Southport Explorer

SOUTHPORT Explorer Old Salt

native fisherman Fishing is a Dream page 26

New magazine’s focus is about what you as a vacationer will expect to see and find in Southport, Oak Island, Caswell Beach and more. photography by

Kathy Sykes

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SOUTHPORT Explorer

ABOUT US US ABOUT Choosing a beach to go to, can always be a lengthy process. Our magazine Southport Explorer covers several beaches in the area on the coast of North Carolina. We plan to feature areas of interest and dozens of photographs in the area. We hope you enjoy our little voyage and inspires one of yours in the near future. “Nestled on the coast between Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC the Southport-Oak Island community is tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Sunrise or Sunset? Southern facing beaches such as Oak Island, Caswell Beach and Bald Head Island are the only beaches where you can see a sunrise and sunset over the ocean.�

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southport-oakisland.com

“There are always new places to go fishing. For any fisherman, there's always a new place, always a new horizon. “ Jack Nicklaus

photographer Kathy Sykes

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The beauty of sea shells page 8 Sunflowers near the beach page 14 & 15 A Dog’s thoughts page 23 Salty’s Fishing Tips page 26 Advertising Information page 29

SOUTHPORT Explorer Explorer 4

This magazine is supported by the advertising inside.

SOUTHPORT Explorer

Publisher & Editor In Chief

336.480.4519 111 North Chestnut St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Southpoint Waterfront

Hello again readers! Here we are with the first edition of Southport Explorer magazine. I do want to thank you for reading our magazine online and sharing it with friends and family. Our sponsors are very involved in making this happen, they keep this magazine up and running!

Over the past 13 years the magazine Foothills Times magazine has undergone many changes, with Wedding Inspirations magazine and now introducing Southport Explorer magazine. This new publication will be covering Southport and surrounding tourism areas. As a photographer and Editor In Chief, I am very impressed with the photography of Kathy Sykes a native of Southport. Please feel free to reach out to me with ideas and stories.

As always we appreciate your added support with advertising in this publication, feel free to contact me about such opportunities. This publication will be promoted in The Foothills Times magazine printed edition in NC and VA. The readership of that publication online and printed VERSION has a readership of over 350,000. Please like us on facebook and share our magazine with others. Happy reading everyone!

Sincerely, David Eriksen Editor In Chief

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Ali Patwell, Dennis Crews, Duane Hill, Elizabeth Setliff, Elizabeth Shaw, Harvest Williams, Keely Jordan, Libby Scott, Nora Raynor, Sherri Hill Terry Frye, Vickie Smitherman Wall

Graphic Designer David Eriksen & Anina Brooks 5

Fish Market ¡ Specialty Grocery Store

The very best in local seafood.

Since 1899

For 5 generations the Potter family has been providing Southport with their catch of the day.

Come experience true fresh seafood, straight from our boats to your table!

910.457.0101 910.457.0101

FRESH FOR PICK-UP

94 Yacht Basin Street Southport, North Carolina 6

www.potters-seafood.com

SOUTHPORT Explorer Southport, North Carolina

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by David Eriksen

A whelk is an invertebrate mollusk that produces what many people think of as the iconic seashell. This shell is often sold as a souvenir, and it's said you can hear the sound of ocean waves if you put a whelk shell to your ear (although what you're actually hearing is your own pulse).

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photographer Kathy Sykes

W

helks are mollusks, marine snails that build elaborate shells as a home and a form of protection from predators. A lot of people are familiar with the broad term for sea shells, but may be as familiar with the name whelk. A whelk is simply the common name that is applied to various kinds of sea snail. They are relatively large, so are deďŹ nitely the hidden gems avid sea shell hunters seek.

photographer Kathy Sykes

www.foothillstimes.com

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Wharf at Charlie Perry’s American Fish Boatyard 10

photographer Kathy Sykes

“A boat in the harbor sends dreams to the dreamer. The man in the harbor calls for the boat to go farther.�

Jessica Jones

SOUTHPORT Explorer

Southport, North Carolina

www.foothillstimes.com 11

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THINGS TO DO

In Oak Island, NC The Oak Island Light is the most iconic landmark of Oak Island and raises high into the sky, piercing through the Oak Island landscape. It is the most newly constructed of all the lighthouses around Oak Island and certainly stands most proudly. The tower is not painted the traditional red and white of a lighthouse, but instead in hues of grey, so on a foggy day, the Oak Island Light blends right in!

The Ocean Crest Fishing Pier is Oak Island’s premier fishing pier. Loved by seasoned and weathered fishermen, along with the children who like to fish off the pier at weekends, no trip to Oak Island would be complete without a visit to Ocean Crest Fishing Pier.

CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION Oak Island Pier / Yaupon Pier was built in1955,rebuilt in 1972 and again in 1992. At 27 feet above sea level, the Yaupon Pier is the tallest in North Carolina. Additional reconstruction was finally completed again, due to hurricane Matthew. Top fish are 50lb King in 2002, 47lb African Pompano. 83lb Tarpon, 37lb Jack Crevalle, 16lb Sheepshead and a State Record 1,150lb Tiger Shark caught in 1966 by Walter Maxwell.

Carolina Waters Sports, in Oak Island, offers a great way to explore Oak Island and get out on the water! There’s nothing like the sea breeze to help you get a good night’s sleep, either! There are a wide range of water sports on offer here, including stand up paddle boarding, which is fast becoming their most popular activity!

