May 2026 Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine
EDITOR
Jeffrey Stites
jeff@liveoakmediainc.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Lisa P. Stites
lisa@southportmag.com
LEAD DESIGNER
Liz Brinker
lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS
Chuck and Sue Cothran
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Louise Sheffield-Baccarny
Carla Edstrom
Patricia Langer
Jan Morgan-Swegle
Janet Fortney
Lisa P. Stites
Jeffrey Stites
PUBLISHER & SALES
Jeffrey Stites
jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741
Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine is published once a month by
Live Oak Media, Inc
The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of the staff.
Annual Subscription: $45
email jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741
Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine PO Box 10175, Southport, NC 28461 www.shallottemag.com
email jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741
FROM THE PUBLISHER
On Summer’s Doorstep
I’ve always loved summertime. Even when I was beer guy and summer meant 15 hour days and coming home too exhausted to do anything but fall asleep, I looked forward to it. I like the long, sunny days, and I really don’t mind the heat. I can put up with the traffic because I get so much joy watching people have the time of their lives visiting the place we call home. This issue is a pretty good intro to the summer season. Nothing says “summer” like cruising with the top down, and we have a story on some folks who share their love of cars and are more than happy to show them off to you. Spending time on the water is huge part of summer -- don’t miss the Water Safety Day so you can make sure everyone stays safe while having fun. Worried about the weather? Brunswick County’s Hurricane expo will help you get prepared. If you own a local business and want to grab some attention from the tourists, check out the Ocean Isle Beach Scavenger Hunt. All that and much more is packed into this May issue, so read the entire thing and then go out there and have some fun!— Jeffrey
EXPERIENCE the unique artistry of coastal creators, jewelers, potters, makers, bakers and more!
FIND & SOURCE Health & wellness professionals, local growers, outdoor living specialists and landscapers
CONNECT Meet local builders, crafts-people, and realtors — collaborate on your next project!
Community Corvettes at the Beach
Corvette Fans Gather At Broadway at the Beach
STORY BY JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
The Myrtle Beach Corvette Club’s 29th Annual Corvettes at the Beach car show rolls into Myrtle Beach’s Broadway at the Beach on Saturday, June 6. Cruise on down to see more than 400 Corvettes from dozens of Corvette clubs throughout the country and Canada. “The event is free of charge, and we’d love to have people come and view all these beautiful Corvettes. It starts at 8 am and goes until 2 pm. It’s held rain or shine, and there are food trucks and vendor booths for people to experience,” said Doug Jensen, Car Show Director.
“Holding the event at Broadway at the Beach allows families to browse the many shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The car show will have additional vendors with car-related items and crafts on site for the day,” said Susan Howard, the club’s Director-at-Large.
This is the club’s main fundraising event, and all funds from the car show are donated to two specific local charities. This year, they are Canine Angels based in Horry County, South Carolina, and Hope Harbor Home located in Brunswick County, North Carolina. Canine Angels takes dogs from shelters and trains them to become service dogs for autistic children, first responders, and veterans with disabilities or suffering from PTSD. Hope Harbor Home serves victims of domestic and sexual violence.
“Members nominate local charities each fall. The members vote on them, and the two organizations with the most votes become our charities for the next calendar year,” explained Susan. “In 2026, we have chosen Hope Harbor Home in Brunswick County and Canine Angels in Horry County as the club’s charities. The only requirements are that the charities are non-profit, are located in Brunswick County in North Carolina and Horry or Georgetown Counties in South Carolina. The club partners with the charities and supports them throughout the year with 50/50s from our meetings, social media, etc. The car show is our biggest fundraiser for the charities. In 2025, we raised the most ever for our charities of over $15,260 each. Over the last 10 years, we have raised over $240,000 for our charities.”
The Myrtle Beach Corvette Club covers Brunswick County in North Carolina and Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina, with more than 300 club members between the three counties. We spoke to three of the club’s Brunswick County members about all things Corvette and what they get out of being in the
club with others who love the iconic car.
And of course, we had to ask about their cars. Doug, the show director, said, “It’s a Torch Red 2021 Stingray Coupe. I bought it new and currently have approximately 33,000 miles on it. Of course, she has a name, “SYNFUL,” named after my wife’s small business.”
Peter Labruna, a Calabash resident, said his Corvette is a “C7 - 2016 Stingray Convertible LT2 Shark Gray Metallic. Only 212 were produced in 2016 with my color combination (gray convertible top and gray leather seats).”
And Mark Swartwood of Shallotte said, “Our Corvette is a 2019 C7 Stingray Coupe which we purchased in February 2025. This is our fifth since 2000. I have been a car guy since high school and have always admired sports cars. My first car was a 1960 MGA convertible that I purchased during my senior year. After returning from the service, I dusted off my MG and while on an afternoon drive, I ran into an old friend who owned a 1966 Corvette. I knew then and God willing, someday I will own one. The Corvette was my ultimate dream car.”
Doug said he’s always been a car guy. “I’ve always been into cars and performance vehicles in general, like motorcycles, dirt bikes, racing, etc. This is my first Corvette, and I have zero buyer’s remorse. I absolutely love the car.”
Peter said he’s wanted a Corvette since he was a teenager. “That dream came true
Doug Jensen’s Corvette
Community
seven years ago for me.”
So what makes Corvettes so special, something people strive for?
“You would ask, why a Corvette?” said Mark. “They have a great history, legacy, and culture. There is a sense of pride owning a piece of history and being a part of the Corvette tradition, not to mention the high performance. Corvettes are not inexpensive, but I believe their quality matches most European sports cars like a Ferrari or Porsche but at a fraction of their cost and, as far as sports cars are concerned, a cost-effective option. The Corvette is also relatively low maintenance, especially compared to other high-performance sports cars. As for road trips, the newer Corvettes have nice ride quality along with the latest technology. It is also reasonable to expect very good mpg on the open road as long as you drive it like a normal family car. Because of the high-performance engine, premium fuel is required on all Corvettes. If the Corvette is well maintained, it has a strong resale value, which in many cases makes it a pretty sound investment.”
“I was very close to buying another brand sports car when I saw the new 8th-generation Corvette announced,” said Doug. “As soon as I saw it, I said to myself, that will be my next car. I contacted a few bigger dealers around the country and finally placed a deposit on my car in September of 2019. Covid hit and slowed the production of all Corvettes, but my wait of 623 days from deposit to actually having the keys in hand at delivery was well worth it.”
Doug joined the club right away. “I took delivery of my car in June of 2021 and
joined MBCC about a month or two later. I’ve been a member for almost five years now,” he said. “I took over the role of being our website admin over the past couple of years, and that has been a lot of fun and helped me become more familiar with many of our club members. Additionally, I was recently named Car Show Director for 2026. It has been a very demanding undertaking, but it is equally rewarding.”
Peter, who also joined club leadership, said he loves the monthly meetings and the club’s many trips and activities. “I have made many new friendships with fellow members. Our club is a 501(c)(3) and we currently are raising over $30,000 for two local charities,” he said. “Early this year I accepted the position of Activities Director for MBCC. I plan various activities throughout the year for the club. Some of the activities include road trips to the USS North Carolina Battleship, Duplin Winery in Rose Hill, Historic Savannah, Georgia, and other venues.”
Mark said, “I joined Myrtle Beach Corvette Club in November of 2024. When a person joins a club like MBCC, you join a community of like-minded enthusiasts who love the Corvette culture where we can share experiences, participate in events, rallies, parades, or show our cars in car shows. One thing that our members really enjoy is the fact that all proceeds from our annual show go to charity. I can’t think of anything better than that. The social element of being a part of the club has been very special and important to us.”
“Finally,” Mark said, “there is something special about taking an afternoon or evening drive in the countryside or perhaps to the coast. It is rare that after stopping at a restaurant or at a local park, someone doesn’t stop by and make a positive comment about the car or simply ask a question of which I enjoy answering. That is also another reason I enjoy showing my car at car shows.”
Community Meet Susan Barnes
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
Announces New Executive Director
STORY CONTRIBUTED
The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Barnes as its new Executive Director. A dedicated leader with more than 25 years of experience in administration, community engagement, and event and program management, Barnes brings a strong commitment to strengthening the local business community and advancing the Chamber’s mission
Barnes has been an integral part of the Chamber team, most recently serving as Event Coordinator and Community Engagement Lead. In this role, she has led the planning and execution of high-impact programs, supported strategic initiatives, and cultivated meaningful relationships with members, partners, and stakeholders across Brunswick County. Her collaborative leadership style and passion for service have helped enhance member engagement and elevate the Chamber’s presence throughout the region.
