South Brunswick Magazine - Spring 2023 Edition

EXTRAORDINARY CARE IS ALWAYS CLOSE BY

Here for you. Always.

At Dosher Memorial, it’s important that our patients know that extraordinary care is always near. Our doctors, nurses, specialists, and surgeons are all devoted to delivering a safe, high quality patient experience that’s among the very best. Trusted care from providers who are as committed to the health of our community as you are.

NOW

Let Floor Coverings International’s Expertise in new construction and home remodeling help you design your home today. We specialize in showers, bathrooms, kitchens, backsplashes, and all types of flooring. Our designers

Let Floor Coverings International’s Expertise in new construction and home remodeling help you design your home today. We specialize in showers, bathrooms, kitchens, backsplashes, and all types of flooring. Our designers

Kimberly Lewis and Dorothy Garland are involved from the onset of design and will assist you through demolition, installation, and the final inspection.

Kimberly Lewis and Dorothy Garland are involved from the onset of design and will assist you through demolition, installation, and the final inspection.

44 BREATHING LIFE INTO ART

Glassblower Paul Steinke of Leaning Glass Studios in Sunset Beach creates colorful handcrafted globes and more.

63 T HE COUPLE NEXT DOOR

Famed NASCAR personality Chocolate Myers and television, radio and print journalist Caron Myers enjoy the simple life in Ocean Isle Beach.

57 IN SPIRING EXPERIENCES

An unforgettable pilgrimage to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island inspires a replica on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Pigs Up in Smoke/Moka Café in Calabash is Brunswick County’s destination for Lexington-style barbecue.

A group of women in South Brunswick County are redefining the typical biker gang.

87 P UB SCOUT

Bringing traditional favorites, shareable boards and spirits to the morning meal makes Milk & Honey Breakfast, Bar & More a breakfast and brunch favorite in Calabash.

68 RIGHT ON TARGET

Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge hits the spot as a fun place to play and hang out in Southport.

PHOTO BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

CONTRIBUTED

PHOTO

PHOTO BY LEIGH ROBERTS

Craig N. Lippe, MD

David Fox, PA-C

Joseph B. Norris, MD

Kristen Walsh, PA-C

South Brunswick Magazine – Spring 2023

Volume 14, Issue 3

OWNER/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS:

L aura Glantz Teresa Kramer

S amantha Lowe E liza Dale Niemann

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Brian Wilner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:

E d Beckley Megan Deitz

Brent Gallant L aura Glantz

Jo Ann Mathews M att McGraw

Bill Ritenour L eigh Roberts

Tara Roberts James Stefiuk

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

E d Beckley C arolyn Bowers

John L. Cardillo A shley Daniels

K urt Epps S andi Grigg

D ennis Hetzel Joan Leotta

Jo Ann Mathews Theresa Ravencraft

Melissa Slaven Warren D enise Stoughton

PUBLISHED BY:

CAROLINA MARKETING COMPANY, INC. PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 207-0156 • info@southbrunswickmagazine.com

Reproduction or use of the contents in this magazine is prohibited.

© 2023 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. strives to bring correct, accurate information that is published in the magazine. However, Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from errors or absences. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. also cannot be held responsible for the services provided by any and all advertisers in our publications. All material in this magazine is property of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. and may not be reproduced without authorization from the publisher. South Brunswick Magazine – A Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. publication is published four times per year and is distributed to residents and businesses in South Brunswick County, NC, to subscribers and to select areas of New Hanover County, NC and Horry County, SC.

About the cover:

Spring means strawberries, and Theresa Ravencraft has come up with a great way to sip your strawberry haul. Make a strawberry simple syrup, add Grand Marnier, Prosecco and basil, and you’re well on your way to a refreshing happy hour, no matter what time of day. Get the full recipe on page 37.

Dr. Sonya Saadati Matthew Zeuschner, AGACNP-BC

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Back Issues

When available, back issues of SBM can be purchased for $5. Call or email us for information.

Letters

We welcome your letters and comments about SBM. Send your letters to PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 or email them to info@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com. When sending your letters, keep in mind they may or may not be published in a future issue of SBM. The publisher reserves the right to make the final decision.

Writing Opportunities

We are always willing to consider freelance writers and article ideas. Please send suggestions or inquiries to South Brunswick Magazine, Attn: Editor, PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451. Or email us at edit@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com.

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LifeinBrunswickCounty.com

Visit us online at the above website. With any additional questions, call us at (910) 207-0156.

Change is Constant

TThere is one thing we can guarantee here in Brunswick County: Change.

With all the land available and all the wonderful things our county has to offer, it was inevitable that our area would be discovered. And it most definitely will continue to draw new residents and inspire new development. From the potential new baseball stadium in Leland to continued development of neighborhoods and shopping centers, we can only expect more change and opportunities in the years to come.

Case in point, we have new things to tell you about in this issue. We have an article about Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge in Southport, a place that recently opened simply for the sake of having fun. This is Brunswick County’s first axe-throwing facility, and as you will see, it’s got a great vibe. For more fun and relaxation, we also tell you about Solar Brewing, Oak Island’s first craft brewery.

Speaking of people discovering Brunswick County, we introduce you to some people who have made their home here, including Chocolate and Caron Myers, two media personalities who have landed in and are loving Ocean Isle Beach. We also take you to meet Paul Steinke, a

glassblowing artist who moved from Florida to Sunset Beach.

If you love to eat, we fill you in on a couple of Calabash eateries full of local character, Milk & Honey Breakfast, Bar & More and Pigs Up in Smoke/Moka Café. And we have great food and drink recipes for you too.

I hope everyone enjoys the warm months ahead. As always, thank you for reading South Brunswick Magazine and please be sure to tell our advertisers you saw them here.

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher Publisher@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

We had the most wonderful experience with our Intracoastal Realty agent and would recommend her to anyone. As first-time home buyers in a tricky market, my husband and I needed someone patient, honest, and knowledgeable. Our agent checked every box, went above and beyond, and maintained thorough communication the whole time. She’s great at her job AND a genuinely lovely person.

~ Kellie D.

John L. Cardillo CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I am a former print reporter who covered both small town and capital city news before transitioning to public relations and marketing. I was a member of the marketing team that introduced the E-ZPass electronic toll collection system to the driving public. I retired from one of the world’s largest pension systems, where I was responsible for communications to nearly 500,000 members. My freelance work has appeared in various publications, and I am a frequent columnist for Southport’s State Port Pilot . My wife, Kim, and I moved to Southport full time in 2020 from Albany, New York, and enjoy the coastal Carolina life.

Leigh Roberts CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

I’ve been a professional photographer since 2014 when I began shooting weddings. Though the fascination of fine art developed many years prior; at that first wedding, I was hooked. But photography isn’t my only endeavor! From 2012 until 2019 I was in the world of fashion and experienced a dream job as a buyer for a local boutique. All the while, I built a career as an abstract artist, and opened two studios over the years, both as art galleries and photography studios. In addition, for nearly 15 years, I modeled. These are skills I carry with me and are essential in helping directing my clients now! I encourage movement over poses during photo sessions. Realness and vulnerability not only help create photos that my clients truly love but it also helps build better relationships with them. Outside of work, I am mom to wonderful three-year-old boy, I’m obsessed with fabulous food, and I tend to be quite the animal whisperer! View my work at LeighRobertsPhoto.com

Melissa Slaven Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I am freelance writer and live in Sunset Beach. I earned my BA in English from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and am currently pursuing my Masters in Liberal Studies from UNCW. I have worked as a freelance business writer, feature article author, nonfiction essayist, technical editor, entrepreneur and product and brand manager. My work has appeared in Our State magazine, and I am a regular contributor to local publications. In my spare time I enjoy water sports and coastal living with my husband, Bill, and 110 lb. rescue dog, aptly named Bear. Visit my website at melissaslavenwarren.com..

PHOTO BY KEVIN TITUS

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Now there are three convenient ways to request or self-schedule an appointment: visit EmergeOrtho.com , call 910-332-3800 , or text APPT to that same number.

Calabash Elks Donate to Food Bank

The Calabash Elks Lodge and its Ladies’ Auxiliary collected 635 pounds of groceries to donate to Brunswick Family Assistance to help those in need during the holidays. In addition, they donated $1,500 to aid local assistance programs.

BEMC Awards Its Bright Ideas Education Grants

Shallotte Elks Donate to Brunswick County Toy Run

Shallotte Elks Lodge #2854 donated $500 from its Gratitude Grant to the 10th annual Brunswick County Toy Run, which was held on December 10 at the Shallotte Walmart. Many volunteers, including the Shallotte Elks, assisted Jerome Munna, organizer of the event along with his dedicated crew. In all, the Toy Run allowed 267 children to spend $200, of which at least half had to go toward necessities and the rest toward toys.

BCAR Supports Communities in Schools in Honor of Volunteer of the Year Ginger Harper

The winner of the first-ever Brunswick County Association of Realtors (BCAR) Volunteer of the Year (VOTY) award was Ginger Harper of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage in Southport. Harper was nominated by her peers and recognized at the Harley Holiday Party, where she was presented with the VOTY plaque. As a reward, the Volunteer of the Year receives $500 to donate to a charity or organization of their choice. Harper chose to give her donation to Brunswick County Communities in Schools.

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation recently awarded $34,160 to 24 teachers in Brunswick and Columbus counties to fund creative, engaging projects for their students. The funds support projects that bring learning to life in reading, math and the sciences.