High Tide Helicopter Tours, Once you have explored Oak Island on the ground, it’s time to head to the skies and see the island from a different angle the hawk-eye angle! High Tide Helicopter tours are the most reputable way to see Oak Island from above. You can even learn to fly a helicopter, if you’re feeling really daring!

The Environmental Overlook Trail may be passed over as it’s hidden away at the end of 31st Steet behind the Recreation Center at the base of the water tower. The trail allows you to cross the Davis Canal from the Oak Island Drive. Walk into nature in a natural swamp area where you will spot birds and wildlife.

SOUTHPORT Explorer 13

NEAR THE BEACH

A Variety of Handmade Skincare Products

H

ello my name is Cheryl Lynne and I created a company of my own called Butter and Scrubs Spa. We are located here in Winston - Salem, NC.My interest in skincare was sparkedby my grandmother from the Philippines who introduced me there to the wonders of nature. She also taught me how to use natural products for my skincare. My grandmother's teachings taught me at a young age how to appreciate using my skills and later to become an independent business woman. She also taught me tobelieve in myself which became importantin my life and business today.By cultivating these skills, it has given me the power to give back to mynew native adoptive country and to join my father who is a retired Naval OďŹƒcer. My company began as a hobby but discovering that my products were very helpful to my family members and friends, it grew to a product line that itis today. To learn more in addition to my grandmother’s teachings, I attended school tostudy skincare and the wide array of ingredients and to promote my business. It was this combined knowledge that helped me to utilize and create an improved product line.

Cheryl Lynne

336.997.3896

butterscrubsspa.com

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photographer Kathy Sykes

825 Burke Street. Winston Salem, NC 27101

Sunflowers can grow up to 6ft and are primarily found in woodlands, next to or across from creeks and other moistlike areas.

The tallest Sunflower on record was over 30 feet tall.

Grown in Germany by a man named Hans-Peter Schiffer, who has held the record twice before.

SOUTHPORT Explorer www.foothillstimes.com 15

Gator Hole Backyard / Winnadow NC 16

photographer Kathy Sykes

FOOTHILLS TIMES HAS BEEN PUBLISHED SINCE 2007

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N.C. Wildlife Ramp on Rice Creek 20

THE GATOR HOLE Country Store

YES YOU CAN FISH HERE! The Gator Hole welcomes fishing off of the floatingdock and shore on the edge of the Town Creek.

Situated on the banks of Town Creek, The Gator Hole offers a place to fish or drop in a canoe, kayak or jon boat.

Providing cold drinks, tasty snacks and an unforgettable Pontoon Boat tour down Town Creek.

Free Coffee Fridays

● Baked Goods ● Groceries, ● Snacks & Beer ● T-Shirts ● Consignments ● Live Bait ● Fishing Supplies ● Boat Tours The Gator Hole Country Store (Gator Hole) is a convenience store on Route 133 (River Road) between Leland and South Port, North Carolina and is a quarter of a mile away from Brunswick Nature Park. It is owned by Dan Webb. Dan's mission with the Gator Hole is to serve the communities of Winnabow, Leland, Navassa, Oak Island, South Port, and Belville..

910 399.7458 www.gatorholecountrystore.com

www.gatorholecountrystore.com 2801 River 2801 River Road Road SE, SE,Winnabow, Winnabow, NCNC 28479 28479

Under the boardwalk & 22

Ocean Crest Pier

by David Eriksen

So right now my owner is playing a little box in her hands, for whatever reason. All I know is that leash is no longer attached to her hand.

Would now be a good time to run and have some fun?

She would understand, wouldn’t she? But it’s almost like I’m being tricked into this, I can’t run to the left or to the right.

But what is around the corner up there? I’m always complexed over her actions, maybe I will get a treat if I just stay here. Sigh....

Oak Island and Southport both have dog friendly bars and restaurants that allow outdoor dining with pooches. Oak Island has an Off Season off leash period for well behaved dogs with good recall. Rules do apply and you must pick up after your dog.

(Off Season is Oct 16th and March 15th)

a walk on the boardwalk.

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I still love things that you don’t even need to pay for. Going to the beach and being around five of your friends and having a good time means so much more than going out and spending hundreds of dollars.

—Maria Sharapova

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Running from Reality -Leah Miller

t seemed almost crazy, packing a bag for a weekend alone and traveling somewhere I had never been. All my close friends and family questioned my motives, as though it was a season of depression, or an act of running away from reality.

I sat there taking in the smell of salt and feeling the warm breeze brush against my skin. “This was exactly what I needed,” I thought to myself as the waitress walked by and poured another glass of wine.The simple solitude and adventure in traveling alone somewhere far from home wasn’t an escape. It was the reignited fire that my soul desperately needed.

Beachology. Be shore of yourself. Don’t be crabby. Let the worries drift away.

Drown out pier pressure. Soak up positive energy. Seas life’s moments.

Oak Island, NC

SOUTHPORT Explorer

www.foothillstimes.com 25

“An oyster found in the waters of the ocean, sand and waves in motion may carry a pearl.

Lucky are you to find one fresh, natural and new."

-Jessica Jones

Caswell Beach, NC

By Steve Sykes

Whiting can be caught off piers, inshore boats and in the surf.

One of the few NC FISH that can be caught year round here with

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no size or number limit is the Whiting or Virginia Mullet .

They aren't picky eaters and will hit any kind of cut bait, shrimp or bloodworms.

Old Salt Steve Sykes native ďŹ sherman

SOUTHPORT Explorer

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SOUTHPORT Explorer

Beach access on Oak Island, North Carolina