fun in beautiful Sunset Beach Park on Sunday June 7, 2026 from noon to 5 pm!”

BandFest is only one of the ways you can support Paws-Ability. “People can help in many ways. Obviously, donate to paws-ability.org. You can donate in memory or in honor of loved ones. In fact, we’ve had members ask that donations be sent to Paws-Ability in lieu of flowers and gifts at celebrations of life, birthdays, and anniversaries,” Ryan said. “We have events throughout the year. Our Golf Tournament, BandFest, OktoberFest, Paws Pantry concerts and fundraisers. We are always looking for sponsors for our events. By sponsoring at these events, you are using us as another way to reach new customers. We promote your businesses on our website and at the events. We encourage our members to support the businesses that support us. If you’re not a business, you can still sponsor! Also, you can follow us on Facebook, go to our website, subscribe to our newsletter, and/or attend our monthly meetings. Come out to our events and support us!”

Your favorite local hardware store

AceisyourSunglass Place

SHOWCASE

FSG Call For Artists

Franklin Square Gallery Summer Show

STORY CONTRIBUTED

The Associated Artists of Southport (AAS) invites artists throughout the lower Cape Fear region to submit original artwork for exhibit in this year’s Summer Regional Art Show at Franklin Square Gallery in downtown Southport.

The show runs from June 22 to July 18 and will showcase 2D and 3D work in a wide variety of media and styles. All work featured in the show is offered for sale to the public. All are invited to attend the artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony at the Gallery on Friday, July 10 from 5 to 7 pm, to meet the artists and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Exhibiting artists will compete for more than $1,200 in prizes that will be awarded by the show’s 2D and 3D judges, Sabine Baeckmann and Denise Jordan. Sabine Baeckmann (2D) is a seasoned artist and designer with more than 40 years experi-

ence in illustration, advertising, design and marketing, as well as in teaching and training in the fine art and digital art fields. Denise Jordan (3D) is a well-known potter and sculptor from Roanoke Rapids who studied with Ben Owen III in Seagrove, North Carolina, and has taught ceramics for the last 35 years.

To enter work in the show, artists must register by June 10. Application forms and entry fees ($36 for AAS members; $46 for non-members) must be submitted online using the link provided on the Gallery’s website. Additional information regarding the show may be obtained there or by con-

tacting the show’s chairperson, Kim Kirk, at creativespirit@ec.rr.com or 910-264-8580.

Also available on the Gallery’s website is information regarding two workshops that will be offered by the Summer Show’s judges, in conjunction with the show. Sabine Baeckmann will host “Painting the Big Sky:

Painting Light, Sky and Sea” on June 19-20, and Denise Jordan will present “TableTop Water Fountains: Stacking Hand-Built or Wheel-Thrown Bowls” on June 22-23. Interested artists throughout the region are invited to participate, and may register on the Gallery’s website.

Franklin Square Gallery is a cooperative of more than 100 artists, located at 130 E. West St., Southport, NC 28461, in the heart of the historic downtown area. 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. It offers original art and pottery for sale and is open to the public, free of charge, from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Fourth of July Festival Calling All Puppers

The Search For This Year’s Dog Marshal

CONTRIBUTED BY NC 4TH OF JULY COMMITTEE

Does your pup have what it takes to win the coveted title “Dog Marshal” of the NC 4th of July Festival parade? The online contest is live now and ends on June 21at 6 pm. For just $5, members of the public may submit their dog’s photo and story highlighting favorite summertime moments with their dogs. Friends, family and neighbors may then submit votes for the dogs for $1 each vote, helping raise funds that keep the Festival thriving.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to spotlight the joy, loyalty and personality their dog brings to their lives and their community while supporting a cherished local week-long festival. It’s easy to participate. Just go to www.gogophotocontest.com/nc4thofjulyfestival to enter your do,” organizer Mimi

Vargo said.

The dog who captures the most hearts-and votes-will be included in the festival’s parade on July 4th, as the official “Dog Marshal.” With this honor comes the opportunity for the winning pup to ride in the parade with his/her person. This is not mandatory but an option if the

winner is interested. There will also be some delightful prizes for the winner and runners-up. The contest website contains all the rules and regulations.

For more information, please visit www.nc4thofjuly.com or www. gogophotocontest.com/nc4thofjulyfestival. And start voting for your favorites!

NC 4th of July Festival Patriots Ball Returns

Patriotic Gala Celebrates Independence

CONTRIBUTED BY NC 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL

In return to one of the NC 4th of July Festival’s most cherished traditions, the festival committee is proud to announce the revival of the historic Patriot’s Ball, a lavish fundraising event celebrating patriotism, community, and the enduring spirit of America.

Set for Saturday, June 27, from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Southport Community Building, the reimagined Patriot’s Ball will offer guests an elegant evening featuring live music, elevated décor, a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, and an experience in a transformed setting unlike anything previously experienced in the venue.

Once a signature social event of the festival from the 1960s through the 1990s, the Patriot’s Ball was traditionally hosted aboard a boat along Southport’s historic waterfront. Over time, the expense of producing the event outweighed its fundraising benefit, and the tradition was eventually retired. Now, as the nation approaches the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, festival organizers are embracing nostalgia and bringing the beloved event back for a new generation.

“Bringing back the Patriot’s Ball is about honoring the traditions that helped shape our festival while creating an unforgettable experience for today’s community,” said event organizer, Ki Ki Lee Herr. “As we look ahead to America 250, this event celebrates both our history and our future.”

Attendance for the Patriot’s Ball will be limited to just 200 guests, making it one of the most desired events of the festival season. Tickets are priced at $200 per person,

with all proceeds directly benefiting the NC 4th of July Festival and supporting the continuation of one of the state’s most historic patriotic celebrations.

The NC 4th of July Festival traces its roots back to 1795, when ships anchored in Southport’s harbor celebrated Independence Day with cannon salutes and gatherings known as the “Festival of Free Men.” Over the centuries, the celebration evolved into the nationally recognized festival it is today, welcoming visitors from across the country and honoring American heritage through parades, arts, music, community traditions, and patriotic ceremonies.

Festival organizers are currently seeking sponsors to help support the return of the Patriot’s Ball and ensure its success as a premier event for the community. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities or ticket information are encouraged to contact the NC 4th of July Festival via the website at www.nc4thofjuly.com to fill out the Sponsorship form or email/call sponsorship chair, Sarah Hunter at sponsorships@nc4thofjuly.com or 336-971-9294. The North Carolina 4th of July Festival Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

NC 4th of July Festival Freedom Flotilla

Join In The Annual Patriotic Boat Parade

CONTRIBUTED BY NC 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL COMMITTEE

Calling all power-boaters, sailors and commercial vessels! Boats of all sizes and types are invited to join the flotilla, scheduled to begin at 2 pm on Thursday, July 2. Participants are encouraged to decorate their boats in festive red, white, and blue to reflect their patriotic spirit. There is no fee to enter, however, there is a mandatory captain’s meeting at 10 am on Thursday, July 2, at Morning Star Marina, 606 West St. in Southport.

All registrations are due by June 29, no later than 6 pm, so participants are encouraged to register now. Boat registration forms and procedural instruction information can be found at https://nc4thofjuly. com/event/red-white-blue-freedom-flotilla/ This is always a popular event during the Festival and expected to be even more epic this year as we celebrate America’s 250th. Organized by the Cape Fear Yacht Club,

the flotilla will begin at the Old Yacht Basin, travel east along the waterfront past the Southport Pier and Kingsley Park to a point just offshore of the Southport Community Building. A yellow buoy will be set in the general vicinity of the Southport Community Building to define the eastern most turning point; the flotilla will then return west past the Old Yacht Basin, and continue to a point just short of the St. James Marina

entrance where another yellow buoy will be located.

About the Cape Fear Yacht Club

For more than 36 years the Cape Fear Yacht Club’s mission has been to foster educational programs in seamanship, encourage and promote safe boating, and

develop our youth’s interest in sailing. A summer youth sailing program is held for six weeks each summer for ages 9-17 providing hands-on instruction to sail Optimist sailboats (Optis) and Collegiate 420 sailboats. The program incorporates STEM components into everyday sailing instruction. CFYC Members also enjoy boat trips to distant locations, sail racing, social gatherings at the Club’s home on Fish Factory Road and they contribute to the welfare of the local community through efforts like “Adopt a Highway.” The Cape Fear Yacht Club is currently accepting new members so to learn more, visit capefearyachtclub.com.

NC 4th of July Festival Run For Freedom Registration Open For

5k and Fun Run

CONTRIBUTED BY NC 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL COMMITTEE

One of the NC 4th of July Festival’s most popular events is the Freedom Run 5K and Walk, sponsored by Novant Health. This year, the event will take place on Saturday, June 27, in historic downtown Southport.