VFW Calabash Post #7288 Awards West Brunswick High School JROTC Scholarships

On December 7, members of the VFW Calabash Post #7288 were at West Brunswick High School to present awards to the winners of the VFW-sponsored Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Competition. The 2022-23 theme was “Why is the Veteran Important?” Remembering the sacrifices of veterans on Pearl Harbor Day made the event even more poignant. This year’s local winners, all members of the West Brunswick High School JROTC program, were: Ava Kesterson, Battalion Commander, First Place ($300); Hedan Bruce, Bravo Company, Second Place ($200); Athena Kelly, Bravo Company Commander, Third Place ($100) and Christian Hardy, Alpha Company 1st Sergeant, Honorable Mention ($50)

Brunswick Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation Ball Benefits Literacy Council and Samara’s Village

The Brunswick Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation, Inc. selected Brunswick County Literacy Council and Samara’s Village to be the two recipients of proceeds from its 11th annual charity ball, which was held on March 3. The event, themed Diamonds and Denim, featuring hors d’ oeuvres, a buffet dinner, wine, beer, music by Tru Sol Band, dancing and a silent and live auction at the St. James Community Center in Southport.

Brunswick Parks and Recreation Claims Tennis Award

Brunswick County’s Parks and Recreation Department recently received the United States Tennis Association North Carolina 2022 Outstanding Parks and Recreation Department award. The association honors the creation of outstanding tennis programs supported by local parks and recreation departments, and it is presented to the department that makes the greatest impact in its

community that year. Brunswick County Parks and Recreation organizes programs like the adaptive tennis program and Special Olympics team that provide inclusivity within the sport and community. During the past nine years, the parks and recreation department has renovated three major parks: Ocean Isle Beach Park, Town Creek Park and Smithville Park. The department currently maintains 28 tennis courts across seven facilities.

VFW Calabash Post #7288 Awards Patriot Pen Winners at Shallotte Middle School

Dosher’s Workplace Wellness Committee to give employees a designated space to exercise, enjoy the outdoors or unwind after their shift. The Wellness Committee, which was piloted with the support of the Dosher Wellness Coalition, was formed to impact employee well-being and to improve the overall health of Dosher staff members.

Pure Markets Donates to Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School for Clothes Closet

On December 15 Jim and Chris Wilson of Pure Markets presented a check in the amount $3,000 to Principal Alicia Williams to benefit the children who attend Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School. The money will be used for the school’s Clothes Closet, which is a resource of clothing, school necessities and food as needed. Pure Markets created the BeKIND Project with the goal of benefitting Brunswick County school children. Money is raised through lemonade sales at the OIB and Sunset Beach Summer Markets and the Giving Tree in which vendors participate during the OIB Black Friday Market and the Sunset Beach Holiday Market.

Coastal Consumer Showcase Held in St. James

VFW Calabash Post #7288 Auxiliary President Wayne Weszka and Vice President Cathy Milstead visited Shallotte Middle School on January 6 and were proud to present the Patriot Pen winners with certificates and scholarship checks. VFW Calabash Post #7288 is the local sponsor of the Veterans of Foreign Wars national Patriot Pen Scholarship Essay program and worked with Jennifer Cheers and Rebecca Moss, the teachers who presented this program to their students at Shallotte Middle School.

The awards were presented to three students: Ashlyn Childers, first place; Phoebe Cumbee, second place; and Kylee Burt, third place. Winners at the local level advance to the district level. The patriots Pen program is a youth scholarship essay contest open to students in grade 6 to 8. Each year, nearly 68,800 students nationwide enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!

Dosher Opens Employee Walking Trail

On December 1 Dosher Memorial Hospital celebrated the opening of its employee walking trail, a .25-mile marked course that begins and ends at the back entrance of the hospital. The walking trail was an initiative conceived by

The 2023 Coastal Consumer Showcase drew more than 400 people to St. James Community Center on February 9. Representatives from 56 local businesses were available to answer questions about the products and services they provide to the residents of the Southport-Oak Island area. Residents and visitors who attended the show were encouraged to register for a chance to win $200 in cash and numerous prizes in the Pick-A-Prize Auction. Barbara Nichols of Southport was the lucky winner of the $200 prize.

Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity Introduces New Board President

Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity is proud to announce that its new board president is Jason Gaver. Gaver is a husband, father, Christian and veteran who calls Brunswick County home after relocating from Washington, D.C., with his wife, Tiffany, a Winnabow native. He is a former small business owner in Brunswick County and has served in various leadership capacities at the national and local level. Gaver is a 2020 Leadership Brunswick County graduate, a former member of the Leland Area Rotary Club, past board member of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, a former Brunswick Community College Horticulture Program Advisory Board Member, a former Town of Leland Planning Board Member and the former Post Commander of Veterans of

Foreign Wars Post 12196 in Leland. Gaver has also served nationally as part of the Senior Leadership Team of Patrol Base Abbate, a national veteran nonprofit.

Dosher Honors Volunteer Organization’s $2.4 Million Contribution to Hospital

The Dosher Memorial Hospital Volunteers make a difference in the lives of patients and their families through donating their time to perform a number of administrative tasks along with managing the hospital gift shop and the Dosher Flea Market in downtown Southport. Recently, a plaque was installed at the Dosher Flea Market to commemorate the Volunteer Organization’s $2.4 million all-time financial contribution to the hospital, as of the end of 2021. The funds raised through the Dosher gift shop and the flea market are used to purchase equipment for the hospital to enhance patient care.

FOCUS Broadband’s Justin Parsons Honored with Patriot Award

Justin Parsons, director of operations services for FOCUS Broadband, was recently awarded the Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve’s (ESGR) prestigious Patriot Award for supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Force. The Patriot Award highlights the efforts made by a supervisor to support guard members or reservists through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence, if needed. ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.

Ingram Planetarium Upgrades to Digistar 7 System

When Ingram Planetarium reopened to the public on February 2, it featured a new Digistar 7 projection system. The Digistar 7 system provides better quality images, comes with a cloud library of content and can livestream visuals gathered from the International Space Station. The planetarium’s 360-degree immersive dome theater can now show real time images of the atmosphere, weather and galaxy — even black holes! The new system will also bring stunning new backdrops to the laser light shows. Digistar 7 offers a chance to take your stargazing experience to the next level. Show schedules are available

on the Planetarium’s website:museumplanetarium.org/ planetarium-events/. Whether you’re an amateur stargazer or an avid astronomer, the shows feature live and interactive content that allow you to learn about our universe in a fun and engaging way.

South Brunswick High School Student Delanie Jackson Honored with Kiwanis Award

Delanie Jackson, a 16-yearold junior at South Brunswick High School, was presented with the Kiwanis Award for Excellence in Community service by the Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island at a recent membership meeting. Jackson was recognized for her selfless concern for children, which began at an early age when she helped her mother distribute backpacks of food provided by local charity Matthew’s Ministry to elementary school children. Through the years, her compassion for youth continued to grow. She has worked with Brunswick Family Assistance to distribute household goods to those affected by Hurricane Florence. She also organized a book drive in 2020 to ensure that children confined to their homes during the peak of the COVID pandemic had Christmas presents. She collected more than 700 books that year and continued the program in 2021 and 2022, collecting another 550 each year.

Brunswick County Intercultural Festival Meets for Annual Potluck

Past, present and future volunteers of the Brunswick County Intercultural Festival (BCIF) gathered for their customary family potluck get-together on February 11 at the BEMC meeting room. It was a chance to renew friendships, catch up with each other and forge new friendships. There was a sharing of gastronomic treats from Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, Hawaii, Germany, the Middle East, India, exotic Persia, Native American cultures and the USA. Planning for a new festival was initiated. An invitation is extended for volunteers for the upcoming Brunswick County Intercultural Festival.

Where Farming is a Family Thing.

Strawberry season has arrived at Heritage Fresh Market in Supply!

We are excited about all the delicious ways to use our juicy, sweet strawberries in new recipes this spring. We believe that blending up a fresh Strawberry Smoothie is the finest way to start your day. And, our berries are always picked at peak ripeness! This key commitment guarantees a strawberry experience that is certain to put a big smile on your face!

HERITAGE FRESH STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup chopped strawberries

• 1 5.3-ounce container of Greek vanilla yogurt

• ½ cup almond milk

• 1 small banana

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy. Garnish with more fresh berries and crunchy granola.

We invite you to make Heritage Fresh Market part of your shopping routine. It’s so much more than a 9-to-5 for The Clemmons Family…it’s a commitment, a mission, a lifestyle. Our tagline says it all - Heritage Fresh Market: Where Farming is a Family Thing.

Dont’ forget...

Katie’s Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream and milkshakes this spring!

SPRING

HOURS:

pm

Master Gardeners of Brunswick County

2023 Plant Sales

Kiwanis Plant and Flower Sale

April 1

Get ready for spring planting by shopping at the Kiwanis 21st Annual Plant and Flower Sale scheduled for Saturday, April 1 from 10 am to 2 pm in the parking lot of the St. James Community Center. Many landscape bushes, perennials, annuals and herbs will be for sale, including the popular Encore Azaleas, which bloom twice a year. Pre-ordering (with delivery) is available by contacting Larry Trainor at ltrainor13@ yahoo.com or (443) 253-7145. Profits from the sale will support the many youth service programs that Kiwanis Club of SouthportOak Island oversees for the children of Brunswick County.