“Susan’s leadership, experience, and deep understanding of our members make her exceptionally well-suited for this role,” said Jay McRoberts, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “She has a proven ability to bring people together, support local businesses, and move initiatives forward in a way that creates lasting impact for our community.”
Prior to joining the Chamber, Barnes managed operations, staffing, communications, and event strategy for Silver Coast Winery, overseeing two locations and a diverse portfolio of public and private events. She also founded and operated Gettin’ Glassy,
a creative retail business focused on custom-designed products. Her professional background includes roles with BB&T, Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, AT&T Advertising, the NC Biotechnology Center, Bayer CropScience, Mylan Bertek Pharmaceuticals, and GlaxoSmithKline.
Barnes is also deeply engaged in community service and nonprofit leadership. She served as President of the Carolina Hurricanes Booster Club in the early 2000s and currently is a executive board member of the D.O. Memorial Foundation, contributing to strategic development, fundraising, and community programming. Throughout her career, she has supported a variety of philanthropic initiatives, including partnerships with United Way, Carolina Hurricanes Kids N Community Foundation and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
“I am honored to serve as Executive Director of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce,” said Barnes. “This organization plays a vital role in supporting our business community and fostering economic growth. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and working alongside our members and partners to continue
creating opportunities for success across Brunswick County.”
Barnes resides in Calabash, North Carolina, and remains committed to making a positive and lasting impact in the community she serves. Outside of her professional role, Susan treasures time with her family and her grandchildren. She enjoys music, has a special love for Greyhounds, and is always inspired by opportunities to travel and explore new places.
About the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting and advocating for local businesses while fostering a strong, connected, and thriving community. Through programming, partnerships, and member engagement, the Chamber works to promote economic growth and enhance the quality of life throughout Brunswick County.
Community Hurricane Prep Expo
Get Hurricane Ready At Annual Event
Hurricane season officially begins June 1 each year, and whether you’re newcomer or a long-time resident, it’s always a good idea to think about how you plan to deal with possible tropical weather events. For newcomers especially, the possibility of being affected by a hurricane is a bit scary, and proper preparation can help with that. The annual ReadyBrunswick Preparedness Expo is great way to make sure you are up to date with your hurricane season plans.
Community members and visitors are invited to join Brunswick County for the annual ReadyBrunswick Preparedness Expo. The event will take place from 10 am to 2 pm, Tuesday, May 5, on the Lisa M. Thompson Walking Trail at the Brunswick County Government Center. Parking is available in front of the David R. Sandifer Administration Building, located at 30 Government
Center Drive in Bolivia.
This family-friendly event is free to attend and will feature over 50 local businesses and organizations that are ready to show you and your loved ones how to achieve a healthy and resilient lifestyle, guide you in developing an emergency plan, teach you about organizations that can assist with recovery needs, and more.
There will be free Sunset Slush Classic Italian Ice, popcorn, a vast display of rescue vehicles, a free raffle contest, handouts, interactive demonstrations, health screenings, and other activities. Free demonstrations include nutrition planning, cross-fit, and yoga.
Food can be purchased from the various food trucks that will be on-site.
For any questions or vendor opportuni-
ties, contact the Brunswick County Emergency Management team at 910-253-1923 or by email to mikayla.borrero@brunswickcountync.gov.
Find preparedness information on the county website anytime at BrunswickCountyNC.gov/emergency. Learn more about the ReadyBrunswick Emergency Notification System and sign up at ReadyBrunswickCountyNC.gov.
• Can’t go up and down
• Knees lock up with prolonged
• Difficulty getting out of the car
• Difficulty walking or hiking with loved ones
• Unable to bend or kneel
• Swollen, stiff and sore knees
If your exam and X-rays indicate your knee is not too far gone,
treatment
Community Water Safety Day
Live Demonstrations, Displays And More
STORY BY JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Fun on and in the water is simply a part of life here at the coast, so water safety should also be on our minds. The 2nd Annual Water Safety Day, sponsored by the Jack Helbig Memorial Foundation and hosted by the Dinah E. Gore Sports and Aquatics Complex, aims to make sure residents and visitors alike are as safe as can be while having fun. The event runs from 5-7:30 pm on Friday, May 15 at the Aquatics Center, located at 150 College Rd NE, next to the Odell Williamson Auditorium on the campus of Brunswick Community College.
“Water Safety Day will have live demonstrations and displays by the Dinah E. Gore Sports & Aquatics Complex along with other local organizations to focus on raising awareness about drowning prevention and providing practical safety tips and resources,” said Mandy Long, Aquatics Coordinator at the Aquatics Center. “The Jack Helbig Memorial Foundation will be donating free youth life jackets. A wide range of local emergency and commu-
nity organizations will be participating, including a Swift Water Rescue Team, Marine Patrol, Ocean and Beach Water Rescue teams, and EMS. Local fire departments from Sunset Beach to Oak Island and Southport will be teaching beach safety tips. Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter will feature a live pelican and offer education on rescuing and protecting local waterfowl. Food and entertainment will be available courtesy of Chocolate and S’more food truck
and Shoresound Productions music and MC services. There will also be other great prizes and giveaways.”
Long said she hopes everyone can come out, because “water safety is critical, especially in coastal regions like southeastern North Carolina, where access to beaches, rivers, and pools is part of everyday life. Drowning is a rapid, silent, and often fatal process causing 4,000 deaths annually in the US. It is the leading cause of death for children 1-4, and a top cause of unintentional death for children under 14 and adults up to 55. It can happen in seconds, often silently, and mostly occurs in familiar water environments. Our Water Safety Day exists to ensure that both residents and visitors are equipped with the knowledge needed to enjoy local waters safely.
You are
never too old to learn to swim, and if you have children, getting them started swimming can start early. “The best time to learn to swim is between ages 1 and 4, as formal lessons can reduce drowning risk by 88 percent for this group. While infants (6+ months) can begin with water acclimation, most children are ready for structured lessons by ages 3–4, and adults can learn at any age. At the Dinah E. Gore Sports & Aquatics Complex, we offer swim lessons for all ages year round.”
“This is our 2nd Annual Water Safety Day event. We are proud to announce that we have added even more agencies this year. We will provide water safety and drowning prevention education from bathtub safety to beach, boating and rip current safety,” said Long.
Community Celebrating Flytraps
First Venus Flytrap Festival and Fun Run
STORY BY JANET FORTNEY
The carnivorous Venus flytrap – a rare, fascinating, and, unfortunately, endangered plant – is a beloved mascot-of-sorts in the Brunswick County city of Boiling Spring Lakes (BSL). In fact, BSL, one of the few locations where the unique species exists, has instituted programs to nurture and protect it for the past several years.
The latest effort on behalf of the plant is a Venus Flytrap Festival fundraiser, set for May 30 from 10 am to 2 pm at the city’s community building at 1 Leeds Road. The rain date will be June 6. The event is free to attend and profits from festival activities will go toward projects and programs in support of Venus flytraps. BSL Department of Parks and Recreation staff, along with non-profit groups and local volunteers, hope that the festival will become an annual event.
The festival will begin in the morning with a 1-mile Family ‘FunRun’ and will also feature a bouncy house, food trucks, face painting, an educational Venus flytrap trail walk, a native plant walk, and vendors selling crafts and nature-themed items. Additionally, the film crew for the upcoming, eagerly-awaited “Flytrap Town,” a BSL-focused Venus flytrap documentary, also plans to be at the event.
According to Kathy Curtis, Executive Director of the non-profit Friends of Boiling Spring Lakes group, the morning of the festival will start with a family fun-run. “This year, we’re starting with just a mile because it’s our first one and we want people to come out and just have a good time,” she said. “So in the future, we may expand that a
bit, but this year we’re going to do the one-mile and that’ll be the first activity of the day. Our group was formed in order to provide support to the BSL Parks and Recreation department. And we are working with them to organize and put on this festival.”
“I’m also involved in the Venus Fly Trap rescues,” said Curtis. “I think we’ve done about 12 rescues over the last several years. We moved all these Venus flytraps to an area near the Parks and Rec Department and now we’d like to have a walkway.”