All registration is online and available until 7 am on the day of the race or until we reach capacity. Please register online, then come see us at packet pickup. All participants registered by June 1 will be guaranteed an official Freedom Run T-shirt in their preferred size. Registrations after June 1 may select from the remaining inventory while supplies last.

The morning begins with the OneMile Fun Run at 7 am. The Fun Run is open to all participants but especially geared toward children and will be followed by the Freedom 5K at 7:30 am. Before the start of the race, the national anthem will again be performed by renowned trumpet player Jon Lewis.

Last Chance Packet Pickup will take place from 6 am to 7:15 am on race morning. Participants are encouraged to arrive early, as street parking is limited.

NEW for 2026: Race packet pickup and the official kickoff party will be held Friday, June 26, from 4 pm to 6:30 pm at Cape Side Brewing Company, located at 511 N. Howe St. in Southport.

Register early and take advantage of early-bird registration. Tiered pricing: $40 from May 26 to June 25; $45 on June 26 and June 27. There is no charge for the One-Mile Fun Run/Walk.

Fleet Feet Wilmington will provide prizes for winners, while the Southport Rotary Club and Southport Evening Rotary Club will provide race support. Handcrafted awards by students at

South Brunswick Middle School, under the direction of Arts Director Elizabeth Simpson, will be presented to winners. All children ages 13 and younger participating in the One-Mile Fun Run will receive a finisher’s medal.

For more than 30 years, the NC Fourth of July Festival Freedom Run

has raced through the streets of Southport. Both the 5K and One-Mile Fun Run begin and end at Waterfront Park in downtown Southport.

“It’s a wonderful way to celebrate our nation, and it’s thrilling to see the run continue to grow in popularity,” said Seth Robbins, Freedom Run Chairperson. “Patriotic attire is encouraged but not required—and a heartfelt thank-you to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, Fleet Feet Wilmington, water station sponsors Southport Rotary Club & Southport Evening Rotary Club, and my co-chair, Ted Todorov, for making this possible.”

For more information on the festival, please visit www.nc4thofjuly.com.

Fert

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Community Focus Awards Grants

Co-op Gives Back To The Communty

STORY CONTRIBUTED

FOCUS Broadband is investing $40,000 in the communities it serves through Community Connections grants awarded to 25 local nonprofit organizations. The funding will support a range of community-focused projects benefiting residents across Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, Pender, Perquimans and Robeson counties.

The program received 87 applications this year from organizations across eastern North Carolina, each representing efforts to strengthen and enrich local communities.

“We look forward to this program every year and are always impressed by the organizations that apply,” said Justin Milliken, FOCUS Broadband board director and board liaison for the grants committee. “We’re proud to support the work they’re doing and the difference they’re making across our service area.”

The 2026 Community Connections Grant recipients include:

• Bald Head Island Conservancy – Barrier Island Botanist, supporting transportation for Brunswick County sixth-grade educational field trips.

• Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina – Lake House Program for Teen Mothers, providing housing, educational resources, and emotional support for young mothers and their children.

• Brunswick County Homeless Coalition – Rental Assistance Project, helping pre-

vent evictions through short-term financial support.

Brunswick Family Assistance – Food Pantry, supporting access to essential food resources.

Calabash VFW Post 7288 – Service Dog Project, helping fund the training and placement of a service dog for a local veteran.

• Christian Recovery Centers – Residential Substance Use Recovery Program, supporting development of a recovery campus in Shallotte, NC.

• Friday Night Meals @ Camp UNC –Providing hot, nutritious weekly meals for families in need in Brunswick County.

• NC Volunteers in Public Schools (NC VIPS) – Reading Buddies, supporting literacy through volunteer mentorship in Brunswick County Schools.

• Samara’s Village – Focus on Futures, expanding career-readiness resources for young parents in Brunswick County.

• St. Peter Lutheran Church – Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to homebound seniors in Brunswick County.

• South Brunswick Interchurch Council –Day4Hope, supplying school materials for

local students during the Day4Hope event in Brunswick County.

• Suds of Love – Free Hygiene, Free Laundry, Free Hope, offering mobile laundry and hygiene support for individuals experiencing homelessness in Brunswick County and surrounding areas.

• WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.– WAVES Kloset, providing emergency supplies for children in crisis in Brunswick County.

Women’s Life Center – Pregnancy Ultrasound Services, expanding access to care and ultrasound services at no cost for disadvantaged pregnant women in Brunswick County.

Since launching its grant program in 2006, FOCUS Broadband has awarded more than $1.2 million through its Community Connections and Smart Connections grants, supporting projects that expand opportunities and enhance the communities it serves. Recipients of the Smart Connections grants will be announced this fall. For more information about FOCUS Broadband’s community giving initiatives, visit focusbroadband.com/givingback.

Golf Tips Work The Short Game

Short And Sweet Swing Fixes For Chip Shots

BY NICOLE WELLER, LPGA / PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

While it’s a relatively small little shot near the green, chip shots can wreak havoc and drive scores higher than necessary for novices and mid to higher handicap golfers. Instead of a nice low hop into the air and then a smooth roll towards the hole, the ball rockets across the green over the other side…not quite the plan!

Chip ends with the letter “P” so the ball has just a little air but mostly roll, like a putt. It’s a smaller word than a pitch, so it’s a smaller shot in general. It’s amazing how it can take a golfer one shot for the ball to travel 100 or even 200 yards and then take two or more shots from within 10 feet of the green.

If you want to drop shots off your score, the short game is an ideal place to begin. It doesn’t take any power or massive distance…it’s a small shot that we strive to keep as simple as possible.

Possible Causes of Problems:

1. The club is catching the ball on the ascent or way up. The goal is to allow the clubhead to catch the ball at the end of the descent or just through the ball, but not on the way up.

2. The golfer is trying to get ‘under’ the ball. Truth be told, there usually isn’t an ‘under’ when the ball is lying on the ground unless it’s a fluffy rough lie or in the sand. The golf ball is touching the ground and when two hard surfaces touch, there isn’t an under. Just like trying to take a quarter and ask someone to get another quarter laying on a table up by going under it, all one would do is shove the quarter on the table off the end. One can’t get ‘under’ a quarter laying on the table, since those are two hard surfaces

touching and there isn’t any space. The goal is to catch the ball as the club descends or goes through the bottom of the ball.

3. The ball position is too far forward, catching the ball in the ascent of the swing…a No No!

4. The upper body is leaning or moving backwards, creating a swing that moves up through the ball. The goal is to be center to slightly forward with the center (sternum) so the club can pass through or down through the ball, not up. This doesn’t mean popping the lead hip in front, which can still cause the upper body to lean backwards.

5. The golfer thinks he or she ‘hit it too hard’ when in actuality, it just wasn’t struck solidly. The ball loves the middle of the clubface, and so do we!

To find out which of these causes it might be, contact your local PGA or LPGA teaching professional and let’s get those solid chips all onto the green and then start getting them closer to the hole!

Nicole Weller instructs local area golfers at Compass Pointe Golf Club in Leland. For more information on Nicole and her tips / videos, visit www.nicoleweller.com.

Columnist Awarded

Nicole Weller Named LPGA Award Winner

It’s not every day you get an email from the LPGA announcing that one of your columnists has won a prestigious national award. We couldn’t be prouder of Nicole, and we wanted to share the LPGA’s write-up with all of you.

The LPGA Professionals proudly announce Nicole Weller, LPGA and PGA Professional, as the 2026 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award recipient.

Established in 2007, the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award honors an LPGA Professional who exemplifies leadership, passion, generosity, and approachability;

values that define the legacy of Nancy Lopez, a 48-time LPGA tour winner, nine-time major champion, and World Golf Hall of Fame member.

“Being recognized with this honor is one of the most precious moments of my career, and I’m truly thrilled and appreciative to have been selected,” said Weller. “As a

young golfer, I followed Nancy’s career and even watched her play up close while volunteering as a ‘Quiet Please’ marshal at the Boston Five Classic alongside my dad, Max. I was inspired by Nancy’s journey into golf, as both of our fathers played a significant role in introducing us to the game.

“Today, I continue to admire the incredible impact Nancy has on the golf world beyond competition. She leads and connects with passion, generosity, and her signature warmth that makes everyone feel included. I strive to pay that forward by creating meaningful learning experiences inspired by her gracious leadership and presence.”

Weller has dedicated more than three decades to the game of golf. Raised in Lakeville, Massachusetts, she began working in various roles at her local course before earning a golf scholarship and becoming a varsity letter winner at Wake Forest University. In 1995, she accepted her first teaching role as an Assistant Golf Professional at Cherokee Country Club, marking the beginning of a lifelong mission to grow the game.