Information: soikiwanis.com

Rockin’ for HOPE

April 2

This year New Hope Clinic is celebrating its 25th anniversary of providing healthcare to neighbors in need. The celebrations kick off with the 11th annual Rockin’ for HOPE benefit concert on Sunday, April 2 from 5 to 8 pm the Woodlands Park Amphitheatre in St. James.

Information: newhopeclinicfree.org

Music on the Deck at Coastal Wine and Brew

Tuesdays starting April 4

Enjoy live music and beverages as Coastal Wine and Brew hosts local artists to play and sing on the deck or indoors from 5 to 8 pm every Tuesday. Most artists play a mixture of cover and original music.

Information: coastalwineroom.com/events

Southport Spring Festival

April 7 & 8

The Southport Spring Festival, featuring activities, music and food, will be held on April 7 from 10 am to 5 pm and April 8 from 10 am to 4 pm at Franklin Square Park, 130 E.West Street in Southport. A local tradition for more than 27 years, it is fun for all ages.

Information: southport-oakisland.com/event/ southport-spring-festival.html

OKI Beach Preservation Wine Tasting and Auction Fundraiser

April 8

Oak Island Beach Preservation Society, Inc is holding its 21st annual Wine Tasting and Auction Fundraiser at 801 Ocean Venue on

Saturday, April 8 from 2 to 5 pm. Enjoy wines and hors d’oeuvres from local vendors and bid on a variety of silent auction items.

Information: (910) 442-5546

North Carolina Azalea Festival

April 12 to 16

The North Carolina Azalea Festival, a longtime tradition in Wilmington and the largest festival of its kind in the state, will be held from April 12 to 16. This year’s event will feature street vendors, food trucks, parties, concerts, art contests, pageants, a parade, garden tours and much more.

Information: ncazaleafestival.org

Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Awards Gala

April 20

Each year Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce recognizes chamber member businesses that have put forth outstanding efforts in their business and the community. This is an excellent networking opportunity, and tickets are required.

Information: brunswickcountychamber. chambermaster.com/events/

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Coastal Garden Club Presents A Wedding Flower Show

April 21 & 22

Just in time for wedding season, Coastal Garden Club will present A Wedding, a National Garden Club Small-Standard Flower Show. The show will be April 21 from 1 to 5 pm and April 22 from 9 am to 1 pm at Shallotte Presbyterian Church, 5070 MH Rourk Drive in Shallotte. The Flower Show is free and open to the public. A Wedding Flower Show will showcase beautiful floral designs, artistic crafts, educational displays and horticulture from members’ gardens. There also will be a plant sale on Saturday.

Information: Email Sherry Jeffries, sjeffries15@gmail.com

Master Gardeners of Brunswick County 2023 Plant Sales

April 28, June 22

The Brunswick County Extension Master GardenersSM Volunteer Association (BCEMGVA) will hold two Plant Sales,

featuring different plants for each sale and offering a wide variety and the best selection for that season or theme.

On April 28 the Spring Plant Sale features a large selection of blooming shrubs, perennials and greenery that thrive in the southeast coastal North Carolina environment. This is their largest plant sale of the year with an emphasis on early blooming perennials, herbs, shrubs and many Master Gardener favorites.

In conjunction with National Pollinator Week and just in time for the monarchs, numerous butterflies and pollinators, the June 22 Pollinator/Native Plant Sale will feature milkweeds, summer blooming perennials and other critical pollinator beneficial plants celebrating the importance of pollinators in the food chain. This sale offers plants endorsed by Monarch Watch, the North Carolina Butterfly Highway and the North Carolina Native Plant Society as critical to sustaining our butterfly and pollinator habitat.

Information: bcmgva.org

Run Sunset Beach

April 29

The 10th annual Run Sunset Beach event starts in the waterfront park and goes around the entire island and mainland. The only 5K that goes over the Intracoastal Waterway, it promises an absolutely beautiful sunrise view. Big Medals, a fun after party and upgraded tech shirts make this a race that you do not want to miss.

Information: coastalraceproductions.com/race/ run-sunset-beach-2023

Southport Summer Market

Wednesdays May 3 to Aug 30

Southport Summer Markets begin Wednesday, May 3 at Franklin Square Park. Hours are 9 am to 2 pm. Come out to support local artists, businesses and crafters.

Information: southport-oakisland.com/event/ southport-summer-market.html

NORTH BRUNSWICK MAGAZINE

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR SISTER PUBLICATION

Pick up NBM at grocery stores in the Northern Brunswick County area. Or view stories online at LifeinBrunswickCounty.com/nbm |

BACK TO NATURE

Coming soon to Bolivia, In the Pines RV & Cabin Village is the culmination of a family’s rediscovery of the great outdoors.

By Annesophia Richards

Bryan Judge didn’t grow up in a camping family. In fact, his only childhood memory of camping was the one trip cut short when his parents changed their minds and packed back up before he or his siblings even got to spend the night.

A BITE OF BOOZE

Start your next party with an aperitif that packs a punch of sweetness and a nice little surprise.

By Sandi Grigg

Photography by James Stefiuk

I have the perfect little boozy and festive bite for your next get-together, and it’s served in a martini glass so you can eat your drink.

A far cry from my college days of soaking cherries in Everclear and choking down what felt like rubbing alcohol, these elegant sugared grapes are macerated in Prosecco and vodka overnight for a beautiful presentation and delicate bite of booze.

SOLUTIONS FOR SEA TURTLES

In an effort to help more endangered sea turtles survive, more than 200 people attended the inaugural N.C. Sea Turtle Symposium at UNCW in January.

By Ed Beckley

Imagine the positive impact on the world if you could bring together some of the brightest experts to share their best practices on how to save an endangered species. That was the brainstorm of Brunswick County’s Debra Allen more than a year ago.

SHARP SKILLS

Retired NYC Fireman Gerry Amitrano brings a muchneeded blade-sharpening service to Leland.

By Theresa Ravencraft

Gerry Amitrano retired from the New York City Fire Department after working as a firefighter for 23 years. In 2015 he moved to Compass Pointe in Leland, where he lives with his wife, Jeannie, and operates a small business, CP Knife Sharpening.

Amitrano grew up in Queens, New York. After high school, he knew he wanted to be a firefighter.

HOME AT LAST

by Kurt Epps, a.k.a. The PubScout

The PubScout has finally found a proper barber shop in the South. We transplants from the Northeast have a lot to like about Southeastern NC. The weather, the people, the relatively empty roads, the weather, the shrimp and grits, that Southern Hospitality (bless our hearts), the pristine beaches, the burgeoning number of breweries, the excellent restaurants, and did I mention the weather?

But there’s one thing we geezers from the Northeast might have trouble finding: an old school, throwback barber shop. You know, the kind you grew up in as a kid. Striped pole, a big American flag on a pole or on the wall, three or more big padded chairs, Americana bric-a-brac on the walls, maybe a stuffed animal head or two, and three or more old school barbers who know your name and your preferred cut.

SPRING FESTIVALS

by Theresa Ravencraft

Celebrate spring with art and music festivals in Southport and on Oak Island. You know spring is just around the corner when festivals begin popping up along the coast. Say goodbye to winter and grab a friend or two to take along to these celebrations this spring.

NEW NAME, NEW OWNER, SAME SERVICES

by Jo Ann Mathews

Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, formerly Sunset River Marketplace, held a grand re-opening ceremony with new owner Larry Johnson.

“I’ve been hunting for an art gallery and have amassed this ‘ridiculous’ collection of art that I wanted a home for,” said Larry Johnson, new owner of Sunset River Gallery in Calabash as he spread the giant scissors for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand re-opening of the gallery on January 12. Sunset River staff, Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce members and dozens of residents gathered for the event. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS

by Jo Ann Mathews

Former teacher Dawn Long-Miller buys Pelican Bookstore.

Kindergarten teacher, special education teacher, reading teacher and librarian. Admirable credentials for the owner of a bookstore. Enter Dawn Long-Miller of Shallotte. She bought Pelican Bookstore at Village Center in Sunset Beach on April 1, 2021, and subsequently retired from Brunswick County Schools, where she had been employed for 27 years, all at Union Elementary School in Shallotte.

| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |

LOCAL INK

by Jo Ann Mathews

Tattoos are as popular as ever, and Coup De Gras Tattoo & Body Piercings is the place to get them in Shallotte.

Bobbie Greene, 50, of Shallotte, Trey Skipper, 33, of Sunset Beach and Jazmn Dixon, 23, of Little River share a fascination along with 26 percent of the U.S. adult population: They have tattoos. Once disparaged by the middle and upper classes, tattoos are now considered works of art and accepted at all levels of society.

Taste of the Tropics

Surprise your family with a tasty tropical dinner served in a pineapple boat.

BY SANDI GRIGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

TThis Teriyaki Shrimp and Scallop Pineapple Boat is the perfect way to spice up your dinner routine. With juicy pieces of pineapple, crunchy vegetables and deliciously plump shrimp and scallops bathed in a sweet and tangy sauce and served up in a pineapple, it is a fun dinner that the everyone will love.

There is a local restaurant in Wilmington that my family frequents. It is a tropical-themed restaurant serving a little bit of everything, from steak and seafood to burgers and tacos. One item on the menu is teriyaki chicken in a pineapple bowl, and it is so good I get it almost every time. My two-and-halfyear-old son thinks the pineapple bowl is coolest thing and frankly so do I.