Curtis explained that, in addition to the festival goals of bringing out community members for a day of fun and raising awareness about local Venus flytrap preservation efforts, the primary goal is “to secure funds to install a raised trail that will lead visitors to the area where the flytraps have been relocated from land that’s been developed. During the festival, we hope to open up a portion of the trail that we’re hoping to establish, so that we can take people back and show them what we’ve done and what we want to do.”
Additionally, experts from state and local environmental organizations such as the North Carolina Native Plant Society, the Venus Fly Trap Champion organization, the
North American Saracenia Conservancy, the North Carolina Forest Service, and Longleaf Pine Program will be on-hand to answer flytrap-related questions, including information about prescribed burning efforts that can aid Venus flytraps, and native plants that people can grow in their own yards.
Curtis credits the local BSL government and volunteers for working diligently on the festival debut. “Our Parks and Rec department is fantastic. They’re doing the heavy lifting on this. This is Bridget Huggins’ project and she is phenome-
nal, as well the director Sara Goodwin – she is fantastic. We love our BSL Parks and Rec staff. I cannot say enough good things about them.
And our BSL Friends group, they are just wonderful people. They are doing this all without any payment or any kind of financial support. They are just there to pitch in and do whatever it takes, whatever’s necessary to get it done.”
Curtis is seeing growing community excitement for and awareness of the Flytrap Festival. “It’s a new event and we’re just starting to get the word out. I’ve seen the signs popping up and we’re spreading the word as much as we can. We’re hoping for a good turnout and we hope the event creates awareness for people to know what we’re doing” to propagate Venus flytraps in Brunswick County.
For additional attendee or vendor information, contact Parks & Recreation Program Assistant Bridget Huggins at 910-363-0018 or bhuggins@cityofbsl.org.
Community
OIB Scavenger Hunt
Local Businesses Are Invited To Participate
STORY BY LISA STITES
vacations are full of swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand, but what if the kids could do something more, like a real treasure hunt? The Town of Ocean Isle Beach is gearing up for its summer scavenger hunts, and the businesses in town are asked to participate.
The scavenger hunt is a family-friendly event, held on select Wednesdays from 10 am to noon during the season, designed for children accompanied by an adult.
Participating businesses need to be registered and come up with a clue to help children find their business to visit and collect their treasure. Staff at the businesses will also
be welcoming the treasure seekers and their families as they make their way about town.
It’s a great opportunity for visiting families to find out more about their vacation spot and for businesses to reach even more visitors while they’re in town.
The registration deadline is May 18, and the first treasure seekers will
be ready to plunder, or at least visit, town businesses starting on June 3. Find the registration at https:// www.oibgov.com/ and for more in-
formation, email Recreation Director Ruthie McHugh, at ruthie@oibgov. com.
COMMUNITY
Tapestry of Time
Art Show, Sale Celebrates Brunswick Town
The Friends of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson are welcoming local artists to apply for “A Tapestry of Time: The Many Perspectives of Brunswick,” an exhibition and art sale celebrating the 300th anniversary of the first lots being sold to Cornelius Harnett in 1726. The exhibition will open June 13 at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site and close on June 27.
The event will provide audiences with an immersive experience. The exhibition will cover the breadth of experiences of those who lived, cultivated, and worked within the Cape Fear Region across its 300 years of historical development.
According to the project’s submission guidelines, “artists are encouraged to create works which highlight the integrity of laborers and the growth of industries, while recognizing the tenuous relationships that humans held with their environment. The narrative of Brunswick is one that involves the creation of a multicultural landscape over three centuries. We invite artists to
engage with materials and processes that reflect the diverse and multifaceted nature of American creativity over the past 250 years—highlighting the resilience, adaptability, and vision that have shaped our collective journey. From graphic arts, to sculpture and handcrafts, this exhibition will explore how innovation emerges from both adversity and joy, and will inspire multiple audiences to examine diverse perspectives that enrich our cultural fabric.”
Potential topics include the pre-colonial period and indigenous people, the founding of Brunswick Town and building of its homes, the establishment of the town as a
major port, the Spanish attack of 1748, construction of St. Philips Church, the Stamp Act uprisings, rice cultivation, the American Revolutionary period including the burning of Fort Johnston and the abandonment of Brunswick Town, and the construction and fall of Fort Anderson.
The show is open to artists 18 years old and older and all artwork must be original and created by the submitting artist. Artists may submit two artworks per medium. Registration closes Friday, May 22.
Submission Guidelines:
All artwork must be ready to display at the time of delivery.
2D Artwork: Minimum size 12” x 12” and maximum size 36” x 36” (including frame). All 2D works must be suitably framed, securely wired, and ready to hang (no sawtooth hangers).
3D Artwork: Maximum size 24” x 24” x 24”. Artists must provide their own display stand.
No video, digital, or installation works will be accepted.
Review Process:
This is a juried entry. All work will be reviewed by site staff using the online images submitted by artists.
To submit artwork, and view a full list of the terms and conditions associated with the show, use the application at https://pci. jotform.com/form/252524748453058
Community Kiwanis Field of Flags
Hundreds of Flags Coming To Mulberry Park
STORY BY JEFFREY STITES
Looking for a way to honor both a loved one and the nation’s 250th birthday? The Kiwanis Club of Shallotte-South Brunswick Islands may have just the ticket with this summers’ Field of Flags coming to Shallotte’s Mulberry Park. Hundreds of flags will be on display in the park from May 23 through July 11 and anyone can participate by purchasing a flag.
Barry Black, club President, said flags can honor anyone, including, “veterans, first responders, police, fire, medical, and really, anybody that you would want to honor. It could be, you know, a preacher or grandparent, whoever you may just want to honor.”
Flag sponsorships are $40 per flag and after the event is concluded, the sponsor has the choice of receiving the flag to keep or donating it back to the Kiwanis for use in the community. Flags must be picked up following the event’s closing ceremony on July 11 or can be shipped for an additional $10. Purchase online at https://shallottekiwanis.org/shop/.
“The flags will be up for six weeks or so,” said Black. “What we wanted to do is get the flags up for Memorial Day, Flag Day and July 4th. So they’ll be up during those three time periods. We tag each flag, so if you wanted to honor, say, someone in your family, then there’ll be a tag on
there that says your name and who you wanted honored, and then on the back it’ll have the Kiwanis Club.”
Flags will be placed around the park’s playground, flower beds and amphitheater, but not the lawn (to allow for mowing to continue).
Field of Flags is both a salute to America 250 and a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club. “The town that asked if we’d be willing to do something with our flags, and so the fundraising committee got together and decided this would be a great way to honor America as well as raise some money.”
The club will use proceeds from the even to fund committee initiatives like scholarships for West Brunswick High School graduating seniors and Terrific Kid programs at Waccamaw, Jesse May Monroe and Supply elementary schools, Black said.
Community Plein Air Festival
Southport’s Annual Outdoor Painting Event
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES
One the joys of living here is seeing others come to discover the beauty of where we live, so I absolutely love walking around Southport during the annual Plein Air Festival and seeing dozens of artists from all over the country capturing their versions of our community’s prettiest locations.
This year’s Plein Air Festival, hosted by Up Your Arts in partnership with the City of Southport, runs from Thursday, May 7 through Saturday, May 9 with artists painting all over town and a host of activities in Franklin Square Park. Last year, the festival brought in more than 75 artists from over nine states and painters of all experience levels are welcome. Artists will be out painting all day Thursday and Friday and in the morning on Saturday.
Aside from watching the art being created, there will be an Artist Meet and Greet on Friday, May 7 from 4-6 pm at Water Tower Wines, 102 W. Brown St. in Southport. On Saturday,
take the young ones to Kids Plein Air from 10 am - 2 pm in Franklin Square Park. Led by Ginger Hedbloom of 2nd Story Art and Music, Kids Plein Air lets children try their hand at painting and creating art of all kinds. Franklin Square Park will also host live music, activities and live art demonstrations thoguhot the day Saturday.
Franklin Square Park’ activities will stop at 3 pm Saturday to prepare for the big event of the Festival, the Wet Paint Show and Sale beginning at 4 pm. The Wet Paint Sale offers the public the opportunity to view and purchase original paintings created during the three-day festival. You’ll also be able to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award, with the winning artwork being featured on next year’s commemorative t-shirts and tote bags. Of course merchandise featuring last year’s People Choice Award winning artwork by George Benson will be available for sale, and two of Benson’s painting will be raffled off. The awards an nouncement is expect to be approximately 5 pm on Satur day.
Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, or simply looking for a fun spring weekend on the coast, the Southport Plein Air Festival offers a welcom ing, walkable way to expe rience Southport at its best through the eyes of talented artists painting outdoors.
Over 10 local community agencies, emergency services, and first responders
Spring fishing is in full swing along the Carolina coast, with strong action stretching from the back creeks all the way out to the Gulf Stream. April wrapped up with favorable weather and stable conditions, setting the stage for May—arguably one of the best fishing months of the year. With warming waters and longer days, anglers are eager to get back on the water and take advantage of both excellent fishing and beautiful conditions.
Backwater
Red drum fishing continues to be very productive, with large schools of slot-sized fish actively working the creeks in search of bait. On a moving tide, anglers should watch for drum feeding along marsh edges—particularly where feeder creeks are flushing shrimp and mullet out of the grass. A popping cork rig fished over oyster beds and drifted naturally along marsh lines is a reliable and effective technique.
May also marks the arrival of the first flounder of the season. Although currently catch-and-release only, they remain a popular and enjoyable target. Flounder are beginning to move into main river channels and can be found around docks, as well as near the large rock piles lining the Southport waterfront.
Speckled trout fishing has been slower than usual, likely due to the effects of a colder winter, but signs point to improvement as water temperatures continue to rise. Focus efforts in areas where multiple creeks converge, especially along points with defined current breaks and strong moving water.
Nearshore
Nearshore waters are now holding solid numbers of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and the first waves of king mackerel. Trolling Clarkspoons behind a No. 1 or No. 2 planer, paired with a 30–35 foot leader of 20-pound fluorocarbon, remains one of the most effective setups for targeting Spanish and blues.
Keep an eye out for diving birds in 10–30 feet of water, as they often signal active feeding fish below. Pogies are abundant along the beaches and can be easily caught with a cast net, then used as live bait for king mackerel.
Key nearshore areas such as Yaupon Reef, Lockwood Ledges, and Lighthouse Rocks are all productive spots to target spring kings.
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
Offshore (20–40 Miles)
Anglers venturing offshore in the 20–40 mile range will find a variety of opportunities. King mackerel, amberjack, and the first cobia of the season are top targets this month.
May 1 marked the opening of grouper season, and early reports indicate very strong fishing. Productive structure includes rock piles, ledges, and shipwrecks. Grouper can be effectively targeted using either a knocker rig or a traditional threeway swivel setup. Live bait continues to outperform, with pinfish caught on nearshore reefs and live pogies being top choices.
Gulf Stream
May is widely regarded as peak mahi-mahi season, as their annual migration through the area reaches its height. While wahoo and tuna are still present, most offshore anglers will be focusing their efforts on mahi.
Effective trolling spreads include small ballyhoo rigged with seawitches, as well as weighted bullet head lures such as Islanders and Blue Water Candy lures. Productive areas include weedlines, temperature breaks where blue-green water transitions to deeper blue, floating debris, and areas with visible bait activity such as flying fish.
As the month progresses, particularly into mid-to-late May, anglers should not hesitate to fish in waters as shallow as 100 feet when conditions are favorable. This time of year often sees fish holding closer in than expected, and many anglers miss opportunities by running too far offshore toward the edge of the continental shelf. May also brings an exciting increase in blue marlin and sailfish activity off the Carolina coast. Consistent action is typically found along strong current edges in approximately 100 fathoms. Targeting these species requires large trolling lures and 50–80 lb class tackle, but the reward can be the catch of a lifetime.
Spring has arrived, and summer is just around the corner. It’s an ideal time to get out on the water and experience some of the best fishing of the year. For those without access to a boat, the area offers a number of excellent charter operations ready to provide a memorable day on the water.
See you out there. Captain Steele, Catherine Anne Sportfishing
Community
BCC Sports On Fire Four Teams Are Championship Material
STORY CONTRIBUTED
Brunswick Community College (BCC) Dolphins Athletics is celebrating a record-breaking year across all four programs, beginning with an exceptional winter season and carrying that momentum into a standout spring.
The success story began on the court, where Men’s Basketball delivered its second consecutive Region/District Championship and earned another trip to the NJCAA National Tournament, marking back-to-back national appearances for the program. Women’s Basketball also turned in a record-setting season, advancing to the Region Semifinals and continuing to build momentum for the future.
That energy has carried seamlessly into the spring season, where both baseball and softball are making headlines of their own.
The BCC Baseball team currently sits atop the Region 10 East standings and has earned a national ranking of #9, positioning itself among the top programs in the country as postseason play approaches.
Softball is also enjoying a historic run, currently ranked third in Region 10. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Karlyn Stephens, the team is on pace to break the school record for wins and is
pushing toward its first-ever Region Tournament appearance.
“This has truly been a special year for BCC sports,” said Athletics Director Robbie Allen. “From the success of our basketball programs to the incredible seasons our spring teams are putting together, our student-athletes continue to raise the bar and represent BCC with pride.”
As the Dolphins head into the final stretch of the season, the community is invited to be part of this historical year. Supporters can make a direct impact on BCC student-athletes by contributing to Dolphins Athletics.
For more information on Dolphins Athletics and information on how to donate, visit gobccsports.com or contact Allen at
910-755-7321.
About Brunswick Community College
Brunswick Community College (BCC) is a public community college in Bolivia, North Carolina. BCC offers associate in arts, associate in science, and associate in engineering degrees for students who plan to transfer to a senior institution to complete a baccalaureate or higher degree. BCC also offers a wide range of High School Pathways (Career & College Promise), certificates, diplomas, and degrees to pre-
pare students for entry-level jobs in para-professional and healthcare fields. Through the Division of Continuing Education, Economic & Workforce Development, BCC offers over 250 customized courses, programs, and services to enhance employees’ careers, improve business effectiveness, and support the new and existing workforce. For more information about Brunswick Community College and our programs, please visit our website www.brunswickcc.edu.
Golf Tips Learning From Masters Lessons From A Visit To Augusta Tournament
BY NICOLE WELLER, LPGA / PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
It’s truly an honor to be able to walk the hallowed ground at Augusta National, and this year I had an opportunity to return to this majestic event and course and watch the masters at work. I always enjoy observing and learning and thought I’d share some fun tidbits from this year’s pilgrimage.
Based on Vision54’s concepts, the area before entering into a shot is called the Think Box (plan, decide and most importantly Commit 100%) and the area over the shot is called the Play Box (you guessed it, where the golfer actually plays the shot, no more thinking). The Play Box is typically a 3-9 second box. The players I timed took about 22 seconds on average overall from start to finish with their pre-shot routines which is about standard, about 10 of which were in the Play Box. My entire master’s degree thesis (that I eventually presented at conferences at the University of St. Andrews, New Orleans at AAASP and at the University of Ulster in N. Ireland) was on the timing and content of a pre-shot routine, fun stuff for me about efficiency and effectiveness.
I love going to the practice facilities to watch the players warm up (before) or practice (after). Most of the Tour players had their coaches with them for recalibration and confirmation. If the best of the best need feedback, it’s truly a sign that golf is a tough game in constant flux. We can never ‘fix’ a swing but can certainly learn to manage it as the needle moves a bit left or right or sits right where we want it for a while but never forever as a variable human being.
When I was watching players on
the putting green, I saw four out of five players using feedback, mostly mirror drills, mirror and gate drills, gate drills, yardstick or alignment aids and tees. Practicing without feedback is like driving a car without a speedometer. At the driving range I saw four out of six players using feedback, mostly alignment rods on the ground or on plane angles and data trackers. I learned a cool swing plane drill that I’ve already used successfully with a student. One player went back to make two swings within the shafts then went up to hit a shot and then repeated. Over and over again with pace and tenacious patience. I often tell golfers to practice as much as they want to improve… practice a lot to improve a lot, a little for a little improvement and no practice for negligible improvement.
I love positioning myself about 20 yards down on the teeing ground from where the players let that drive loose, the ball sounds like a rocket taking off, one of my favorite sounds. Mine don’t sound quite like that, LOL!
I love hearing the crowds erupt in different parts of the course. The Gestalt of the event is part of our golf culture and world.