Throughout her career, Weller has remained committed to giving back to the golf community through her personal motto: “Educating Golfers, Entertaining People, and Enhancing Lives.” Her expertise in youth development, sports psychology, golf fitness, and competitive play has enabled her to create comprehensive programs that have positively impacted thousands of students.

In 2000, she founded an LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Site in Knoxville, Tennessee, growing participation by more than 200 percent. In 2016, she helped launch The Little Golf T.R.A.I.N. program, an initiative designed to introduce children ages 2-5 to golf through an innovative certification program for instructors. She also teaches with the Pine Needles Golfari Schools, collaborating with fellow LPGA Professionals to deliver engaging learning experiences.

Inspired by the meaningful golf experiences she shared with her own father, Weller has created opportunities that foster connections through the game, including National Parent-Child Summer Camps and private instruction designed to bring families together.

A prolific writer, Weller is the author of “Let’s Play Golf, Big Thoughts from Little Golfers,” and “Match Play Golf Flashcards,” and the co-author of the “LPGA Girls Golf Handbook.” Her background in sports psychology informs her work as an educator and presenter, influencing audiences and advancing the game on a global scale.

Weller’s leadership extends across the industry. She is known for building strong professional networks, encouraging collaboration, and mentoring fellow instructors. Most recently, she participated in the LPGA’s inaugural We Are the Women in Golf Summit, sharing her passion with both LPGA Professionals and LPGA Amateurs. Through her involvement in events such as the PGA Show and national youth and family summits, she continues to make a meaningful impact on the growth to the game worldwide.

Her accomplishments have earned widespread recognition. In 2013, Weller became the only individual to receive both the PGA and LPGA National Junior Golf Leader Awards in the same year. She has also been named an LPGA Top 50 Instructor multiple times and recognized by Golf Digest as one of the Best Teachers in North Carolina.

Weller exemplifies the qualities of an ambassador of the game. Her passion, leadership, generosity, and approachability make her a deserving addition to the distinguished group of recipients of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award.

Weller joins an elite group of women who have shaped golf’s future. Past recipients of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award include Debbie O’Connell (2007), Troy Beck (2008), Patti Benson (2009), Lynn Stellman (2010), Malia Folquet (2011), Suzy Whaley (2012), Marvol Barnard (2013), Angela Aulenti (2014), Teresa Zamboni (2015), Donna White (2016), Sandy LaBauve (2017), Lynn Marriott (2018), Louise Ball (2019), Dana Rader (2020), Cindy Miller (2021), Tina Tombs (2022), Deb Vangellow (2023), Sue Powers (2024), and Karen Palacios-Jansen (2025).

FISHING REPORT

June Fishing Report

Fishing Is Heating Up Across The Region

BY CAPTAIN STEELE PARK

Summer is officially here, and fishing has been just as hot as the summer weather that finally showed up. We were lucky to have a fantastic spring with good weather windows and favorable ocean conditions, and that momentum is carrying right into June. From the backwater creeks all the way out to the Gulf Stream, anglers are finding consistent action and a wide variety of species to target.

Backwater/Inshore

Even with some of our favorite species still dealing with seasonal closures and regulations, the inshore fishing has been a lot of fun lately. Speckled trout has officially reopened after the winter cold-weather closure, and there are decent numbers of fish around. Focus on areas with moving water, oyster beds, creek mouths, and structure, and you should be able to find a few trout willing to bite. They’ve been especially aggressive when the current is moving hard. Flounder fishing has really picked up as well. While it’s currently catch-and-release only, there will be a flounder season this year — we just don’t know exactly what that season will look like yet. Artificials like Gulp shrimp and paddle tails on jig heads are producing plenty of bites, but if you’re looking for the best shot at a bigger fish, it’s hard to beat a Carolina rig with a live pogie or mud minnow.

Red drums are cruising the river flats and staging along marsh grass edges near oyster beds. The falling tide has been especially productive as bait gets flushed out of the grass. Early mornings have been perfect for throwing topwater plugs and getting those exciting blowups everybody waits for this time of year. Once the sun gets higher, switching over to a quarter blue crab on a jig head or Carolina rig has been producing steady action.

Nearshore

Nearshore fishing has been very solid, with Spanish mackerel and bluefish showing up in good numbers. Early morning has been the best bite before the sun gets too high. Once the water brightens up and the temperatures climb, the fish tend to move deeper and get less aggressive.

Trolling Clark spoons behind a No. 1 or No. 2 planer has been one of the best ways to cover water and stay on fish. Keep an eye out for birds working over schools of glass minnows — that’s usually a dead giveaway that Spanish are nearby. One mistake a lot

Captain Steele Park, a US Navy Veteran, has been fishing the oceans, rivers, and lakes of southeastern NC since he was 7 years old and knows these waters like the back of his hand. He calls Southport home and captains the Catherine Anne Sportfishing & Excursions fleet. For more information please call at 910-6209919

of people make is running straight through the feeding fish. If you ease around the birds instead of charging through them, you’ll usually stay on the bite much longer. When fish are feeding on the surface, casting weighted jigs into the schools can make for a really fun day on light tackle. Offshore

There are plenty of options offshore right now in the 12- to 40-mile range. Grouper fishing has been excellent in 75 to 100 feet of water. Dropping live pinfish on a grouper rig around ledges and hard bottom has been producing quality fish consistently.

Cobia have also shown up and are hanging around wrecks and live bottom areas in 50 to 75 feet of water. One of the best ways to target them is to anchor up-current of the structure, put out a chum bag, and suspend live bait under balloons behind the boat. The cobia usually come right up into the chum slick to investigate. It’s always a good idea to keep a spinning rod rigged with a bucktail nearby because many times those fish will appear right beside the boat out of nowhere.

With the clean blue Gulf Stream water pushing closer to the beach, mahi mahi have started showing up on our local offshore spots. Areas like the Horseshoe, Navy Wreck, and Frying Pan Tower have all

been producing fish. Trolling small ballyhoo behind Sea Witches has been hard to beat. King mackerel fishing has also been really good around the Shark Hole, Lighthouse Rocks, and on the east side around the Cucumber and Cabbage Patch.

Gulf Stream

As we move deeper into summer, the Gulf Stream bite usually slows down a little on overall variety, but the quality of fish gets even better. Big mahi, yellowfin tuna, and billfish will be the main targets for most of the summer.

The action may not be nonstop every day, but when you find a good weed line, things can get exciting in a hurry. One of the best ways to work a weed line is by chunking cut bonito. Throw a few handfuls of chunks overboard and watch for mahi to come out from under the grass lines to feed. Once they get fired up, put a chunk on a hook and drift it naturally back with the rest of the chum. It’s a simple technique that can produce some incredible action. One of the biggest pieces of news this summer is the upcoming American red snapper season opening July 1. It will be the first real season we’ve had in more than 20 years, and the fish are everywhere right now.

Summer fishing off the Carolina coast offers about as much variety as you could ask for. Whether you want to stay in the creeks chasing redfish, troll the beaches for Spanish, or head offshore after mahi and tuna, there’s something biting just about everywhere right now. Get out there and enjoy it.

Community What’s The Buzz?

Learn All About Bees At Leland’s Pollinator Party

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE

The Leland Cultural Arts Center is hosting a party—a Pollinator Party, celebrating the contribution of bees to our environment. Part of the Leland Cultural Arts Center’s Art Around Town series, the Pollinator Party is on Thursday, June 4, from 6 to 8 pm..

If you are like me, you probably haven’t thought a lot about honeybees, but after speaking with Steven Stegman, President of the Brunswick County Beekeepers Association, I understand that honeybees are a vital part of our environment and ecosystem. Here’s a peek into the world of bees.

“Honeybees are a huge help to man and nature,” Steven said. “As a unit, they are the best pollinators for anything that requires pollination to develop. If honeybees disappeared in the United States, our population would decrease over time because we couldn’t effectively produce enough food for ourselves. Think about it. Animals rely on various types of greens for nourishment. We rely on vegetation as part of our food source. Without bees, without them pollinating plants, agricultural crops and trees our interdependent ecosystem would suffer greatly and so would we.”

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, “bees are essential building blocks of the ecosystem because they are the

world’s primary pollinators. They enable the reproduction of over 75 percent of flowering plants and 35 percent of food crops.”