Like many nights before, I asked my son what he wanted for dinner. Expecting him to say, “hot ham and cheese” or “macaroni and hotdogs,” without hesitation he said he wanted me to make something in a pineapple. To the grocery store I went.

I picked up a pineapple and rice and, to make it my own, shrimp and scallops. I love the combination of shrimp and scallops and thought they would go well with pineapple. For a bit of color and crunch, I also scooped up bell peppers. Knowing I already had the components at home to make teriyaki sauce, I proceeded to the checkout.

I am not going to lie: Cutting the pineapple was a bit of trial and error. I obviously wanted to cut it in half lengthwise, but trying to core it presented a few problems. I had to slice a bit off the bottom to make it sit flat and keep it from rolling around. I made some long slits to scoop out the center while trying to leave enough of a parameter. I botched my son’s pineapple and cut right through the skin, but he didn’t care as long as it still held the mixture in the end. Be careful as cutting the pineapple takes a bit of man-handling; a sharp knife helps.

The sauce is simple to whip up. The vegetables add a bit of crunch to the silky texture of pineapple and delicate shrimp and scallops. All of this combined in a unique pineapple boat will make your dinner time fun and tropical. Needless to say, my son was enthusiastically impressed.

Teriyaki Shrimp and Scallop Pineapple Boat

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

1 whole pineapple

½ pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

½ pound fresh scallops, patted dry

1 red bell pepper, rough chopped

1 purple onion, rough chopped

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/3 cup soy sauce

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup honey

½ tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

3 cups basmati rice

METHOD

Cook 3 cups of basmati rice. When done, set aside to cool.

While the rice is cooking, in a small saucepan, add garlic, soy sauce, sugar, honey and cornstarch. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until it starts to thicken. Set aside.

Slice the pineapple vertically so you have two halves. Cut a thin slice off the round bottom so it sits flat on the table with the flesh up and stalk pointing out. Use a knife to cut the center pineapple out leaving

about ½” edge parameter. Once the outer rim is cut, use a knife to score rows and then use a spoon to remove the pineapple. Try to keep it as intact as possible and then cut it into chunks.

Heat the oil in a wok or deep skillet over high heat. When it begins to smoke, add the shrimp and scallops to the pan in a single layer and cook for 1 minute, turn once and cook another minute. The shrimp will turn pink, and the scallops will have a firm crusted exterior. Transfer to a clean plate.

Reduce the heat to mediumhigh and add the bell pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring. Don’t overcook; you want them to still have a crunch.

Add the shrimp, pineapple chunks and sauce (reserve a bit of sauce to drizzle on top) to the pan of vegetables. Toss to coat and combine for a minute or so.

Divide and fill your empty pineapple halves with the prepared rice and add the teriyaki shrimp and scallop vegetable mixture on top of the rice.

Drizzle each with the remaining sauce and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

StrawberryBasil Sparkler

Enjoy these bubbly, bright stars at your next ladies’ luncheon or weekend brunch with friends.

BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

SStrawberry season is in full swing, so it is the perfect time to showcase a cocktail that features this juicy red gem.

Sweet strawberry simple syrup is the foundation for this drink. It gets blended with Grand Marnier and Prosecco to make a delightful spring cocktail. Poured over muddled basil, it is refreshing and effervescent.

Easy to make, strawberry simple syrup requires only three ingredients — fresh or frozen strawberries along with sugar and water in equal amounts.

Grand Marnier is another key component. It’s an orange liqueur originally from France. Amber in color, it is a cognac that’s flavored with bitter orange. Grand Marnier can also be used to make Champagne punch, margaritas and sangria. With notes of orange and vanilla, it works well in fruity drinks.

Prosecco adds just the right amount of fizz and bubbly, fresh taste that everyone enjoys.

Prosecco is a sparkling wine that is primarily made in Italy, whereas champagne comes from the Champagne region of France.

Basil is the last component, which lends a nice herby balance to the sweetness of the drink. Both mint and basil are often paired with berries, like raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.

Garnish this cocktail with fresh strawberries and a basil leaf to signal to guests what flavors they will encounter when taking their first sip. This is a cocktail that could quickly become a spring favorite.

SPARKLING STRAWBERRY BASIL PROSECCO COCKTAIL

Makes 2 drinks

INGREDIENTS

4 fresh basil leaves

4 ounces strawberry simple syrup

3 ounces Grand Marnier

10 ounces Prosecco

Fresh strawberries and basil leaves for garnish

METHOD

Place a basil leaf in the bottom of two fluted glasses. Muddle the basil with the handle-end of a wooden spoon. Add 2 ounces of simple syrup and 1½ ounces of Grand Marnier to each glass. Fill glasses with Prosecco. Garnish with fresh strawberries and basil leaves, if desired.

STRAWBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP

Makes about 1½ cups

INGREDIENTS

1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)

1 cup sugar

METHOD

—

Dissolve the sugar in water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the strawberries.

Simmer on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes until the syrup is red and the berries are soft. Do not mash the berries or it will make your syrup clouded with seeds and bits of fruit.

Strain the berries from the syrup and reserve them for another use. Allow the syrup to cool before using in a drink. Refrigerate the syrup until ready to use.

Fitness for Everybody

GOING Fit, which brings group exercise to communities through Brunswick County, is celebrating its 10th anniversary of making local residents healthier and happier.

BY ASHLEY DANIELS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

Heather Wilson, founder of GOING Fit, is committed to helping people get healthy one community at a time throughout Brunswick County.

“The mission was always to reach people in their communities where they feel safe and offer effective, customized classes,” Wilson says. “We’re mobile. I don’t have a studio. I come to them, and I come to them meeting their needs.”

Those specific needs of residents, she goes on to explain, are met emotionally,

Top: Heather Wilson, founder of GOING Fit, and Haley Flores, GOING Fit office manager. Below: Instructor Liz Knapp leading a class at St. James Plantation.

physically and mentally in all the realms of their wellbeing.

GOING Fit, Wilson’s mobile group exercise company, has been doing just that for the past 10 years by providing exercise classes at more than 70 communities including St. James Plantation, Bluffs on The Cape Fear,

Magnolia Greens and Winding River as well as in New Hanover County and in eastern Pennsylvania. She began with a few classes and now offers more than 220 classes a week in two states.

“My number one goal has always been to get as many people in a community moving,” Wilson says.

“And, by the grace of God, we’re still going!”

Originally from Wisconsin, Wilson earned a degree in advertising in 1987. She began teaching fitness classes in 1997 after putting her career on hold when she became a mom of two.

“I loved it and went to many different places teaching, and then when it came time for me to get a full-time gig, I was like, ‘I can’t leave fitness,’” Wilson says. “I asked all of my instructors who I was working with at the time, ‘Hey, if I started my own company, would you work for me?’ And they said, ‘Yeah!’ So that’s how it really started.”

Wilson had lived in Wilmington from 2000 to 2007, moved to Pennsylvania, where she lived until 2013 and first started GOING Fit, and returned to live along the North Carolina coast that year.

“When I came back to this region, I thought, ‘I’ll start [GOING Fit] back up,” she says. “It took a little bit longer, but, once again, I went back to the gals that I had taught with before and they all came back to work for me because we were friends. And that’s the whole thing: When you work out together, you make the best friends! It’s way more than just exercising. It’s just as much social as it is physical. And it was for me, too.”

Serving mostly senior adult communities, along with rec centers countywide, GOING Fit has found such success over the past decade because of the residents’ built-in buddy system already in place in the neighborhoods and the extreme affordability. Wilson and her team of trained, insured and state-certified instructors offer hundreds of class options.

“The main reason that we’ve been able to go for over 10 years is because I have a great team,” Wilson says.

“They’re top-notch, they all have a lot of experience and they’re all professionals. But the number one thing is: We do not cancel. It’s important to show up for exercise! … So, even if there’s rain in the forecast and we have an outdoor water class scheduled, we want you to show up and we’ll do something else, like go indoors and offer you a seated yoga class or something.”

The GOING Fit exercise curriculum ranges from aquatic programs and water aerobics to yoga and everything in between, depending on each community’s wants and needs. GOING Fit has arthritis foundation classes, balance and core classes, cardio classes, seated classes, strength classes and more. Students can reserve their spot in class online.

“I act as a built-in group exercise director at each of our 70

communities, so I find out about their needs after I get a contract,” Wilson says, “and then I start to put together a group program based on those needs. I schedule month to month, always fine-tuning it and always updating it to make sure they have the best group exercise program.”

GOING Fit offers everything from personal training and group exercise to small group sessions and swim lessons. And everything they do brings the people of the community together.

“Group exercise meets all the needs of a human body, plus emotional and mental needs,” Wilson says. “I don’t want anyone to ever feel alone. And the human body is amazing at what it can do. You’ll see somebody who can barely walk, but you put them in the pool and train them in the pool, and

The GOING Fit curriculum ranges from aquatic programs to yoga and everything in between.

Heather Wilson leads an aquatics fitness class at Magnolia Greens.

they’re with their fellow neighbors having a great time and, within a summer, all of a sudden, their balance is better, they’ve lost weight and they can walk better now.”

Wilson loves her calling to change others’ lives through GOING Fit.

“It is my lot in life,” she says. “I did not grow up in a family that was focused on health for mind and body. Basically, whatever my community needs, we’re going to provide it.” 

Want to get fit?