I saw a player make a nine on hole 15 after hitting two balls onto the green that rolled back into the wa-
ter, then hitting over the green and having to chip on and two putt. The game is hard, even for the best. We usually see the best players that week on tv and don’t realize how many putts and shots are missed during a round of golf. We own it and move on.
I’d like to see pace of play pick up. Having played highly competitive amateur golf, I’ve been in groups that were put on the clock due to the pace rules. We had to make our decisions within a specific timeline and I think the best players can too. Learning how to gather data in a timely manner and not get overloaded with current options will help the game move along for both professionals but also the recreational club golfer. Many clubs have pace of play policies in effect for 4 hour or 4 hour 15 minute rounds. Actually, the game itself takes only 2-3 minutes to move the ball (let’s say 100 shots times 2 seconds…120
seconds), so the rest of the time is what happens or is wasted between shots. No one wants a 5- to 6-hour round. Gather the data efficiently and then go golf that ball!
It certainly was quite an event this year and an exciting ending…I wonder if Rory McElroy might be the first player to three-peat if he can pull off another win next year? Either way, our 2026 golf season is kicked off and in full swing, so Happy Golfing!
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.
History
CSS Neuse Ironclad
May Cape Fear Civil War Round Table
STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
OnMay 14, the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table will host Matthew Young, Site Manager of the CSS Neuse Museum in Kinston. One of North Carolina’s ironclads built to contest U.S. Navy supremacy on the sounds, the Neuse typified the challenges faced by the Confederacy as it tried to build a navy from a baseline of zero.
Matt Young grew up in Columbus, Georgia, graduated from Columbus State University in 2002 with a BA in History and earned an MA in History from New Hampshire University in 2022. Since 2014, Matt has led the CSS Neuse Museum as Site Manager, bringing years of expertise from his work with the National Infantry Museum and the National Civil War Naval Museum. It’s important to note that Matt’s hometown is the location of the National Civil War Naval Museum. At first glance, it seems odd that a town almost 300 miles from salt water would be the home of a naval museum, but Columbus is on the fall line of the Chattahoochee River, a river that rises in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Georgia at an elevation more than 3,000 feet above sea level and ultimately finds its way through Atlanta and the swampy lowlands of southern Georgia and the Florida panhandle to the Gulf of Mexico.
It was an important industrial site in the Civil War and housed a Confederate Navy Yard where important components of ships, including cannon, were produced. One ironclad ship, the CSS Jackson, was built there but was incomplete at the war’s end. Matthew balances his administrative leadership of a state historic site with a passion for education, instructing students in
U.S. History at Lenoir Community College and specializing in U.S. Naval History at the United States Naval Community College. After completing his Master’s in History in 2022, Matthew continues to share his deep knowledge of American heritage both in the classroom and at the museum.
With thanks to the North Carolina History Project website, here’s a quick overview of the history of the CSS Neuse. On October 17, 1862 the Confederate Navy Department signed a contract with the shipbuilding firm of Thomas Howard and Elijah Ellis of New Bern to construct an ironclad gunboat to be called the CSS Neuse, named for the river that runs through the northern part of the state. The ship was to be completed by March 1, 1863, so work began at Whitehall (present-day Seven Springs), right away.
The site, however, was vulnerable to Union attack and the unfinished ship was moved to Kinston for completion, especially the installation of machinery such as its steam engine. Like all of the Confederacy’s 20-plus ironclads, construction was hampered by the south’s lack of industrial facilities to forge iron plate and build steam engines. The saga of the construction of the Neuse is a veritable catalog of shortages, problems, setbacks, which Matt will detail. The history of the ship is also the drama of the personnel who strove to complete construction of the vessel and bring it into service.
The Neuse was a casemate ironclad that followed the same basic design as the Confederacy’s first ironclad, the CSS Virginia which famously battled the USS Monitor at the history-making battle of Hampton Roads in 1862. Unlike the Monitor with its innovative revolving turret, the Confederate ironclads employed an armored structure over its gun deck to allow for a broad-
side arrangement of guns much like the famous wooden warships that preceded it. The casemate has been aptly described as something like an upturned bathtub. Unlike its sister ship, the CSS Albemarle, the Neuse saw no action until the end of the war when U.S. land forces reached Kinston. The ship helped cover the retreat of the Confederate army from Kinston after the Battle of Wise Fork, and was then scuttled.
The wreck of the ship settled to the bottom of its namesake river only becoming visible during times of low water. The machinery, armor plating, and guns of the Neuse were salvaged immediately following the war, but no serious attempts were made to restore the ship until the mid-1900s. The gunboat’s remains were salvaged in the early 1960s, and the hull was moved to the Richard Caswell Memorial Park in 1964. Since then, it has been the centerpiece of Matt’s CSS Neuse State Historic Site and Governor Richard Caswell Memorial in Kinston. The museum, located at 100 N. Queen St. in Kinston is well worth a visit. More than 15,000 artifacts were recovered from the ship and help tell its story at the museum. Nearby is a full-sized replica built and maintained by a private foundation.
The May 14 meeting begins at 7 pm and doors open at 6:30 pm. Come and hear the story of the “Brownwater Ironclad.” The meeting will be held in Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1219 Forest Hills Drive in Wilmington. The centrally located meeting place is near Independence Mall. The church parking lot and entrance to the meeting room is easily accessed via Park Avenue off of Independence Boulevard. All are welcome. For more information about membership, check out the Round Table’s website at https://www.cfcwrt.org/ See you there!
Showcase OWA Upcoming Shows
Something For Everyone In New Season
STORY CONTRIBUTED
Get ready to relive the soundtrack of your life. Odell Williamson Auditorium (OWA) at Brunswick Community College is proud to announce its 2026–2027 Live Event Season, featuring a dynamic lineup of eight iconic tribute performances and two exciting bonus shows that will bring audiences on a musical journey starting in October, running through February 2027.
Season ticket packages and bonus show tickets are on sale now.
This year’s theme, “Relive the Soundtrack of Your Life: Timeless Tributes,” celebrates the music that defined generations, performed by some of the top tribute acts in the country.
The 2026–2027 season lineup includes:
Let’s Hang On – Frankie Valli Tribute (Oct. 9, 2026)
Van the Band – Van Morrison Tribute (Oct. 23, 2026)
Rod, The Show – Music & Legacy of Rod
Stewart (Nov. 13, 2026)
Soul of America – Legendary Ladies of Soul (Dec. 11, 2026)
Fiddle in the Band – Alabama Tribute (Jan. 15, 2027)
Elements – Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute (Jan. 22, 2027)
Bennie and the Jets – Elton John Tribute (Feb. 5, 2027)
Band on the Run – Paul McCartney Tribute (Feb. 26, 2027)
In addition to the main stage performances, two special bonus shows will be
offered:
Dinosaur Dimensions –A theatrical family performance (Oct. 3, 2026)
Lover – A Taylor Swift Tribute (Dec. 13, 2026)
Season packages include all eight main stage performances, with bonus shows available for separate purchase.
OWA continues its tradition of bringing high-quality entertainment to Brunswick County, offering audiences the chance to experience beloved music and memorable performances close to home.
Season subscriptions offer the best value and priority seating, and patrons are encouraged to secure their seats early when sales open on April 21.
For tickets, pricing, and additional details, visit bccowa.com/events or call the OWA Box Office at 910-755-8513.
History Music And A Speaker
May Brunswick Civil War Roundtable
STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
It will be a festive evening on Tuesday, May 5 at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach as the Brunswick Civil War Round Table celebrates its 16th anniversary. Returning guest speaker Hampton Newsome, award-winning Civil War historian, will discuss a topic of interest for all North Carolina residents entitled, “The Fight for the Old North State.” His presentation follows foot stompin’ musical entertainment from local bluegrass band Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers!
The Wilmington Star News describes this up and coming band as having “a mix of tight harmonics, considerable music chops, and the youthful ability to conjure instant goodwill.” But best of all, this is a family affair, with sisters Isabella on fiddle and AnnMari on guitar, brother Pete on banjo, the youngest sibling Chris on mandolin, and sometimes Dad on bass. So get ready for some good ole foot-stompin’ music and a little rabble-rousing fun!
As for the main event, our guest speaker is the guy who led the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection team that created the ubiquitous yellow Energy Guide labels on your appliances. Now retired, he has had a long career as attorney with the Federal Trade Commission and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He is also the author of several Civil War books, including The Fight for the Old North State: The Civil War in North
Carolina January-May, 1864, which he will be discussing at the meeting.