Steven continued, “Bees are fascinating. They are a highly social type of insect that live in cooperative colonies that can last for many years. They share labor that includes foraging, nursing larva, cleaning and defending the hive. People mistake the queen bee as the ruler of the hive, there is no ‘hive monarchy,’ in reality, she’s more like the mother of the hive. Bees are democratic; they make decisions as a colony and decide what is best for their survival. The queen bee’s primary function is to lay eggs and reproduce which is why she is so protected by the colony. Queens are great hiders. When the colony identifies a problem, the queen is hidden so she can survive and supply the colony with new life. When a virgin queen is born through either supersedure or swarm preparation, she will leave the hive a few times over a few days to mate with up to 100 drones (males) from other colonies to collect up to a million sperms. This enables her to lay up to a million fertilized eggs in her life. The average life span for a worker honeybee is approximately nine weeks, but that includes many variables like the time of year; winter bees live longer.”

Honeybees do not migrate. In cold weather they consume honey stored up to survive during the winter months. It’s not unusual to have 30 to 50 pounds of honey in a hive gathered in warmer weather for their survival. During the winter, honeybees form a tight ball around their queen to conserve heat with workers rotating between the warm center and the outer edges of the ball. They also do not hibernate; they are active in the hive.

Steven explained that honeybees can effectively communicate with each other. “There was a study done at Cornell University led by biologist Thomas Seeley, that examined how honeybees communicate distance and direction. They do this by using ‘swarm intelligence’ if they have to leave their current hive and move to a new nest site. The research highlights how bees use a ‘waggle dance’ to communicate direction, distance and quality of resource to other bees in the hive. The

waggle dance is a figure-eight movement performed by foraging Honeybees. The angle of the straight waggle indicates direction relative to the sun while the duration indicates the distance to a new food source. The longer, more vigorous the waggle, the greater the distance they will have to travel. If bees move 30 degrees to the right of vertical while dancing, it tells the other bees to fly 30 degrees to the right of the sun.

“The sun is very important to bees. Honeybees do not generally fly at night because they focus on the brightest light source and use it as their radar. During an eclipse, it’s not unusual for bees to land and wait for the sun to guide them again,” he said.

When Steven is not educating others on the importance of honeybees, he is often doing “cutouts.” A cutout is the process of removing a bee colony from a home or structure as well as the potential of 40 to 50 pounds of stored honey. It can be dangerous, but Steven uses smoke to confuse the bees.

“The smoke simulates a forest fire. It messes up their communication pheromones—or their natural chemical messages and stops the ability to trigger a mass sting. Their instinct is to get honey from the hive in case they need to leave” he said.

Unfortunately, like many threatened species around the world, bees need to be protected from habitat destruction, climate change and pesticides, in other words, from human impact.

According to Steven, the biggest threat to our honeybee population is pesticides and herbicides. In our quest for that “perfect

lawn,” we turn to chemicals. That first dandelion that we see in our yards may be annoying, but they serve a purpose. Monarch Gardens, an organization that specializes in ecological design, called dandelions “fast food for honeybees.” Dandelions are not high in nutrition but are an early spring food source that provides energy. They lack essential amino acids found in native plant pollen which is better for honeybees.

“People need to understand that chemicals can often cause more harm than good when you use them in your yards or gardens,” Steven said. “Not only are they destroying weeds, but they are also destroying the soil. Honeybee hives can be damaged by pesticides because Honeybees take the herbicide back to the colony and it can end up in the stored pollen which they feed to their developing larvae and in turn can hurt the insect reproductive process.”

We can all learn a lot about bees and the ecosystem from Steve’s presentation on June 4 from 6 to 8 pm, at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way. Steven will be presenting information on how we can protect bees and our environment in general. After the presentation participants will create and decorate a bee hydration station with clay for their own gardens.

In his role as President of the Brunswick County Beekeepers Association, Steven provides education on and solutions for bees and beekeeping. He also leads the local chapter linked to the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association. They meet the first Monday of each month from 7 to 8 pm at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Brunswick County Center, located at 25 Referendum Drive in Bolivia, and guests are welcome.

There was one thing I didn’t ask Steven, but it was something my grandmother used to say that I was curious about. She used the term “bee’s knees,” quite frequently when she was talking about her childhood. I never understood it. Do bees have knees?

The answer is yes—well, technically yes, they have six of them. Each of a bee’s six legs has a joint connecting the femur and tibia segments, which acts as a knee. Their “knees,” help them groom themselves, and pack pollen into pollen baskets on their hind legs. The term, “bee’s knees,” became popular in the 1920s and was used to describe something excellent.

I learned how fascinating the subject of bees can be just from speaking to Steven one afternoon. I hope that the Pollination Party is well attended. Personally, I think it’s going to be the bee’s knees!

Keeping Fit

Setting Standards

Trying Not To Treat Fitness As Optional

BY VICTOR FERNANDES

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

There is a standard we live by, whether we say it out loud or not. It shows up in how we manage our time, how we respond when life gets stressful, and how consistently we follow through on the commitments you make to yourself..

Most people think of discipline as something they need to turn on, something they access when they feel unmotivated or uninspired. In reality, discipline is not something we turn on. It is something we live by, especially when we don’t feel like it.

Many people show up early, stay late when needed, and take responsibility when things are on the line. They don’t hesitate when others are depending on them. But when it comes to their own health, those same standards often shift. Not because they don’t care, but because their health becomes flexible – a convenience even. They’ll get to it if and when they get to it. But the more they don’t get to it, the more it slips away.

When standards slip, so does everything else. The day starts with intention

and structure. Then the unexpected happens. Meetings run long. Deadlines shift. Family responsibilities take priority. By the end of the day, there is very little energy left.

That is when fitness becomes optional. Skipping one workout does not feel like a big deal. Pushing things to tomorrow feels reasonable. But over time, those small decisions create a pattern. The standard slowly lowers, not all at once, but gradually.

This is where most people lose momentum. Not from one major failure, but from consistent small compromises. What starts as flexibility turns into inconsistency. What feels temporary becomes routine – until one day we look up and we realize how far off track we have gone. That’s when I step in.

When someone begins training with me, one of our first conversations focuses on expectations. Most people come in thinking they need to do more – more workouts, more restriction, more effort. They are used to solving problems by increasing intensity.

What they really need is consistency. Discipline isn’t built through extreme effort. It’s built through repeatable actions. It’s built by doing what we say we will do – even when the day is busy, even when energy is low, even when it would be easier to skip.

Three well-structured workouts per week done consistently will outperform an aggressive plan that lasts only a few weeks. Simple nutrition habits followed most of the time will outperform a strict diet that collapses under pressure.

This is where real progress occurs – not in short bursts but in steady execution over time. And through that consistent execution comes confidence in self.

People think confidence comes from results, but it actually comes from evidence. When we follow through on your commitments, we begin to trust ourselves. That trust builds self-respect. When we repeatedly tell ourselves we’re going to do something and don’t follow through, it creates a different kind of pattern. Not a lack of ability, but a lack of alignment between what you say and what you do.

Over time, that gap grows. The clients I work with aren’t trying to become perfect. They are trying to become consistent. They want to be someone who does what they say they will do. That identity shift is where everything changes.

We no longer chase motivation. We live by a standard.

At some point, progress requires a decision. Not a dramatic overhaul, but a quiet commitment to raise your standard. We begin to treat your health with the same level of respect we give your daily personal and professional responsibilities.

We protect our time for training. We make decisions that support our energy. We stop negotiating with ourselves about the things that matter because we know our health and wellness matters. This is where lasting change begins – not with a new program or with a burst of motivation, but with a higher standard we expect to meet.

We don’t need to be perfect to move forward. We don’t need to change everything at once. We need a clear standard and the willingness to follow through on it consistently.

So, if you need structure, accountability, and guidance, that’s exactly what health and fitness coaching is designed to provide, or if you simply need help pinpointing your path to better health and wellness, I’m always here.

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 to learn more about why…Fitness Is Our Business.

History Southport In The Revolution

CONTRIBUTED BY MARK VALLASTER AND THE NC 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL COMMITTEE

Because of our position at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, our little town of Southport (then known as Smithville) played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.

Well before the formal Declaration of Independence, the area was a hotbed of resistance against the British crown. In 1766, local residents staged an armed protest against the Stamp Act. Armed men from Brunswick County, and even a contingent from Wilmington, prevented the landing of tax stamps from the British ship Diligence at Brunswick Town, just up the river from Southport.

In May 1775, as royal authority crumbled across the colonies, North Carolina’s last Royal Governor, Josiah Martin, took refuge at Fort Johnston. He hoped to use the fort as a base to rally Loyalists and re-establish British control. However, his stay was short-lived. On July 18, 1775, a group of roughly 500 militiamen led by Robert Howe (sound familiar?) and Cornelius Harnett marched on the fort. Governor Martin was forced to flee to the British warship Cruizer anchored in the river. The militia then burned Fort Johnston to the ground to ensure the British could not use it as a land-based stronghold.