For more information on GOING Fit, to book a class or to find out how you can establish a GOING Fit group exercise program in your community, visit goingfitexercise.com.

Breathing Life

Art into

Glassblower Paul Steinke of Leaning Glass Studios in Sunset Beach creates colorful handcrafted globes and more.

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

aul Steinke is an artist and the owner of Leaning Glass Studios in Sunset Beach. His passion for blowing glass and mixing vibrant colors drives him to create uniquely beautiful works of art.

Steinke specializes in making floats and ornaments with distinctive color patterns.

“It’s the color for me,” he says. “That’s what sets me apart from other artists. My colors are just better.”

In the early 1900s, fishermen would attach hollow glass globes, or floats, to the corners of their nets while fishing. The floats would occasionally break loose and float ashore. Collecting these prized globes became a hobby for beachgoers in the 1950s.

Steinke’s life and work has always been inspired by and tied to the ocean. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and his first job at the age

Our family

of 18 was teaching scuba diving to tourists. This eventually led him to deep-sea diving and spear-fishing.

Steinke fished for grouper and amberjack along the coast from Florida to North Carolina, selling his catch to local restaurants.

“We would go 40 miles off shore from St. Augustine and dive for fish,” Steinke says. “Spear fishing is very selective. You see a fish, and that’s the one you get.”

He dedicated many years to fishing, until he had an encounter with sand tiger sharks.

“I knew it was time to stop,” Steinke says. “I was near the 18 Fathom Wreck off the coast of Southport, North Carolina, about 120 feet down and could see the sharks coming up from the bottom toward me.”

He escaped the incident, but realized that spear fishing had become too risky to continue.

Steinke moved to Sunset Beach because of his love for the people and the area, but it was during a trip to the Cayman Islands that he was inspired by glass he saw in a local shop.

“The colors were beautiful,” he recalls. “I just knew I had to have some.” He returned home and purchased the equipment needed to melt, shape and blow the glass.

“I had some experience with making stained glass early on, but I have no formal training on blowing glass,” Steinke says. “I make what I like and I keep it simple. It’s not fun if it gets too complicated.”

The process of blowing glass begins with a “gather,” collecting a bit of hot glass on the end of a long pole. “The temperature of the glass is about 2,100 degrees when I begin,” says Steinke as he betsy@braddockbuilt.com

Steinke at work in his Sunset Beach studio. When he begins the glass-blowing process, the temperature of the glass is about 2,100 degrees.

“I make what I like and I keep it simple. It’s not fun if it gets too complicated.”

puts on special glasses to protect his eyes from the heat.

He moves about his rustic studio with precision. Like dancing, every move in creating his art is calculated.

“Everything is intentional. Everything is a series of steps and has to be done just right,” he says.

After the glass comes out of the furnace, he dips it into a mix of tiny pieces of colored glass, which fuses it to the main globe. Moving methodically, he heats the glass again in the glory hole and begins to shape it.

Shaping the glass is an important part of the process.

“Hot glass is always moving, making it lean one way or another, it can be difficult to handle,” he says. This is where the name for his studio comes from, Leaning Glass Studios. After being shaped and blown to the right size, the glass cools slightly

and takes on the intended color pattern. The final step is gently removing it from the pole, adding a loop to the top or a glass foot on the bottom for it to rest on. Sometimes an identifying stamp is applied.

The finished floats and ornaments are carefully placed on racks in a large annealer at 900 degrees. The

lid is sealed, and the annealer gradually reduces the heat of the globes over a 24-hour period until they are completely cool. This process is necessary to prevent the globes from cracking.

Steinke makes a variety of colorful pieces. His collection includes vessels of all shapes, colors and sizes. He has created elegant bowls with a ribbony edge and artistic pieces intended to be hung on the wall for decorative design purposes. But his primary focus is globes, floats and ornaments that reflect his unique color combinations.

Steinke was selected as one of the artists to design and create floats for the Jekyll Island Treasure Hunt. The glass floats are part of a hide-and-seek adventure for visitors to the state park. Volunteers hide clear plastic globes with a note inside that reads “Congratulations! You have found an island treasure.”

When found, the globes can be exchanged for a beautiful, handcrafted glass float created by an artist from around the country. The bottom of each float is stamped with the location and the year. Many visitors to the island return each year in January and February for a chance to find one of these prized floats.

In 2022 the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization worked with Steinke on their new fundraiser, Lucy’s Treasure Hunt. Similar to the Jekyll Island project, floats were hidden on the island of Ocean Isle Beach for lucky visitors to find.

Lucy’s Treasure Hunt was designed to raise awareness for the protection of sea turtles.

“Each float I made for the project is special because it has a bit of sand from Ocean Isle Beach in the glass. That makes it a memorable souvenir,” Steinke says.

You can find Paul Steinke and his glass art at a limited number of art and craft shows this spring along the coast. He has also handcrafted ornaments that are available at Surf Unlimited on Ocean Isle Beach.

Steinke is grateful for the continued interest in his colorful creations.

“I enjoy what I do and I can make art right from my own backyard,” he says.

What could be better than that? 

Want

Visit leaningglass.com

Want to buy an ornament?

Visit Surf Unlimited at 17 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach

Brewing at the Beach

Solar Brewing Company brings the craft brewery experience to Oak Island.

BY JOHN L. CARDILLO PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEIGH ROBERTS

SSand, sunshine and Shibumi shades line the 10 miles of pristine Oak Island beaches for a good portion of the year, and the seaside town is filled with excellent restaurants, eclectic shops and all the amenities anyone could need to live their best lives. Except one.

Michael Bartlett felt something was missing and made it his mission to fill the void. With the Halloween 2022 opening of Solar Brewing Company, located at 8108 E. Oak Island Drive, the island now has its first true brewpub.

Owner and Head Brewer Bartlett and his team are looking to ferment a long-term relationship with the island’s nearly 10,000 full-time residents as well as tap into the more than 40,000 people who vacation in Oak Island each year.

“We wanted to open after the peak vacation season so the locals would know we’re here for them,” Bartlett says. “We are locals ourselves and consider this a community brewery. We want people to think of us as a communal meeting place.”

The name Solar Brewing is in part a nod to the sense of community Bartlett and former Director of Operations Josh Edwards wished to create. The sun, Bartlett explains, is something we all share and all need. “Everything grows under the sun, including relationships,” Bartlett says. “We want to foster cultural inclusivity.”

Bartlett adds that the name also stems from the fact that when he first conceived the idea of the brewery, he planned to power it with solar panels. The expense proved too great, but he hopes the establishment will be solar powered down the road.

The brewpub opened with 16 taps, half of which flowed with craft IPAs, stouts and other varieties made on site. Within six months of opening Bartlett, affectionately known as Mike the Brewer, had a dozen of his creations on tap, along with two house-made craft sodas. More taps will be phased in over time. The state-of-the-art facility has a 70-person

seating capacity and, in addition to beer, offers prosecco, wine, pizza and other pub fare.

Bartlett’s passion for combining water, malt, hops and yeast dates to 1988, when he began home brewing. He eventually went to trade school and received a brewing and distillation technology certificate in 2019. He’s also received guidance from the proprietors of the former Check Six Brewing Co. of Southport, from whom he purchased the brewing equipment now housed at Solar Brewing.

“Once I made the decision to lock this in as my career, I knew I wanted to try a brewpub in my hometown,” Bartlett says. “There was a pent-up demand and a need for one, and this was an opportunity to share my passion with the people of my community.”

According to the Brewers Association, an organization representing a wide variety of individuals associated with the fermented beverage, craft beer sales account for just under 27% of the $100 billion U.S. beer market. Small and independent brewers comprise almost 15% of the U.S. beer market by volume.

As of 2021, there were 364 craft breweries in North Carolina creating more than 955,000 barrels of craft beer annually, according to the association. Both figures place North Carolina in the top 10 nationally.

Assistant Brewer Anthony Pietrucci (left) and Head Brewer Mike Bartlett in the brewery.

Assistant Brewer Anthony Pietrucci (left) and Head Brewer Mike Bartlett in the brewery.

Head Brewer Michael Bartlett, in red, pictured with Assistant Brewer Anthony Pietrucci, has recently brewed a Solar favorite, Bald Head Brown Ale, a hop-forward American Brown, as well as a tasty Raspberry Wheat Saison.

In addition to Solar Brewing, Oak Island has two other brewing establishments. Another Oak Island establishment serving North Carolina brewed beer is Lonerider, which opened on the west end of the island in mid-2022. It’s technically not a brewpub, however, as the Lonerider beers it serves are brewed in Raleigh. Carolina Crab Brewing Company, slated to open later this year on the mainland side of Oak Island, will serve beer brewed on-site. Its brewmaster, Justin Maggard, was the former brewer at the Check Six Brewery.

Bartlett welcomes these new taverns.

“We don’t consider them competition because the more the merrier,” he says. “The more of us there are, the better it is for residents and visitors, and the greater the boost to the local economy.”

He does, however, want Solar Brewing to “set the benchmark on Oak Island,” and much time and effort has gone into ensuring this will be the case. He offers as an example an online ordering system that allows patrons to place orders up to two weeks ahead of time.

To date, Solar’s bestseller has been its Sunset Irish Amber, a medium-body brew with a citrus and black pepper aroma and a spicy caramel finish. “That’s the one we would take to a competition,” Bartlett says.