Newsome will focus on the Confederate effort to retake the key coastal positions in North Carolina during the first half of 1864. In launching these operations, Confederate leaders sought to secure vital supplies for Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army, and dampen a growing peace movement then threatening to pull the state out of the Confederacy and out of the war. The ensuing series of engagements, including the New Bern Expedition and the Battle of Plymouth, involved complex joint army and navy operations, daring raids, and deadly ironclads.
Everyone is welcome to join us for
what promises to be an evening of both entertainment and information. Registration will begin early at 5:45 pm, the entertainers begin at 6 pm, and the presentation begins at 7 pm. The visitor fee is still only $10, and may be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues, which can include a spouse.
For more information about this final meeting of the season, or about the Round Table itself, please contact president John Butler at Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com, or call him directly at 404-229-9425. Or, visit their website at Brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com for background, news, and updates, or check out their Facebook page.
Keeping Fit
Discipline Advantage
Treating Fitness as a Non-Negotiable
BY VICTOR FERNANDES
Victor Fernandes is owner of Fernandez Fit, helpjng clients achieve personal and professional success through health and fitness
There is a difference between being interested in fitness and being committed to it. I see that difference every day in the conversations I have with clients. The professionals I work with across Brunswick County are driven and informed. They are leading teams, running businesses, raising families, and carrying real responsibility in communities like Southport, Leland and Shallotte.
What separates those who stay consistent from those who constantly restart is not motivation. It is discipline. More to the point, it is how they view fitness.
When someone first joins Fernandes Fit, the initial conversation often starts with weight loss. They want to feel better in their clothes. They want to drop a few pounds. They want visible change – and that is understandable.
But the true shift toward a successful health and wellness journey happens when the goal shifts from appearance to performance. Instead of focusing on how we look, we turn our attention to how we show up.
Are we energized in meetings? Do we have patience at home with our family? Can we handle stress without getting angry? Fitness becomes less about the mir-
ror and more about capacity. When we see strength training, nutrition, and recovery as tools to improve our leadership and resilience, those facets of life stop feeling optional, because at that point, discipline removes the daily debate busy professionals face – the one that features internal negotiation.
“I will start Monday” or “I am too busy this week” or “I will make up for it later.”
I have those thoughts. We all do. But when training three days per week is simply what we do, it no longer requires emotional energy and it becomes part of our standard.
As a Brunswick County fitness coach, my job is not to push people harder. It is to help them create structure through clear programming, defined expectations, measurable progress and account-
ability. When structure is in place, consistency becomes easier.
With a structured plan in place, all we need to do is execute the plan. It isn’t very different in the business world. We solve problems every day by implementing plans that work and executing those plans.
But unlike our careers, our health often become the flexible part of their schedule – the task we squeeze into our day if and when we have time for it. Our health will always be reactive instead of proactive, which is why the goal at Fernandes Fit is to fit our health and wellness plan seamlessly into our daily lives – including travel, long workdays, family events –and everything that causes stress that we need to relieve.
That plan also provides the energy we need to thrive, not simply survive, each day.
Energy management, in a way, matters more than time management. When energy is low, everything feels harder. Our patience shortens. Focus drifts. Small obstacles feel bigger. When energy is strong, we lead better. Consistent strength training, daily movement, adequate sleep, and simple nutrition habits are strategies to build energy.
My clients across Brunswick County transform not just physically, but in how they carry themselves. Their posture improves. Tone changes. Confidence grows. That presence carries into boardrooms and living rooms. That is the ROI from disciplined training.
Treating fitness as a non-negotiable does not mean life never inter-
rupts you. Travel happens. Kids get sick. Deadlines shift. Disciplined clients do not panic when a week goes off track. They adjust. They do the work. They understand that consistency is measured over months and years, not days.
This is how sustainable fitness programs are built in real life – through the idea that quality health and wellness is foundational, not optional or seasonal. It’s 24-7-365 because that’s exactly how life works, no matter how many twists and turns we encounter and obstacles get in our way.
And of course, it’s as simple as it is foundational:
• Train three times per week.
• Prioritize protein and whole foods.
• Sleep with intention.
• Move daily.
• Review your habits weekly.
• Repeat the above steps day after day
It’s not extreme, flashy or revolutionary in any way – it’s simply disciplined execution.
Fitness Is Our Business – and if we approach it that way every day, our health and wellness – like business – can pay off handsomely.
If you need help harnessing the discipline we all have inside to face challenges you have always wanted to conquer, or 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.
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We’ve
included events here that are listed as scheduled, but please remember that all events, dates and times are subject to change. (For programs offered through the Town of Leland, visit https://apm.activecommunities.com/townofleland/ to register online or register in person at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way). Register online for Town of Oak Island programs at www.OakIslandNC.goc/PROGRAMS. — Lisa
May
APRIL 27-MAY 2
Restaurant Week — Oak Island and Southport
It’s a great week to try something new from restaurants in the Southport-Oak Island area. Restaurants will offer special menu items only offered during Spring Restaurant Week, special price points, or pre-fixed dining options — including multiple courses — offered at one price point. Check https://www. southport-oakisland.com/article/restaurant-week.html for your Restaurant Week Passport.
APRIL 30
Artists Reception — LCAC
A reception for artists Deb Helms and Karen Goldman is 6-8 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
MAY 2
Seafood Festival — Oak Island
This annual event features great seafood, cooking demonstrations, a peeland-eat shrimp contest, educational programs, food trucks, a craft market, and live music from the Lockwood River Band. The festival is noon to 5 pm at the Middleton Park Complex, SE 46th Street and Dolphin Drive.
MAY 2
Women of Brunswick
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site hosts a number of living history demonstrations that focus on the women who worked and lived at the port of Brunswick. Get a chance to see what their life was like and dive into a new perspective of Port Brunswick. This
is a free event for all ages, 10 am to 4 pm at the site, 8884 St. Philips Road SE in Winnabow (of NC 133).
MAY 2
Craft Fair — Varnamtown
Shop for arts and crafts from local vendors. The fair is 10 am to 3 pm at Town Hall, 100 Varnamtown Road SW. There will be shuttle service for parking at Dixon Chapel.
MAY 2
MayDay Festival - Shelton Herb Farm
Get out and welcome spring properly, with this festival at Shelton Herb Farm, 340 Goodman Road NE, Leland. There will be several local herbal and botanical vendors, a food and coffee truck, kids activities and lots of early spring flowers and plants to purchase. MayDay is 9 am to 4 pm at the farm.
MAY 2
Green Swamp Nature Walking Tours
Join the Adventure Company for a guided tour of the Green Swamp. Tour tickets are $40, and groups must have at least four participants. Call 910-4540607 for more information and reservations. Tours meet up at 8 am at the Green Swamp Entrance 5 miles north of the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. 211 intersection. Other tour dates are May 16 and May 30.
MAY 5
Brunswick Civil War Round Table
Enjoy bluegrass music from Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers and listen to guest speaker Hampton Newsome, award-winning Civil War historian, who will discuss a topic of interest for all North Carolina residents entitled, “The
Fight for the Old North State.” Music begins at 6 pm, and the program begins at 7 pm. There is a $10 fee for non-members, but that can be used toward the $25 annual membership. The group meets at Hatch Auditorium at Fort Caswell, Caswell Beach.
MAY 5
ReadyBrunswick Preparedness ExpoBrunswick County
This family-friendly event is free to attend and will feature more than 50 local businesses and organizations that are ready to show you and your loved ones how to achieve a healthy and resilient lifestyle, guide you in developing an emergency plan, teach you about organizations that can assist with recovery needs, and more. The program is 10 am to 2 pm on the Lisa M. Thompson Walking Trail at the Brunswick County Government Complex, 30 Government Center Drive, Bolivia. There will be free Sunset Slush Classic Italian Ice, popcorn, a vast display of rescue vehicles, a free raffle contest, handouts, interactive demonstrations, health screenings, and other activities. Free demonstrations include nutrition planning, cross-fit, and yoga. Food can be purchased from the various food trucks that will be on-site. For any questions or vendor opportunities, call 910-253-1923. Find preparedness information anytime at BrunswickCountyNC.gov/emergency.