In 1776, the Cape Fear River became the primary staging ground for a major British offen-

sive. A massive fleet, including ships under General Henry Clinton and Lord Cornwallis, gathered off the coast of what is now Southport. Their plan was to link up with a large force of Scottish Highland Loyalists marching from the interior. However, this plan was thwarted at the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge in February 1776, where the Loyalists were decisively defeated by Patriot forces.

For much of the remainder of the war, the area saw smaller-scale skirmishes and naval activity. The British returned to occupy the region in 1781 during Cornwallis’s march through the South, but their control was temporary.

We have much to celebrate this 250th four of July and how our little town of Southport contributed to our nation’s independence.

Community Orchestra Season

Wilmington Symphony 2026 Performances

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Peter Askim, has announced its 2026-27 season, anchored by a dynamic mix of orchestral masterworks, American classics, and contemporary voices that together create a journey across time, place, and imagination. The season reflects on music’s enduring role as a force that shapes our mutual history and identity. From beloved European repertoire to music by living composers, audiences will experience programs that span Wilmington’s own shores to far-reaching musical landscapes.

Of his inspiration behind the season, Askim said, “Wilmington is a city with a rich history, a vibrant future, and a deeply passionate community shaped by a wide range of backgrounds, stories, and voices. The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, like the city itself, belongs to all of us.

“In the WSO’s 2026–27 season, Journeys, we embark on an exploration of our shared and individual histories, while looking boldly toward the future. As America enters its 251st year, we honor the past even as we move forward together. Whether traveling from darkness to light in Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, journeying through Dvořák’s New World, celebrating Wilmington through Barbara Gallagher’s musical portrait of azaleas, or venturing to the edge of the galaxy with Holst’s The Planets, we remain grounded in the musicians, composers, performers, and stories that make this city our home. Wilmington is our point of departure and our constant – no matter how far these journeys take us, they always lead us home.”

Opening Night: Three Generations of American Music: The season kicks off with a program honoring America 250 and tracing Dvorak’s legacy through three generations of American music. The opening night on Saturday, September 26, 2026 will feature Carlos Simon’s Festive Fanfare and Overture, Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto with soloist Stefan Jackiw and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World, a piece that encouraged American composers to seek inspiration in African- American and Native American musical traditions and helped lay the foundation for a distinctly American musical voice that continues to resonate today.

Journeys: Beethoven’s 5th on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 features Mozart’s Overture to

The Magic Flute, Gabriela Lena Frank’s Escaramuza, Jeff Scott’s The Journey, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67.

On Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, America at 251: A Journey into the Future features Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s Chokfi, alongside a new work by University of North Carolina Wilmington Assistant Professor Chelsea Loew, commissioned for the Wilmington Symphony’s July 4th celebration. In addition, the program also includes Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms performed with the Cape Fear Chorale, and William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1, “Afro-American,” a cornerstone of American symphonic music.

On Saturday, March 13, 2027, Music of the Natural World: Brahms Symphony No. 2 explores nature as a source of inspiration, with Wilmington composer Barbara Gallagher’s Suite from The Flowers, Ryan Lindveit’s Desire Lines, and Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73. The evening also showcases winners of the 2026-27 Richard R. Deas Young Artist Competition, highlighting the next generation of talented young musicians.

The season concludes on Saturday, May 1, 2027, with Schumann Cello Concerto and Selections from The Planets, featuring Pulitzer Prize–winner and North Carolina resident Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral and Cape Fear Community College instructor Ernesto Ferreri’s Hymnus ad Cosmos, paired with Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto, performed by 2026 Sphinx Competition Laureate Andres Sanchez, followed by selections from Gustav Holst’s The Planets. Season Subscriptions are now on sale at www.wilmingtonsymphony.org/season-tick-

ets or by calling the Wilson Center Box Office at (910) 362-7999. Single Tickets and Create Your Own Packages will go on sale June 1, 2026.

About the Wilmington Symphony

Founded in 1971, the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra (WSO) performs a Classics Series and a Young People’s Concert in the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, averaging 1,000 audience members for each of its concerts (6-7 concerts annually). WSO also performs for over 5,000 audience members at Live Oak Bank Pavilion for the City of Wilmington’s free community Fourth of July Celebration Event. The WSO is composed of about 75 experienced musicians from around the Wilmington metropolitan area. Musicians audition to become a WSO player and are paid $75 per service. Dr. Peter Askim serves as Music Director of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra beginning with the 2025–2026 season. Following his retirement in May 2025 after nearly four decades of artistic leadership, Dr. Steven Errante was named Conductor Emeritus in recognition of his distinguished tenure with the orchestra since 1986. For more information about the Symphony, visit www.wilmingtonsymphony.org.

About Peter Askim

Composer, conductor, and creative catalyst Peter Askim is Music Director of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director and Founder of The Next Festival of Emerging Artists, Conductor of the Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orches-

tra, and Director of Orchestral Activities at North Carolina State University. Known for his visionary programming and commitment to uplifting living composers, Askim bridges artistic innovation with community engagement.

A passionate advocate for new music, Askim has commissioned and premiered works by Lisa Bielawa, Christopher Cerrone, Aaron Jay Kernis, Allison Loggins-Hull, Nico Muhly, Curtis Stewart, Christopher Theofanidis, and Paul Wiancko, among others. In 2022, he led the American premiere of Florence Price’s Ethiopia’s Shadow in America. His conducting has been featured on HBO and NPR, earning recognition for his collaboration on the documentary The Cold Blue. Praised by The Strad as “a modern master,” Askim’s compositions have been commissioned and performed by the Tokyo Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, Stavanger Symphony, and Cantus Ansambl Zagreb, ensembles such as ETHEL and the Aizuri Quartet, and cellist Jeffrey Zeigler.

Through his leadership of the Raleigh Civic Orchestras, Askim has redefined the role of the university and community symphony. Since 2015, every concert under his direction has included a new commission, totaling over 40 to date.

Askim’s Next Festival of Emerging Artists, founded in 2013, is a trailblazing incubator for early-career string players, composers, and choreographers. The Festival has supported more than 250 emerging artists, offering mentorship, collaboration, and performance opportunities with Pulitzer, MacArthur, GRAMMY, and Emmy-winning artists. Learn more at www.peteraskim.com.

Chamber News

Past Presidents Social

Celebrating 50 Years With Past Presidents

The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2026 with a special Past Presidents Social honoring the leadership, service, and vision that have guided the Chamber over the past five decades.

Since its founding in 1976, the Chamber has played a vital role in supporting local businesses, strengthening community connections, and promoting economic growth throughout the Southport and Oak Island area. During the April 30th celebration, past and present leaders gathered to reflect on the organization’s legacy and the many individuals who helped shape the Chamber into the thriving organization it is today.

“Over the past fifty years, the Chamber has been guided by

dedicated leaders whose vision, service, and commitment helped shape a thriving business community,” said Felicia Sexton, 2025/2026 President of the Chamber. “Each generation built upon the last—fostering growth, supporting local businesses, and strengthening connections that make our area so special. As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead with gratitude and excitement, inspired by the legacy of leadership that continues to guide us into the future.”

The Chamber recognized the

Past Presidents whose leadership has helped create business opportunities and strengthen the community throughout the years:

As the Chamber marks this golden milestone, it remains committed to its mission of creating business opportunities, supporting economic vitality, and serving as a champion for the Southport-Oak Island community for generations to come.

For more information about the Chamber and its 50th Anniversary celebrations, visit Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce.   The next event to mark the occasion will be the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on June 17th at the Southport Community Building.

HOMES/LAND FOR SALE

LOT 7 JABBERTOWN

SOUTHPORT. Build Your Private Estate Near Southport. 7.87

Acres | Zoned R-6000 | $629,900

This is your RARE opportunity to build a private estate or develop a residential community minutes from historic Southport. Listed at $629,900 with Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®️. Call Jonathan McLaughlin at 910-269-8200 for more information.

3979 SOUTHPOINTE DRIVE

SE. Large Lot in Private Community. 0.57 Acres | Zoned Co-R-7500 | $129,900. Turn your dream of building into a reality! Surrounded by luxurious homes, this large lot in a private community is your opportunity! Contact us for details! Listed at $129,900 with Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®️. Reach out to Pat Proctor at 910523-0087 for more information or to discuss the possibilities!

SIGNALIZED ACCESS ON NC 133/LONG BEACH ROAD. 16+/- Acres Mixed Use Development Opportunity.

Zoned R-6000/CLD | $700,000

Seize this rare opportunity to

MARKETPLACE

develop approximately 16 acres in one of North Carolina’s fastest growing areas! With signalized access, this prime location is perfect for builders, developers, and investors. Listed at $700,000 with Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®️. Reach out to Jonathan McLaughlin at 910-269-8200 for information or to discuss the possibilities!