Additional beers are in the works. A vibrant golden lager known as Munich Helles was close to debuting as of this writing, as was a Marzen and a Bald Head Brown. A wheat beer will be added as the weather warms, and Bartlett is also considering a Flanders Red, a sour Belgian-style ale.

Bartlett doesn’t want the beers to completely overshadow the craft sodas he also brews. He’s proud of them and believes they are an important part of the menu for families. He wants to be sure

those not old enough to drink can enjoy Solar’s offerings as much as their elders.

“It’s a piece of my artistry just for them,” Bartlett says.

If you want to try a locally brewed beer or soda and enjoy a tasty meal or snack on Oak Island, check out Solar Brewing. 

Want to go?

Solar Brewing Company

8108 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island (910) 408-2579

solarbrewingcompany.com

facebook.com/solarbrewing

A Bipostal Mailboxing Adventure

An unforgettable pilgrimage to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island inspires a replica on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

BY DENISE STOUGHTON

IIn the spirit of ideating words like “mailboxing,” I’ve come up with “bipostal” to frame my dual West Coast and East Coast mailboxing activities this winter. From Bainbridge Island to Bird Island, a pilgrimage to the storied Kindred Spirit mailbox was my first stop along the coast of North Carolina. The mailbox is famous for its enduring legacy of human connection through the unwavering stream of heartfelt journal entries, which visitors can “post” into the mailbox.

Every journey to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox is as unique as the myriad reasons for visiting. My reasons were both simple and complex. I wanted to say hello and I wanted to be transformed — a tall order for a metal box and a heft of driftwood.

As Anne says in Anne of Green Gables , “Kindred spirits are not as scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”

My sojourn was shared with a friend who is local to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. Debra McClendon and I were close co-workers who hadn’t seen each other in 10 years, and suddenly here we were, two gals on an amazingly sunny January day along a wide expanse of beach on Bird Island, south of Sunset Beach, witness to and participants in the phenomenon that is the Kindred Spirit.

Several nondescript-looking notebooks were crammed into the mailbox. I selected one, trying not to fuss too much over exactly which one. I’d trusted that when this moment came to pass, I’d know precisely what to write, that something truly awe inspiring and insightful would pop into my head, that people would read my entry years from now and weep. My pen hovered over the page for

what seemed an eternity. Nothing. Another eternity, again nothing. Feeling unprepared and somewhat ridiculous (akin to an awkward first date), I mundanely told the Kindred Spirit what had brought me to it and some nonsense about my hope for a Kindred Spirit back home on Bainbridge Island, and then I blurted out, “I love you Kindred Spirit!”

With that embarrassment, I looked up from the notebook and scanned the indigo seam where sky and sea meet and caught a glimpse of the young woman on the adjacent bench who was fervently writing in a journal, unselfconscious tears cascading onto her page. In that moment, having witnessed the power, fragility and beauty of both the natural and human condition, I forgot my perceived shortcomings and emerged feeling extraordinary. For what it was worth, I’d added my voice to the potpourri of voices emanating from the mailbox, each distinctly different yet collectively cohesive — recognizable as human.

What could be more life affirming than the world being united in honoring our imperfect, awkward humanness?

Visiting the Kindred Spirit Journal Archives

Some of the Kindred Spirit mailbox journals are archived at Randall Library at UNC Wilmington. Debra also joined me in the special collections archive to peruse the archived journals. They revealed the full breadth of the stories entrusted to the mailbox starting with the year 2012.

“My name is Elliot Hobbs. I don’t know if anyone will ever read this but it’s great just to put my name in here. Crazy to say

we just survived a worldwide pandemic.”

“It feels great to be connected to so many kindred spirits during the loneliness of the pandemic.” – Carly Kildyard, Phoenix, AZ

“Ha! I knew this mailbox was real. It is a bet won.”

“I’ve seen struggle and hard times. I’ve been in abusive relationships and I’ve had to start over from nothing. So, I know I have more than I deserve in this life to be thankful for.”

“Be kind, do all thinks in love, help a stranger. Wave. It’s the little things in life that lead to the big things.”

“Dear Kindred Spirit, as two teenage kids this seems odd to do, but hey life itself is odd. To any parents, please keep your kids’ mental health in check, life can be tough as a kid with things changing all the time. In my short 17 years on the earth, I have learned one most valuable lesson, friends and family are forever.”

“If anyone is reading this: you are loved, you are appreciated.

“Until next time, I hope you all get to know the kindred spirit in everyone you meet.”

Kindred Spirit Origins

I also had a delightful visit with former Kindred Spirit “secret helper,” author, speaker and new kindred friend, Jacqueline “Jack” DeGroot. She brought forth a wealth of insight not only about her relationship to the mailbox but to the couple who started the Kindred Spirit, Claudia Sailor and Frank Nesmith.

The story of the Kindred Spirit is a romance between Sailor, the woman who came up with the idea for the mailbox, and Nesmith the man she

I’d trusted that when this moment came to pass, I’d know precisely what to write, that something truly awe inspiring and insightful would pop into my head, that people would read my entry years from now and weep. My pen hovered over the page for what seemed an eternity. Nothing.

Author Denise Stoughton and Debra McClendon pause for a photo on their journey to the Kindred Spirit.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

met while on the little spit of sand where she first erected the Kindred Spirit. Together they set up mailbox and maintained it in secret.

While much has been written about Nesmith, Sailor was more mysterious. I find myself drawn to this woman whose wish it was to connect kindred spirits, who packed her little rowboat named Moses with a plain mailbox, a driftwood post and stamped envelopes with her P.O. Box address as the destination to provide anyone who reached the mailbox with a way to share their thoughts.

Over time, Sailor’s walks to the mailbox became increasingly difficult. Before she passed away in 2013, she contacted DeGroot because of her ties to the mailbox — DeGroot featured it in her novel, The Secret of the Kindred Spirit. They communicated by email for years, and Sailor asked DeGroot to help replace the notebooks from time to time. DeGroot recruited a team of volunteers who help watch over the mailbox, do repairs and replace the notebooks. DeGroot’s book, The Beach Boys of Sunset Beach , was also inspired in part by the Kindred Spirit Mailbox.

During our visit to her home, she led us

upstairs to her inner sanctum where she writes. She shared one of the last few emails she received from Sailor dated July 21, 2012. In the email, Sailor is 73 and not in good health. She talks of a recent knee injury causing her pain. “There are times when ALL I want is to be wrapped in the old army blanket I kept near the mailbox on a chilly day/night lying on the Kindred Spirit bench watching my campfire knowing Moses is bobbing patiently at the edge of the marsh behind Bird Island waiting for me to return to him. This is one of those times.”

DeGroot finds another email from Sailor: “Being a mere human, I have not figured out from one day or month or year to the next where the Kindred Spirit Mailbox is heading. I’m still like you, just one of

At left, Denise Stoughton, Jacqueline DeGroot and Debra MClendon. Above, entries from the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

the adventurers, but I do just instinctively know the journals are meant to be kept together.”

Despite the widely accepted assumption that the journals are all together at UNCW, they are not. Prior to 2009ish, Nesmith and DeGroot collected the journals from the mailbox (as Nesmith became older, by DeGroot alone) and then Nesmith would mail them to Sailor. DeGroot estimates that Sailor had about four wardrobe-sized boxes full of journals at her home in Hope Mills at the time of her death, but their location is presently unknown. Sometime after 2009 the journals were sent directly to UNCW collection, and that practice continues.

A West Coast Kindred Spirit

At home where I live on Bainbridge Island, I am working on a book tentatively titled The Fabulous Mailboxes of Bainbridge Island , and I began to think of setting up a mailbox similar to the Kindred Spirit here. This is a project of love, connection and the environment. How wonderful it would be to come upon a contemplative place to read others’ stories and share our own hopes, dreams and thoughts. It would be a privilege to provide a home, and mailbox, to such a space.

I know in my heart that Bainbridge would embrace an idea like this and it seemed to me having a Kindred Spirit on both coasts is balanced — a perfect symmetry of kindred spirits. Our local parks and recreational has agreed that it is a good idea, and the Historical Museum of Bainbridge Island has offered to archive any journals from the Bainbridge Island Kindred. An island native and metal artist has offered to create a unique post for our mailbox. If you’d like to keep up with my project and hopes of creating a West Coast Kindred Spirit mailbox, follow me at facebook. com/group/uniquelybainbridgemailboxes or go to uniquelybainbridge.com. 

Want to experience the Kindred Spirit yourself?

Kindred Spirit Mailbox

To walk or bike to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island, start at the public beach access on W. 40th Street on Sunset Beach. Take the access to the beach and head southwest (away from the pier). It’s about 1.5 miles from the 40th Street access. If you reach the jetty, you’ve gone too far.

THE COUPLE DOOR Next

Famed NASCAR personality

Chocolate Myers and television, radio and print journalist Caron Myers enjoy the simple life in Ocean Isle Beach.

STORY

The isolation demanded by the pandemic in 2020 prompted Caron and Danny “Chocolate” Myers to consider where they wanted to spend their retirement years. They had enjoyed celebrity status for decades, Chocolate through NASCAR and Caron as a singer and television reporter, but the couple wanted a quieter, more subdued lifestyle.

“We came down here [to Brunswick County from Lexington] and weren’t sure what to do,” Chocolate says. As he speaks, he goes from relaxing in his recliner to sitting up and leaning forward to express a point, his face serious. Caron, whose smile and demeanor reflect her careers, inserts remarks and comments to expand the subject.