MAY 5
Wire 101: Make Your Own Bookmark with Jameka
Part of the Town of Leland’s Art Around Town, this event is a night of wire wrapping at Mimi and Papa’s Popcorn and Sweet Shop! Participants will use hammers and bench blocks to forge a beautiful copper or silver wire bookmark and can embellish their creations with semi-precious stone beads of all colors. This is an open program for people to drop in anytime between 6 and 8 pm, at 324 Village Road NE.
MAY 6
Tour Dosher Hospital - Southport Dosher Memorial Hospital invites community members to take an in-person tour of the hospital at 1 pm. Local residents can get an up-close look at the services offered and have questions about the hospital answered by knowledgeable professionals. The tour group will meet in the front lobby of the main hospital building at 924 N. Howe St., Southport. Space is limited, so call 910457-3900 or email marketing@dosher. org to reserve your spot.
MAY 7
Games & Card Party Fundraiser
The GFWC — Southport Women’s Club hosts an after of cards and games at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St. The event is 1-4 pm, and includes light refreshments, a 50/50, silent auction and raffles. Tickets are $30 — call 703-200-4335 or 703-403-6969 to purchase tickets.
MAY 8
Salute to Veterans — Leland
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with an evening of performances honoring and supporting veterans and first responders.The evening includes participation from the Veteran Creative Arts Program, line dancing, a short 10-minute play by the current VCAP Theatre Program, and music from Brunswick Big Band from 7-9 pm, with selections from the Great American Songbook. General admission is $15, and the entry fee is $10 for veterans and first responders.
MAY 9
Badges, Boats & Boots: First Responder Softball Tournament
The Oak Island Police and Fire Departments team up to again take on the U.S. Coast Guard in a friendly game of softball at Bill Smith Park, 4410 Fish Factory Road (a new location for this year’s game). Refreshments will be available for purchase, and the game starts at 1 pm.
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MAY 12
Second Tuesday Talk
The Southport Historical Society’s Second Tuesday Talk features Shannon Walker, Curator of Programming and Education at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport will discuss the Venus flytrap in a presentation called “A Curiosity Grows in Carolina.” First identified in 1759, the little plant sparked a craze that would involve a North Carolina royal governor, the who’s who of 18th century scientists, and a high seas adventure. The meeting is at 1 am and is free to attend. Reservations required: 910-457-6237.
MAY 16
Veterans Memorial Reef: Fallen Heroes Ceremony
This ceremony brings together veterans, first responders, community leaders, and residents to honor those who have served and sacrificed. The ceremony will include a presentation of colors, special remarks, tributes, taps, and benediction. Veterans Memorial Reef honors veterans by laying them to rest at sea, where they become part of a living artificial reef that supports marine life while serving as a lasting tribute to their service. The ceremony is at 10 am at the Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
MAY 19
Ancestry Research Assistance from Southport Historical Society Volunteer Genealogist Henry Livingston will offer research assistance at the Harper Library, 109 W. Moore St. in Southport from 10 am to noon.
MAY 19
Brunswick Partnership for Housing Fundraiser
Enjoy an evening of dancing, food and fun for a great cause. Doors open at 5 pm for the 5th annual Brunswick Partnership for Housing fundraiser at American Fish Co., 150 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport. The Salty Dawgs will play from 6-8 pm. Tickets are $50 and include dinner. Cash bar, 50/50 and door prizes. Order
tickets at https://www.brunswickpartnership.org/events/americanfish
MAY 19
Brunswick Newcomers Club
This month’s meeting of the Brunswick Newcomers Club welcomes Wilmington International Airport representatives to talk about the recent growth of the airport, community impacts and how area residents can best utilize airport services. In addition, representatives from the Salvation Army will join the meeting to talk about their new Center for Hope facility that recently opened in Wilmington. Learn how this new facility is helping our communities and how residents can get involved through volunteer opportunities. Membership specials will be available for those non-members interested in participating in all the summer activities. Information will be available at the Membership Table throughout the meeting. The group meets at 9:30 am at Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport.
MAY 22-23
Southport Arts MAY-nia
This community-focused event includes numerous arts and crafts vendors, along with featured demonstrations by well-known art instructors and students. The Southport Garden Club is planning a plant and herb sale, the Caswell Avenue Community Garden will offer educational information and tours of the garden and the Southport Unity Committee and Southport Historical Society will add some special events to this once-a-year event. Cape Fear Radio is providing a live remote and music for all to enjoy. The event is 9 am to 3 pm both days, at Brunswick Community College ARTS Lawn, 701 N. Lord St., Southport.
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 opportunity 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.
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
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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 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.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
701 N. Third St., Wilmington
May 2 — Ali Saddiq - The Custom Fit Tour
May 9 —- Let’s Sing Taylor
May 10 — Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
May 12 — David Lee Roth
May 13 — One Night of Queen
May 14 — John Crist Live
May 16 — Judy Collins with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
May 17 — LeAnn Rimes
May 22 — 38 Special - Milestone
May 23 — Jaso Mraz - Still Yours Tour
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
Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St., Wilmington
May 1-9 — The Opera House Theatre Company & Twinkle Doon present The Varsity Line
May 2 — The Wizard of Oz on Ice Check https://www.thalianhall.org/calendar for more information.
May 8 — Dolly
May 14-24 — The Opera House Theatre Company presents The Wild Party
May 14-24 — Big Dawg Theatre Company presents Men on Boats
May 15-24 — Hello, Dolly! From the Thalian Association Community Theatre
May 29-31 — Ten-Minute Miscellany from the Port City Playwrights
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
1941 Amphitheatre Dr., Wilmington
May 3 — Ani DiFranco w/ Special Guest Valerie June
May 9 — Waylon Wyatt
May 10 — Rising Appalachia
May 15-16 — Future Islands
May 17 — An Evening with Dark Star Orchestra
May 18-19 — Toy Factory Project
May 22 — Moe.
May 23 — Punch Brothers
May 24 — Loud Music Company
June 1 — Echo & The Bunnymen
June 2 — 49 Winchester
June 9 — Modest Mouse
June 11 — Wyatt Flores
June 13 — Big Something
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 22 — Band of Oz
May 29 — The Salty Dawgs
June 5 — Christine Martinez Band
June 12 — Catalinas
June 19 — Julio & the Saltines
June 16 — Too Much Sylvia
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
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
Holden Beach Summer Concerts
The season starts off at Bridgeview Park and changes to Block Q midseason
Concerts are 6:30-8 pm
May 24 — Special Occasion Band
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
The Peggy Hughes Summer Concert Series
Ocean Isle Beach
Town Center Park, 11 E. 2nd St.
Concerts are 6:30-8 pm
May 24 — The Entertainers
June 5 — Shine
June 12 — Continental Divide
June 19 — North Tower
June 26 — Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
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
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
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
Historic Olde Southport Village Shoppes
The vendor fair is May 2 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.
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.
ONGOING EVENTS
Friends of the Library
The Once More used bookstore, at Southport Realty (727 N. Howe St.), with new-to-you books, is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays 10 am to noon. Visit https://
CALENDAR
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.
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 — this Tiny Tanks program will have children using clear jars, water, glitter, glue, and mini sea creatures to build a tiny tank they can shake, swirl and explore. It’s a fun and exciting way to bring the undersea world to life! The program is 10 am to 3 pm, with the first two hours at a subdued sensory level. Visit www. ncmaritimemuseum.com to register for special programs.
Franklin Square Art Gallery
The Gallery is open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday and can be found next to Franklin Square Park.
First Friday Gallery Walk — Southport
The First Friday Gallery Walk is 5-7 pm in Southport at participating galleries, such as Lantana’s, The Rickey Evans Gallery, the Franklin Square Art Gallery, Artisans on Howe and Southport Studio Artists. Stroll along, or jump on the trolley, browse in the shops, and see what local artists have to offer. The first Gallery Walk for the year will be March 7.
Oak Island Recreation Department
Join the Striders Club at various locations and dates/times to get out and about with a group or try your hand at art with a new class. There are book clubs, kayak tours in the Davis Canal, surf fishing lessons, and much more. Visit https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/ oakislandnc for details on programs.
Town of Leland/Parks & Recreation
Check out https://www.townofleland. com/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources for more information on classes and programs, including starting an art journal, pottery, gardening, writing creative nonfiction, acting, dance and more.
Bingo at the Elks Lodge — Oak Island
Bingo games are on the second and fourth Tuesdays at the Lodge, 106 E. Dolphin Drive, Oak Island. Games are open to the public; no one under 16 and no outside food or drinks allowed. Doors open to the public at 5:45 pm with games starting at 6:30 pm. Snacks and drinks available for purchase (cash or checks only). Winner takes all coverall.