5517 E BEACH DRIVE, LOT #9, Oak Island. Rare Opportunity at Oceanfront Parcel. 0.17 Acres | Zoned R-7 | $775,000. Prime oceanfront parcel ready for your beautiful beach home! Imagine waking up in your piece of paradise right here on Oak Island! Listed at $775,000 with Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®️. Call Amy Gereb at 336-543-0220 for more information.

4911 SOUTHPORT SUPPLY ROAD SE, SOUTHPORT. 431+/SF of Hwy 211 Road Frontage. 2.2 Acres | 3 Parcels | Zoned CoCld | $1,400,000. Prime location along Highway 211!! Check out these 3 parcels, zoned for commercial and perfect for a variety of business types! Listed at $1,400,000 with Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®️. Call Pat Proctor at 910-5230087 for more information..

608-F W. BROWN STREET$359,900. This light-filled, 1st floor end-unit condo is ideally located just steps from the marina and historic downtown waterfront. Partially furnished and move-in ready, it features an open-concept living space, covered back deck, and thoughtful updates. Enjoy community amenities like a private pool, elevator, covered parking, storage unit, and full-service marina with overflow boat parking. Perfect as a primary home, second home, or investment - this is easy coastal living at its best. Call Sarah Smith, Southport Realty, Inc., for more details, (910) 443-8000.

5215 EAST OAK ISLAND DRIVE, UNIT #1. 5,193 SQ.FT. COMMERCIAL SPACE |

$1,099,000. Rare commercial investment opportunity in the growing market of Oak Island, where inventory is limited and demand is rising.This property features five units, four with new leases already in place delivering immediate, stable income. With flexible layouts including a 36’ x 30’ conditioned warehouse and a newly remodeled apartment, the property supports a variety of business uses and future rental growth.Strong road frontage, rear

alley access for parking and loading, and close proximity to Publix enhance visibility and tenant appeal.Call Valerie Earman, Southport Realty, Inc., (540)8789465 for more information.

4911 BEECH TREE DRIVE -

$373,500. This 4-bedroom home in Carolina Place sits on a .26-acre lot with a huge, fully fenced backyard and NO city taxes - just minutes to the Oak Island bridge and Southport. The open layout features a split-bedroom floor plan, cozy gas fireplace, sunny breakfast nook, and a double-car garage. A versatile upstairs bonus/4th bedroom is perfect for a home office or flex space. Outdoor living shines with room for grilling, fire pit nights, recreation, a custom putting area, storage building, and a unique catio with endless potential. Community amenities include a pool, crabbing dock, and RV/ boat storage. Only 3 miles to beach access and 4 miles to historic downtown Southport. Call Katherine Wooten, Southport Realty, Inc., for more details (910) 620-8962.

CALENDAR

We’veincluded events here that are listed as scheduled, but please remember that all events, dates and times are subject to change. (For programs offered through the Town of Leland, visit https://apm.activecommunities.com/townofleland/ to register online or register in person at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way). Register online for Town of Oak Island programs at www.OakIslandNC.gov/PROGRAMS. — Lisa

June

MAY 28

Blood Drive - Palmetto Creek

Whether you’re a regular donor or if it’s been a while, there’s an opportunity to donate blood at the Palmetto Creek Clubhouse. The American Red Cross blood drive is 10 am to 3 pm at the Clubhouse, 1195 Palmetto Creek Way (off N.C. 211). Donors are asked to schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and using the name Palmetto to select this blood drive.

MAY 28

Hurricane Conference — Oak Island

This opportunity to learn more about the Town’s, and the region’s, preparedness and response plans. The conference is 6-8 pm in Council Chambers, second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.

MAY 28

Southport Historical Society General Meeting

Take a lawn chair and enjoy the salubrious breezes on the Garrison Lawn (203 E. Bay St. in Southport) where SHS will celebrate the Commemorative Bricks that are placed in the walkway in front of Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors’ Center.  Word has it that a few special guests will include past members of our Community as portrayed by our “Living Voices” actors, and there will also be live musical entertainment. This meeting/program is free and open to the public and starts at 5:30 pm.

MAY 28-30

Art League of Leland (ALL) — Art Show and Sale

It’s ALL Art celebrates creativity in all its forms, offering visitors the opportuni-

ty to experience a wide range of artistic styles and mediums—and to purchase original works directly from the artists. An exhibition will be held at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, on Thursday from 10 am - 6 pm, and Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30 from 10 am - 4 pm. The show and sale are open to the public and free to attend. For more information about the exhibition or the Art League of Leland, visit www.artleagueofleland.org.

MAY 30

Fire Trucks and Hot Rods — Bolivia

The Bolivia Fire Department hosts this show, with fire trucks and lots of cool cars, 8 am to 3 pm, 3848 Old Ocean Highway (Business 17), Bolivia.

MAY 30

Venus Flytrap Festival — Boiling Spring Lakes

This festival includes a mile-long fun run (or walk, or stroll), food trucks, bouncy houses, face painting and vendors. Attendees can also learn more about Venus Flytraps along an educational trail. The festival is 10 am to 2 pm at the Community Center, 1 Leeds Road in Boiling Spring Lakes.

JUNE 1

Hurricane Expo — Southport

Newcomers and longtime residents who want a refresher are welcomed to a a hurricane expo hosted by the Southport Fire Department The Expo starts at 5:30 at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St. There will be a slide show and information booths.

JUNE 2

Adult Spelling Bee

The Brunswick County Literacy Council is hosting the 36th Annual Spelling Bee. A maximum of 14 teams can compete, but the Bee is open for anyone to attend with just a $5 donation at the

We left out The Ford Project from our Music Issue, so here is their info!

As anyone who has seen a FORD Project show knows, the powerful and engaging vocals of Lorna “Ladyfinger” Ford drives an evening of fun and excitement. Fans also discover an atypical local band that performs a LOT more than the typical classic rock covers--though TFP does some of those, too. Hailing primarily from the greater Wilmington & Cape Fear region...The Ford Project brings a refreshing mix of Classic Rock , Country and popular contemporary music driven by lead singer Lorna Ford’s dynamic vocal styling. Song and artist selection range from Grace Slick to Grace Potter... with a serving of popular artists like Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Imelda May, Brandi Carlile, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Blondie, Dolly, Miranda Lambert and more! We have originals too!

The Ford Project:

Lorna Ford - Lead Vocals

Steven Tabankin- Guitar & Vocals

Dennis Hetzel - Bass & Vocals

Norm Weiss - Harp

Donna Pietrogiacomo - Guitar & Vocals

Zack Gore - Drums/Percussion & Vocals

Check out The FORD Project’s 2026 summer schedule  www.FordProjectBand.com

For booking and information:

Steven Tabankin 914 772.1216 Stabankin@aol.com

Dennis Hetzel 614 940-5067 dennisyr@yahoo.com

door. The Spelling Bee is 7-9 pm at the Odell Williamson Auditorium on Brunswick Community College’s campus, 150 College Road NE. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and there will be music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. (Editor’s Note: One of us has done this Spelling Bee a few times, and we can tell you that it is terrifying to stand up in front

of people and spell. Go support all the spellers, and shop for some really great silent auction items while you’re at it!)

JUNE 3

The Town of Leland will host a Women’s Health Forum from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way. The

CALENDAR

event will feature health screenings, educational resources, and panel discussions focused on women’s health and wellness.

Health screenings will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. and will include mammograms through a mobile mammography unit, as well as blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings.

JUNE 4

Pollinator Party! with Claire and Steven

Part of the Town of Leland’s Art Around Town, this event will celebrate the building blocks of our ecosystem –bees! Steven Stegman, President of the Brunswick Count Beekeepers Association, will kick us off with a short presentation about how we can help our buzzy, fuzzy friends. Afterward, Claire will help each participant create and decorate a bee hydration station with clay to place in their own garden or greenspace. The event is 6-8 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

JUNE 6

Dosher Memorial Fifth Annual Community Cookout

The Community Cookout is also the hospital’s 96th birthday celebration, held at the front entrance, 924 N. Howe St. from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. All are welcome to join Dosher staff, Trustees, Volunteers, and hospital leaders for the celebration, which will include a cookout lunch, dessert, music, and guest speakers. The theme of this year’s cookout is “Together, We Thrive!” which reflects the very special relationship Dosher has with the community and the 96-year shared journey of local support which has enabled the hospital to provide extraordinary care to its patients. There is no charge to attend this event. Pre-registration is not required but is appreciated. Go to Dosher.org/ birthday, or call 910-457-3900 for more information or to RSVP.