“Chocolate has a history in this area from his childhood,” Caron says and explains that Chocolate’s parents, Bobby and Lorene Myers, were

& PHOTOGRAPHY BY JO ANN MATHEWS

frequent visitors to Holden Beach and Shallotte from Winston-Salem.

Chocolate is the son of famed NASCAR driver Bobby Myers, who died in the Southern 500 race in 1957 at Darlington Speedway in Darlington, South Carolina, when Chocolate was 8 years old. Less than a year later Chocolate’s uncle, Billy Myers, died of a heart attack while racing at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem.

Chocolate, the nickname that stuck after a Pop Warner football coach called him that because of the dark tone of his skin, is a NASCAR celebrity as well. At 6 feet, 4 inches, Chocolate developed proficiency carrying 100-gallon gas cans on his shoulder and filling race car tanks in seconds. The talent earned him the title of “gas man” on The Flying Aces crew for Dale Earnhardt, a team owned by Richard Childress Racing. Chocolate retired as gas man in 2002 and took the reins as curator of the Richard Childress Racing Museum in Welcome, North Carolina. In 2007 he became commentator along with John Roberts on Tradin’ Paint on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

“He’s perfect for it,” Caron says. “As many stories as he has, he’s the Garrison Keillor of NASCAR.”

Caron, a Florida native, is a television, radio and print journalist who covered hundreds of stories throughout

In their Ocean Isle Beach home, Chocolate and Caron Myers have many years worth of trophies and relics from stock car racing. Inset: Chocolate’s father and uncle, NASCAR racers Bobby and Bill Myers.

Florida before she and Chocolate moved to Lexington, where she continued her career. After back surgery in 2017, she relinquished television and switched to Winston-Salem’s radio station WTOB 980am, where she not only reports the news but also continues to write as a freelancer. Both Caron and Chocolate are live on radio from their home in Ocean Isle Beach.

“I’m just a regular guy,” Chocolate says. “I’m the

guy next door. I don’t want to be treated special. I just want to be a good person.”

He recounts how a store cashier in Lexington said she couldn’t believe he buys his own groceries. Caron told her, “When he gets home, he’s going to empty his own trash.”

Bobby Williamson, owner of Bobby’s Auto Parts in Shallotte, recognized Chocolate when he came to the shop. “He is just very, very down to earth,” Williamson says. “He’s a regular guy.”

The couple wanted to find a suitable house for their family that includes 5-year-old Duke, their 115-pound standard poodle/Maremma Italian sheepdog mix. After several discouraging trips to the area, the pair was intrigued by a

‘THE TALENT EARNED HIM THE TITLE OF “GAS MAN” ON THE FLYING ACES CREW FOR DALE EARNHARDT...’

fixer upper.

“His parents used to come to this area in the 40s and 50s, right here, like right down the street,” Caron says.

Since Chocolate has handyman skills and Caron is a proficient interior designer, they tackled the challenge and have remodeled the home to their specifications.

Although they’ve been together for 38 years, when they first crossed paths in Daytona Beach, Caron wanted to keep her distance.

“When we first met, Caron didn’t like me,” Chocolate says.

Caron confirms the fact and says he drank too much for her taste. “Besides, he didn’t have a stellar reputation,” she adds. “He was a biker boy. He was tough.”

But when Chocolate asked her to a

“She had a skirt on,” he says. Caron nods. “It wasn’t easy getting on the cycle.”

The third night Chocolate invited her to a party. “The problem was he had another date that night,” Caron says, but she told him, “Fine. We’re friends. We’re not dating.” By the time the other woman showed up, Chocolate “had way too much Jack Daniels,” Caron says. “He told the other girl she needed to leave because he loved me and was going to marry me.”

Caron was kind but firm. She told Chocolate his lifestyle didn’t fit hers.

their home workstations.

He asked what he could do. “I don’t drink like that, and I’m not going to put up with it,” she told him.

He responded with, “That’s the last drink I’ll ever have.”

“And it was,” they say in unison.

“I think we were both in a place in our lives that we needed each other,” Chocolate says.

cook-out at Richard Childress’ home in a gated community, she accepted because Chocolate added, “[John] Travolta lives there.”

She never met Travolta at the cook-out but accepted Chocolate’s invitation to dinner the next night.

He came to her place on a motorcycle.

“We had both been married before,” Caron adds. “We both had our hearts broken before.” She pauses. “Chocolate brings joy to my life. He finds the lighter side of life while I find the more serious side.”

Chocolate and Caron admit they have had exceptional life experiences. Chocolate continues to be a member of

Caron and Chocolate in

Want to hear the Myers on the air?

You can hear Caron Myers on WTOB 980 Radio Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 am.

You can hear Chocolate Myers on Sirius NASCAR Radio, Channel 90, Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 pm.

the NASCAR elite.

Caron was instrumental, with the assistance of Representative C.W. “Bill” Young of Florida, in getting the National Bone Marrow Registry Reauthorization Act of 1998 passed. That started in 1986 when her daughter Brandy was sick with leukemia. Young was a personal friend and asked how he could help Brandy. “I told him she needed a bone marrow transplant, but had no match,” Caron says. “And there was not a registry or clearinghouse. So, he had me go to Washington and give my testimony and tell my story, Brandy’s story. I met the movers and shakers and in no time, money that was appropriated to the Navy for nuclear reactors onboard ships in case they had a crisis and needed a bone marrow registry, that money was reappropriated to something called Lifesavers, which eventually became BeTheMatch. The Bill Young reauthorization Act is all part of this. It reauthorizes every so often in Congress.” Sadly, Brandy died in 1987, before that bill passed, and would have lived if a

bone marrow transplant had been available. Today Caron is on the national board of bethematch.com, which assists people with information and helps find a bone marrow match. She is the author of Captain Steven: The Little Pirate who fought the Big “C” to Rule the Big Sea about a boy who is diagnosed with cancer.

The couple have a daughter, Alexi, who recently moved to Pender County with her husband, Seth Miller, and their two children, Greyson, 3, and Tatum, five months.

In his spare time, Chocolate says, “I’m kind of a country cook. My latest thing is making cakes.”

Caron, an accomplished musician, is learning to play the violin. They are pleased with their new residence and happy they moved to Brunswick County.

“We have so many wonderful friends here,” Caron says. “It’s become home.”

“It seems like every week we find another reason we should be here,” Chocolate says. 

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WE’VE MOVED

RIGHT ON TARGET RIGHT ON TARGET

Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge hits the spot as a fun place to play and hang out in Southport.

BY CAROLYN BOWERS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEIGH ROBERTS

She may not look anything like Paul Bunyan, but Bobbie Reiss can still hurl an axe toward a wooden target and hit the bullseye from 12 feet away. She learned how to do that from Kevin and Briton Hollister, owners of Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge, the new axe throwing business on Howe Street in Southport. They opened on November 4, 2022.

Reiss and members of her Red Hat Society from St. James were Throw Baxe’s very first customers, and they loved it. Part of the appeal for them and for other individuals and groups is that Kevin is a wonderful instructor for both first-time throwers and seasoned players who want to further hone their skills. He emphasizes safety above all else and watches every throw to make sure all safety protocols are being followed.

“We have certified axe throwing coaches; we call them ‘axeperts,’” Kevin says.

Clearly their attention to safety has paid off; they have had no injuries since they opened last July.

Kevin insists that anyone can throw an axe. His

Briton Hollister owns Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge in Southport with her husband, Kevin.

WANT TO GO?

Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge

806 N. Howe Street, Southport (910) 363-4286

throwbaxe.com

Open seven days a week from 11 am to 11 pm

Reservations may be made ahead of time by calling, but walk-ins are welcome as well.

Cost is $25 per hour or $18 for a half hour. The Early Bird special is 20% off the regular price, and is available from 11 am to 4 pm. For weekly and daily specials check out their website.

youngest customer was five and a half years old. Her mother explained her daughter’s enthusiasm by telling him “She’s in the Viking phase.” And then there was the birthday party for a 76-year-old woman given by her neighbors.

The building can accommodate about 35 people. There are eight axe throwing lanes, four on each side of the of the room. The targets are made of a soft wood and are 48 inches square. The target looks like a very large dart board with a bullseye and five concentric circles. The bullseye is about the size of a soda bottle cap. There are different throwing techniques; some people throw two-handed, and others use only one. Throw Baxe is registered with the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) and holds league competitions every Tuesday evening.

“This is a great place for parties, celebrations, corporate team building exercises and groups that are just looking for something different to do,” Briton says.

Both the axe throwing room and the board game lounge are brightly lit with bold paintings that give each of them a definite party atmosphere with a retro look. The Hollisters emphasize that their business is much more than just axe throwing. They have a board game room with a wall full of both new and vintage board games and puzzles and a well-stocked bar with beer and wine as well as non-alcoholic beverages. They don’t serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own. As Kevin put it, “We want to be the place in Southport to just hang out and have a good time.”

Destination: BBQ

Pigs Up in Smoke/Moka Café in Calabash is Brunswick County’s destination for Lexington-style barbecue.

BY JOAN LEOTTA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TARA ROBERTS

While driving down Hickman Road, just at the Indigo Farms Market, you may have seen a human-sized pink pig hopping about and waving at cars. Do slow down a bit if traffic allows, honk a greeting (Greg Rollo, the man under the pig head, counts them, once marking 1,400 in a day) and be sure to let the seductive aroma of pork waft into your car from the old black smoker next to the driveway.