Battleship North Carolina — near Leland
Tour the USS NORTH CAROLINA and participate in group programs and special programming throughout the year. Visit https://battleshipnc.com/. Battleship Alive is April 11, when attendees can watch and interact with World War II living history interpreters who bring the Ship to life by re-enacting daily duties and drills. Hidden Battleship, a behindthe-scenes tour ($75) is April 18. The battleship site is at 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington (west side of the Cape Fear River).
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic
Site
8884 St. Philips Rd. SE, Winnabow
There is plenty to do and see, with a museum, historic ruins, great information on the site’s history, and some of the most beautiful riverfront property in the County. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
.Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach
The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm (until 7 pm Tuesday and Thursday) and Sundays from noon until 4 pm. Touch tank feedings are Fridays at 11 am. Also open February 15-16 for President’s Day
.Ingram Planetarium
7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach
The Planetarium is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm; dome shows start on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm. Laser shows are on Fridays and Saturdays at 6 pm and 7 pm. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ ingram-planetarium/ to see the show schedule.
Brunswick Newcomer’s Club — Southport
The Brunswick Newcomer’s Club is a non-profit social club of more than 300 adults who live in Southeastern Brunswick County, including the Boiling Springs, Bolivia, Leland, Oak Island, St. James, Shallotte, Southport and Sup-
shallottemag.com /May 2026/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine
ply areas. Meetings are held the third Tuesday morning of every month at 9:30 a.m. in Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport. For more information visit: Brunswick Newcomer’s Club or contact us at brunswick.newcomers@gmail.com or find them on Facebook. Please note that the group does not meet in June, July or August, but will resume meeting in September..
Wilmington River Tours
212 S. Water St., Wilmington Tour the beautiful Cape Fear River and learn more about the area’s history and ecology. Sunset cruises include acoustic music Thursdays through Sundays! Tours are offered daily, to the north along historic downtown Wilmington, the USS North Carolina Battleship and Eagles Island on the even hours, and to the south under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and past the shipyard on the odd hours; visit https://wilmingtonwatertours.net/ for schedules and to purchase tickets.
Don’t see your event or location listed? Try as we might, we don’t catch everything, so to be sure to be included send your events to lisa@southportmag. com before the 20th of each month!
you!
Meet The Author
Book Events Throughout the County
May 5
Southwest Brunswick Branch Library
9400 Ocean Highway West, Carolina Shores
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. This will be a conversation about inspiration, setting, and the heart and adventure found where land meets sea. Books will be on hand for purchase and signing. Proceeds from book sales will be used to help women in need in Brunswick and Horry Counties. The event is 5-6:30 pm at the library.
May 14
G.V. Barbee Library
8200 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island
Helen Aitken is a freelance writer and novelist from Peletier, NC. An award-winning writer and former science educator, she writes Southern-inspired nonfiction and fiction. She’s the author of “It Only Happens to Me,” a collection of witty essays, and her debut novel, “Blame It On Paris,” a suspenseful romantic comedy featuring Southern characters who are led through Paris on zany adventures. Both books will be available for purchase after the talk, 4:30 to 5:30 pm at the library.
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 16
Kristy Woodson Harvey - “Summer State of Mind”
This book tells the tale of a woman who has left the city behind, looking for a new life—and possibly new love—when she is faced with the discovery of an abandoned baby. After the worst day in her professional life, burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens runs to Cape Carolina, North Carolina, looking for a new start. On her first day at her “simpler” job, high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby, sending ripples through the entire tight-knit town.
May 29
Mary Kay Andrews - “Road Trip”
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.
Looking for something to do besides going to the beach? Here you’ll find lots of fun for the entire family. Be sure to check before you go as hours may change and some attractions may be seasonal
Attractions
INGRAM PLANETARIUM
7625 High Market Street
Sunset Beach (mainland)
https://museumplanetarium.org/ingram-planetarium/
Enjoy musical laser shows and learn more about the night sky; check website for schedule and tickets. Hands-on activities and interactive displays are available in the Paul Dennis Science Center, and admission to the Center is free.
MUSEUM OF COASTAL CAROLINA
21 E. 2nd St.
Ocean Isle Beach
https://museumplanetarium.org/
Learn more about our coastal environment, with a live touch tank, saltwater aquariums, interactive exhibits, lectures and family programs. The Mu-
Attractions Guide
seum is open 10 am to 4 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 5-7 pm on the second Tuesday for sandbar lectures.
SHALLOTTE RIVER SWAMP PARK
5550 Watts Road SW
Ocean Isle Beach (mainland)
https://www.shallotteriverswamppark. com/
This adventure park features zip line tours, an aerial park, guided ATV tours and eco-tours on a swamp boat.
PLANET FUN/STARZ GRILL
349 Whiteville Road
Shallotte https://planetfuncenter.com/
This family entertainment center offers arcade games, laser tag, and bowling (including cosmic bowling on weekends), many TVs for watching all the games, and a restaurant.
SHALLOTTE RIVERWALK
Gazebos at 159 Cheers St. and 146 Wall St.
The Riverwalk is open from dawn to dusk, and features a quarter mile boardwalk, gazebos at each end and beautiful views of the Shallotte River.
OLD BRIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
109 Shoreline Drive West Sunset Beach (mainland) http://www.theoldbridge.org/
The old swing bridge that used to connect Sunset Beach to the mainland has been preserved as a museum. The Museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm, with stories about the Sunset Beach Swing Bridge tender house, local history, and more.
STUMP HILL FARMS
2030 Ash-Little River Road NW
Ash
https://www.stumphillfarms.com/
The farm is open on Saturdays in April and October, and by appointment or for special events other times of year, with hay rides, games for children, and educational opportunities covering bee pollination and local crops.
GRAYCE WYNDS FARM AND THE WILD HORSE RESERVE AT GRAYCE WYNDS
2450 Grayce Wynds Drive Supply, NC 28462
Visit the farm, take a guided tour, or participate in special events. Check https://www.graycewyndsfarm.com/ for tours available and events.
SILVERY COAST WINERY
6680 Barbeque Road
Ocean Isle Beach
https://silvercoastwinery.com/
Winery tours, tastings, and shop for wine accessories and gifts; event rental space also available.
OCEAN ISLE MINI GOLF
6391 Beach Drive SW
Ocean Isle Beach http://oceanisleminigolf.com
TREASURE ISLAND MINIATURE GOLF
3445 Holden Beach Rd.
Holden Beach (910) 842-4878
Parks
There are so many great spots to get out and enjoy this beautiful county. We’ve listed a few of the main parks here, but keep an eye out for smaller pocket parks and water access areas.
HOLDEN BEACH PAVILION AND BRIDGEVIEW PARK
The Pavilion is tucked in next to the west side of the bridge on the island, and Bridgeview Park is a couple blocks down the Intracoastal Waterway, at Davis Street.
TOWN CENTER PARK
11 E. Second St.
Ocean Isle Beach
This town park has an amphitheater, interactive fountain, bocce ball court, playground, and plenty of bike parking.
SHALLOTTE PARK
5550 Main St.
Ball fields, tennis courts, basketball court, a playground, picnic shelters and a dog park.
MULBERRY STREET PARK
123 Mulberry Street
Shallotte
Picnic shelters, an amphitheater, and home to Shallotte’s outdoor markets
SUNSET BEACH TOWN PARK
Sunset Boulevard North (mainland)
Stroll through five acres of live oaks along the Intracoastal Waterway, sit a spell on a bench, do some fishing or visit the Veterans Memorial.
Go Under The Sea at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach
OCEAN ISLE BEACH PARK
6483 Old Georgetown Road
The Park features 2 playgrounds, eight tennis courts, four pickleball courts, baseball and softball fields, a dog park, basketball courts, an amphitheater, picnic shelter and a multipurpose field for soccer/football with walking trail and fitness stations.
WACCAMAW PARK
5855 Waccamaw School Road NW, Ash
This park features ball fields, basketball court, tennis courts, playground, bocce ball and a nine-hole disc golf course.
Fishing Piers
SUNSET BEACH FISHING PIER
101 W. Main St. Sunset Beach http://sunsetbeachpier.com/
OCEAN ISLE BEACH PIER
1 W. First St. Ocean Isle Beach https://oibpier.com/