JUNE 6

Beach Clean Up — Oak Island

Volunteers will be assigned a halfmile section along Oak Island’s 10-mile beach to help keep it clean and beautiful, and yes, visitors are welcome to join in! The Society holds these cleanups twice a year—once before the busy tourist season and again after the sum-

mer months—and relies on volunteers to make it happen. Email skipncsu@ gmail.com to sign up. All volunteers will meet at 8 am at the Middleton Beach Cabana (SE 46th Street) to receive instructions, as well as trash bags, gloves and a tally sheet.

JUNE 6

Swing Dance — LCAC

This fun evening of swing dance is for seasoned dancers as well as those just getting into the swing of things. A beginner lesson will run from 7 to 7:30 p.m., followed by open dancing. Dance the night away, at least until 10 pm, at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Road.

JUNE 7

Paws-A-Bility Band Fest ’26

Support animal welfare programs with the annual day of live music and much more. The festival is noon to 5 pm at the Sunset Beach Town Park, 206 Sunset Blvd North (mainland). The Sea & Sand Band and The Jebb Mac Band will perform, and there will be raffle prizes, vendors, food and drinks, and animals looking for a family. Entry is a $5 donation per person.

JUNE 20

Founders Day — Northwest

Join in this birthday celebration for the City of Northwest! The celebration is 10 am to 4 pm at the city’s park on Vernon Road NE. There will be music, food, games, and children’s activities.

JUNE 20

Food Truck Rodeo — Belville

It’s a great chance to try something new, with food trucks lining Belville’s Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road SE. The Rodeo is 11 am to 4 pm.

JUNE 22-JULY 8

Summer Regional Art Show at Franklin Square Gallery

The Associated Artists of Southport summer show will feature 2D and 3D work in a wide variety of media and styles. All work featured in the show is offered for sale, and the public is invited to a reception on Friday, July 10 from 5 to 7 pm, to meet the artists and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Find the gallery at 130 E. West

Beach Clean-Up

The OKI Beach Preservation Society needs your help for their upcoming SPRING BEACH CLEANUP! Come out on Saturday, June 6 at 8 am, and yes, visitors are welcome to join in too. Volunteers will be assigned a half-mile section along our 10-mile beach to help keep it clean and beautiful. The Society holds these cleanups twice a year—once before the busy tourist season and again after the summer months—and relies on volunteers to make it happen. Please review the section list below, and email Skip at skipncsu@gmail.com to sign up. All volunteers will meet at the Middleton Beach Cabana to receive instructions, as well as trash bags, gloves and a tally sheet. Hope to see you there!

10 EAST BEACH SECTIONS

McGlamery to Barbee

SE 74th to SE 67th

SE 67th to SE 58th

SE 58th to SE 49th

SE 49th to SE 40th

SE 40th to SE 35th

SE 35th to SE 25th

SE 25th to SE 16th

SE 16th to SE 9th

SE 9th to Middleton

St. in Southport, next to Franklin Square Park.

JUNE 23

Chop with a Cop

Teens are invited to throw axes with our local law enforcement agencies, 10 am to 3 pm at Throw Bax Axe House & Game Lounge, 806 N. Howe St., Southport.

JUNE 26

Red Cross Blood Drive

Dosher Hospital. Community members who would like to donate blood are encouraged to sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter in zip code 28461 in the “Find a Blood Drive” search tool. Look for the Jaycee Building and event date and click, “See times,” to check schedule availability. Appointments arew available from 9 am -1:15 pm.

JUNE 27

Contra Dance — Leland

This fun and approachable partner line dance has English and Scottish roots. A beginner lesson will run from 7 to 7:30 p.m., followed by open dancing. The dance goes until 10 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, and the cost is $15.

10 W BEACH SECTIONS

Middleton to 7th Pl W

7th Pl W to 17 Pl W

17 Pl W to 23rd Pl W

23 Pl W to 30th Pl W

30th Pl W to 39th Pl W

39th Pl W to 48th Pl W

48th Pl W to 57th Pl W

57th Pl W to 6301 W Beach

6301 W Beach to W Beach Dr Parking Lot

W Beach Dr. Parking Lot to The Point

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College

150 College Road NE, Bolivia June 27-28 — Brunswick County’s choral group, the Sea Notes, will perform Celebrate America! The shows are at 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College

701 N. Third St., Wilmington May 29 — Beetlejuice

June 6 — America250: Stars and Stripes - The Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts presents: America 250: Stars and Stripes, a vibrant mixed repertory showcase celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through dance and music.

June 7 — Cheap Trick

June 12-14 — Six, the Musical June 20 — Trae Crowder

June 27 — Tommy James & the Shondells

July 2 — The NC Symphony presents Stars and Stripes

July 11 — Straight No Chaser Beach Bash

July 14-15 — Bluey’s Big Play

July 18 — Jurassic Park In Concert

with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

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

Thalian Hall

310 Chestnut St., Wilmington

May 29-31 — Ten-Minute Miscellany from the Port City Playwrights

June 18-28 — Gypsy: A Musical Fable by the Opera House Theatre

July 9-19 — The Shark is Broken by Big Dawg Productions

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

1941 Amphitheatre Dr., Wilmington

June 1 — Echo & The Bunnymen

June 2 — 49 Winchester

June 9 — Modest Mouse

June 11 — Wyatt Flores

June 13 — Big Something

July 9 — Blackberry Smoke

July 10 — Matt Maeson

July 13 — An Evening with Wilco

July 15 — Umphrey’s McGee

Visit https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZ917A2qV/greenfield-lake-amphitheater-events for tickets.

Summer Concert Series

Bands by the Beach

Oak Island Summer Concerts

Middleton Park Complex

4610 Dolphin Drive

Concerts are 6-8:30 pm

May 29 — The Salty Dawgs

June 5 — Christine Martinez Band

June 12 — Catalinas

June 19 — Julio & the Saltines

June 26 — Too Much Sylvia

July 1 (Beach Day) — The Extraordinaires

July 10 — The Entertainers

July 17 — Chocolate Chip & Company

July 24 — Rivermist

July 31 — Crystal & Aria

Boiling Spring Lakes Summer Concerts

Spring Lake Park

210 Pine Road Concerts are 6-8 pm

May 29 — Class Act Band

June 5 — The Chance Union Band

June 6 — Hoods Creek

June 26 — 17 South

July 10 — The Doorsmen

Calabash Summer Concert Series

Calabash Town Park 868 Persimmon Road Concerts are 6-8:30 pm

June 2 — Too Much Sylvia

June 16 — Rivermist

June 23 — Jim Quick & Coastline

June 30 — The Extraordinaires

July 7 — The Main Event Band

July 21 — The Embers featuring Craig Woolard

July 28 — Brunswick Big Band

Holden Beach Summer Concerts

The season starts off at Bridgeview Park and changes to Block Q midseason Concerts are 6:30-8 pm

May 31 — Gary Lowder

June 7 — Jim Quick and Coastline

June 14 — The Embers featuring Craig Woolard

June 21 — Carolina Kool

June 28 — The Extraordinaires

uly 5 — The Tams

July 12 — Band of Oz

July 19 — Too Much Sylvia

The Peggy Hughes Summer Concert Series

Ocean Isle Beach

Town Center Park, 11 E. 2nd St. Concerts are 6:30-8 pm

June 5 — Shine

June 12 — Continental Divide

June 19 — North Tower

June 26 — Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot

July 1 — Chocolate Chip & Company

July 10 — Rivermist

July 24 — The Main Event Band

July 31 — Jam Biscuit

Sunset Sound Waves

Sunset Beach Town Park 26 Sunset Blvd North Concerts start at 6 pm

May 27 — Julio & the Saltines

June 3 — Band of Oz

June 10 — The MacDaddy’s

June 17 — JB and the Get Down Browns

June 24 — The Switch

July 1 — Gimme Back My Skynrd

July 3 — Rivermist

July 8 — Chocolate Chip & Company

July 15 — Band on Fire

July 22 — Too Much Sylvia

Shallotte Concert Series

Mulberry Park Amphitheater

123 Mulberry Street Concerts are 7-9 pm

July 2 — Chocolate Chip & Company

July 9 — Catalinas

July 16 — The Fabulous Fish Heads

July 23 — Special Occasion Band

July 30 — Band of Oz

Southport Summer Concert Series

Franklin Square Park, Howe Street Concerts are 6-8 pm

May 28 — Cliff Wheeler Band

June 4 — MotoMojo

June 11 — Carolina Jazz Band

June 18 — Krispee Biscuits

June 25 — Gary & Linda Scalfani

July 9 — The Dust Parade

July 16 — Rusty Bones of Southport

July 23 — Hodnett Family Band

July 30 — Bacon Grease Moonlight Movies

Sunset Beach Pier

101 W. Main St. Concerts are 6-8 pm unless otherwise listed

May 28 — Sea & Sand Band

June 4 — Randy Knight and Parrot Party

June 11 — Rob Cole Music (from the Voice)

June 14 — Johnny Toppings

June 18 — Trublmkrz

June 25 — The Mac Daddys

July 4 — DJ Taco (music all day)

July 5 — Silver Fox DJ — 5-9pm

July 9 — Brunswick Stew

July 16 — The Mac Daddys

July 23 — Trublmkrz

July 30 — The Mac Daddys

Moonlight Movies

Town Center Park

11 E. 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach

Movies start around dusk (7:15-ish)

May 20 — The Croods

May 27 — Playmobil: The Movie

June 3 — Hotel Transylvania: ‘Transformania’

June 10 — Under the Boardwalk

June 17 — The Iron Giant

June 24 — Inside Out

OPEN AIR MARKETS

Oak Island Farmers Market

The Market can be found on the Middleton Park Fields, SE 46th Street and Dolphin Drive, on Mondays from 8 am to 1 pm. Shop for local fresh produce, homemade jams, cakes, and a variety of homemade goods, all while enjoying ocean breezes.

Historic Olde Southport Village Shoppes

The vendor fair is June 6 from 10 am to 4 pm at the shoppes, 1102 N. Howe St., behind the barbecue restaurant.

Summer Market in Southport

The summer market begins May 6, and will be open 9 am to 2 pm on Wednesdays (except the week of July 4th). Find the Market in Waterfront Park at East Bay Street.

CALENDAR

OneLove Market

Sea Trail Convention Center

75 Clubhouse Road, Sunset Beach

This community based-non-profit helps local rescue organizations with financial support. Admission is a suggested $5 donation, and the market is 11 am to 3 pm. Visit with local business owners, shop for good from local vendors, meet with local health and wellness experts, and more!

Sunset Beach Town Park

206 Sunset Blvd North (mainland)

The Market begins April 30, and will be held on Thursdays throughout the season from 9 am to 1 pm.

Shallotte - Home Town Summer Fest

The June Market in June is on the 13th, 9 am to 2 pm at the Shallotte Riverwalk, 145 Wall St. ONGOING EVENTS

Storytime By the Sea

Oak Island hosts this program for children 12 and younger, which features a coastal-themed story and a craft to take home. The program is 10-11 am on June 3, 10, 17, July 8, 15, 22, and 29, and Aug 5 at the Town’s 801 Ocean Drive events center. The program is free, but pre-registration is required (OakIslandNC.gov/PROGRAMS)

Art in the Park - Ocean Isle Beach

Children can make a new art project each week at Ocean Isle Beach’s Town Center Park, 11 E. Second St. The program is 10-11 am on Tuesdays through June 30 and Tuesdays from July 14Aug. 11. Art in the Park is weather dependent.

Tye Dye Tuesdays

Make your own beach tye dye t-shirt with the Town of Holden Beach. Tye Dye Tuesdays start June 9 and run through Aug. 4, 1-2:30 pm (participants must be ib line by 2 pm) at Bridgeview Park Picnic Shelter, 125 Davis St. There is a cost for the shirt, depending on the size needed. Check Facebook for weather updates.

Friends of the Library

The Once More used bookstore, at Southport Realty (727 N. Howe St.), with new-to-you books, is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and

Saturdays 10 am to noon. Visit https:// folsoi.org/blog/ for information on upcoming programs.

Barbee Library, 8200 E. Oak Island Drive: Call 910-278-4283 for details on children’s story time and other programs. The Lifelong Learners Group meets at 10 am on Thursdays. Other programs offered at the library include chair yoga, one-on-one tech support on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, and more.

Harper Library, 109 W. Moore St., Southport: 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 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. The Skippers Crew program for children is June 6 and June 20 (with a Father’s Day craft). Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum. com.

Franklin Square Art Gallery

The Gallery is open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday and can be found next to Franklin Square Park.

First Friday Gallery Walk — South-

port

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 Gal-

lery 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 Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm (until 7 pm on Tuesday and Thursday), and Sunday noon to 4 pm. The Museum is not open on Saturdays in the summer. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ for the programs calendar.

.Ingram Planetarium

7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach

The Planetarium is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm; dome shows start on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm. Laser shows are Thursdays through Saturdays at 6 pm and 7 pm. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ ingram-planetarium/ to see the show schedule.

Brunswick

Newcomer’s Club — Southport

The Brunswick Newcomer’s Club is a non-profit social club of more than 300 adults who live in Southeastern Brunswick County, including the Boiling

Springs, Bolivia, Leland, Oak Island, St. James, Shallotte, Southport and Supply areas. Meetings are held the third Tuesday morning of every month at 9:30 a.m. in Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport. For more information visit: Brunswick Newcomer’s Club or contact us at brunswick.newcomers@gmail.com or find them on Facebook. Please note that the group does not meet in June, July or August, but will resume meeting in September..

Wilmington River Tours

212 S. Water St., Wilmington

Tour the beautiful Cape Fear River and learn more about the area’s history and ecology. Sunset cruises include acoustic music Thursdays through Sundays! Tours are offered daily, to the north along historic downtown Wilmington, the USS North Carolina Battleship and Eagles Island on the even hours, and to the south under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and past the shipyard on the odd hours; visit https://wilmingtonwatertours.net/ for schedules and to purchase tickets.

Meet The Author

Book Events Throughout the County

June 6

Taylor Crooks - “The Summers of Us”

Meet author Taylor Brooks and get a signed copy of her book “The Summers of Us.” The book signing is 10 am to noon at Needful Things, a cozy book store and coffee shop at 114 E. Nash St., Southport. In “The Summers of Us,” Quinn Kessler returns to Piper Island for her final summer before college, but everything once golden has faded to gray. Dead flowers, broken pinky promises, and snarling waves. The clock is ticking for Quinn to figure out her unresolved feelings for Everett Bishop, the boy who’s always been her moonlight, as she struggles to accept happiness in a universe that could take it all away again in an instant.

June 16

Jennifer Tirrell - “Jane’s Secret”

Local author Jennifer Tirrell discuss her newly published work “Jane’s Secret,” a thrilling quest for truth in Medieval England. Jennifer is also the President of Word Weavers Coastal Carolinas, volunteers as an AWANA leader, and assists at her daughter’s discipleship and therapeutic riding facility, Glory Hill Farm in Monroe, NC. The program is 1-2 pm at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library, 94 Ocean Highway West. Registration is required; visit https://brunsco.libcal.com/

June 25

Seven local authors come together to discuss “Carolina Tides,” a short story collection celebrating life along the Coastal Carolinas. From porch-lit evenings in fishing towns to storms, serendipity, and seaside reinvention, each story is rooted in a real place you can visit. Join the Rourk Friends of the Library for the group’s annual meeting and this conversation about inspiration, setting, and the heart and adventure found where land meets sea. The program is 2-5 pm at the Rourk Branch Library, 5068 Main St., Shallotte. Visit https://brunsco.libcal.com/ to register for this event. Light refreshments will be provided.

June 25

Meet local authors Jack and Jean Heslin as they answer questions, share resources, and give first-hand accounts from the Vietnam War. Signed books will be available by donation for the Battle of Kontum website. Jack and Jean Heslin bring a lifetime of service in both military and civilian fields. Jack is a decorated two-tour Vietnam veteran and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. who later worked in higher education, workforce development, and as an author, while Jean built a distinguished career as a professional nurse, educator, and workforce development specialist who trained future nurses and adult learners. Together, they have dedicated their careers to education, service, and helping others build skills and opportunities. The program is 4-6 pm at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library, 94 Ocean Highway West. Registration is required; visit https://brunsco.libcal.com/.

The Pelican Bookstore in Sunset Beach hosts a series of book signings, held at the Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road, Ocean Isle Beach (mainland). The festivities at the Winery start at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $45 and include a glass of wine, light hors d’oeuvres, a copy of the book, and a meet and greet with the author. For more details and a longer synopsis of the book selections, visit www.pelicanbookstore.com.

May 29

Mary Kay Andrews - “Road Trip”

your events to lisa@southportmag.com before the 20th of each month! Thank you!

The New York Times bestselling author gives us a great summer read with “Road Trip.” The story follows two estranged sisters who find that they have inherited a painting — one that could be worth millions and could save each of them from their respective wolves at the door. The only issue is, the painting might be a fake and the only way they can solve the problem is to find the original. This means a road trip, to Ireland, to their family roots, and to a mysterious crime that occurred years ago.