If you are the least bit hungry, you need to signal a turn, park and take the steps into the country cafe that is the home of Pigs Up in Smoke/Moka Café.

The restaurant has two names for a reason. At around

the same time the morning and lunch eatery called Moka Café on Hickman Road was closing, Rich and Brenda Turner were looking for a place to serve up Lexington, NC–style barbecue in Brunswick County. Rich felt it was his mission to apply his 25 years of barbecue cookery to this restaurant. He and Brenda had been serving these delights — ribs, pulled pork, red and vinegar sauces, red slaw and banana pudding — to friends and family during their years in Brunswick County, and both felt it was time for a place to serve customers.

“We heard about this spot’s availability from a friend at

church,” Rich says. “We came over and looked at it and really liked the country-style décor and rustic atmosphere of the place.”

They opened in late 2019, keeping the old name, an old Moka Café sign and some of the favorites from the menu for the longtime customers while adding their new name, their barbecue and a roadside smoker that entices customers with the delicious aroma its smoke sends out over Hickman Road. During the pandemic, they served clients take-out through a small window on the side of the building. Now customers can eat in or take out.

“In a short time, we realized people wanted barbecue most of all,” Rich says.

The restaurant still offers a late breakfast/brunch (opening at 10 am with Southern specialties like biscuits and gravy, eggs, chipped beef and more, hamburgers, chicken, egg salad sandwiches and homemade Brunswick stew. Side dishes include fried okra, slaw and more. However, Lexington-style barbecue (the ribs and sauce) reigns supreme.

Pulled pork, available as a plate or sandwich with Lexington red sauce or vinegarbased sauce, is served along with red slaw, a Lexington specialty in which apple cider and hot sauce give the cabbage a bit of twang. All of these items are available for eat-in and take out in individual plate and familysized containers. They also sell their famous sauce, both the red and the vinegar, in Mason jars.

If your sweet tooth needs satisfaction, the restaurant still makes the Moka Cafe pies that local residents have known for years and still scoops ice cream. The Turners have added Brenda’s scrumptious banana pudding, a

Getting hungry?

Pigs Up in Smoke/Moka Cafe 1542 Hickman Road, Calabash (910) 287-6652

facebook.com/mokaCafénc

Check the Facebook page for upcoming news and for updates on the location of the restaurant’s food truck.

favorite that often sells out. Indigo Farms apple cider is their secret ingredient to making absolutely delicious apple cider donuts.

Pigs Up in Smoke has a steady flow of customers all day long. For example, recently I visited at around three in the afternoon, and there were two couples and a family of four enjoying barbecue. One of the couples

sauce were “tasty and meaty.”

The Turners are committed to serving the best food using local ingredients (many from Indigo Farms) and to having the restaurant serve community groups, especially first responders and nonprofits.

was Stacie Colwell and Terry Bellamy, who sampled the pulled pork and the banana pudding and declared them to be delicious. The pair then ordered ribs and more pudding to take home. The next day, I saw Stacie by chance and she pronounced the ribs, “Meaty and delicious too.”

I took pulled pork, ribs and some Lexington sauce home with me, along with an apple cider donut. The pulled pork was sweet, tender and moist. My husband thought the ribs and the red

Pigs Up in Smoke reaches people primarily through word of mouth and by its work in the community. And customers do pass the word. Yelp ratings consistently praise the place.

The Turners also have a food truck to sell food at events, which increases their reach beyond Hickman Road and also offers more opportunities for people to be delighted by their food.

The next time you are headed in the direction of Hickman Road, be prepared to wave and honk at the pig and do your taste buds a favor by stopping in for some delectable barbecue. 

Pedal Pushers

A group of women in South Brunswick County are redefining the typical biker gang.

BY ED BECKLEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

Cindy Lauper sings it loud: Oh, girls just wanna have fun!

But when the girls move here from faraway places during a worldwide pandemic and mandated social distancing — missing family and old friends and not being able to get out to make new ones — well, that ain’t fun.

Now that the Corona bug and variants seem to be subsiding, 19 Ocean Isle Beach women who used to be girls decided they’re over the cloistered life. They’ve banded together for “all they really want” — and that’s a whole lot of FUN together.

It begins in a typical subdivision behind Lowes

supermarket, with a leader, a bicycle and a love for coffee, then takes to the roads from there. Jane Fallis and her hubby came to OIB from the Charlotte area during COVID.

“I was lonely and others were, too,” she confesses. “I am very social. I just wanted a group of women for fellowship and to be social.”

The obligatory Thirsty Thursday ritual in the community hadn’t started up yet, but neighbors were slowly starting to invite a few folks into their homes. Then some began short walks together, and Jane suggested a bike club, which got mixed reviews. But being the outgoing former teacher she is,

she got all excited about the idea. She bought herself a fire engine red Trike and neighbor Pat Garnier got a new bike and asked her to organize a group. Pat suggested naming it the Pedal Pushers.

Jane and Becky Simmons started out riding in the neighborhood in yellow T-shirts, like town criers, seeking recruits.

“We were begging women to join and asking everybody we saw,” Jane says. No woman was safe from their friendly invitation. If they were on their porches, grabbing groceries from their cars or pinching the heads off flowers in their gardens, they were fair game.

“All of a sudden, we were up to 19,” Jane says. “Once a week we meet at the community pool in our bright sunny yellow club shirts. We flow in and we flow out. Then

we meet at Surf and Java for Board meetings as I call it, and they all laugh about that.”

Susan Payne could not escape their clutches.

“Jane would come by on her Trike and say hello, then the conversations would get a little longer. You should join our group. Of course, now I go as often as I can.”

Susan says the women range in age from the 50s to 70s. The bicycles range from Trikes to multi-speed hybrids, one-speed beach cruisers to mountain wheels.

“Collectively it’s the social aspect that brought us together,” she says.

An army brat who has moved all her life, Susan extols meeting new people and developing relationships as a must-do. And while the Pedal Pushers isn’t designed to be an exercise or weight-loss program, she declares her motto is “movement of any kind is good, as is being out in nature,” whether at

a slow or quicker pace. The group rides 60 to 90 minutes in and around the neighborhood and around three to five miles. She recalls a fun morning ride.

“We got over to the Saltwater community, and a gentleman opens his garage door and sees a sea of yellow shirts. His eyes open wide, and he says, ‘I’ve just died and gone to heaven. If you ladies come around again, I will have cocktails for you.’”

Pedal-pushing Suzette Negaard moved to OIB last winter. Her husband was ill, and they were not getting out much. She wanted to answer the call, but a meniscus repair had to heal enough, first. She joined in the spring knowing it would be good rehab for her knee and a nice starting place to get back into exercising. But even more, she says she has made some “fantastic friendships.” Besides the weekly bike ride and coffee, “We now do birthday celebrations, holiday gettogethers, go to concerts and just call on each other to go do something else fun.”

She said she won’t ever forget one morning ride. “It was super-hot and humid, and this guy is out sprinkling his lawn, and he asks us, do you want some? So, he holds up the sprinkler and we all ride under it like kids. So cute.”

Paige Spurbeck, who moved here from Ohio, is one of the youngest riders. She recalls how she got involved. “Jane is one of the most energetic, outgoing and caring people I’ve ever met. She has a good heart and wants everybody to enjoy life as much as she does. She said to me, ‘Paige, you’ve got to get a bike.’ I rode as a kid, but this is my first bike in a long time. It’s a little pink Walmart special. Nothing fancy. A little basket up front.” That reminded her that the club’s mascot is the tiny Toto-like dog, Rita, who sits in Beverly Bagley’s handlebar basket, as the group rides safely and slowly here and there. “And then coffee. Always coffee.”

The club has accomplished Jane’s goal of bringing people together in many ways, and now they are planning on adopting a family in need for Christmas and giving more of themselves for the blessings they’ve reaped in this beautiful place and the lifetime friendships they’ve recently forged.

“I did it to save myself,” Jane discloses, but it has become so much more. “Bringing all these wonderful women together is one of the most enjoyable things I have done in life. I never dreamed it would start this way — with a bicycle.”

These girls just wanna have fun — and they are! 

Bringing all these wonderful women together is one of the most enjoyable things I have done in life.

BY KURT EPPS, THE PUB SCOUT

Yogi Berra’s classic line — “Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded” — may never apply to a breakfast “nook” called Milk & Honey. Because, if necessary, this deceptively massive nook, with its spacious seating areas both inside and outside, can accommodate 500 patrons at a time.

And though its parking lot may look as though most of southeastern Brunswick County is inside ordering excellent food from an exceptionally large and diversified menu, chances are there will always be room for you and your family. There’s even bar

seating with a host of drinks and craft beers available. And just as importantly, the service is so attentive, so down-home and efficient, it provides a sense of intimacy that defies the size of the place. While service is not an issue, deciding what to order may be. The menu is huge with a wide variety of choices. With everything from pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles to an array of breakfast sandwiches and signature or make-your-own omelets to a collection of Benedicts and traditional classic breakfasts, don’t be surprised if it takes you a while to

PHOTO BY TARA ROBERTS

decide. They even have shareable breakfast boards for two to four people, including a Bagel Board, a Southern Board, a Mediterranean Board and Sweet Temptations Board.

And once you have, I doubt you’ll be disappointed. My missus is very particular (some who don’t value their life would say irrational) about her eggs, but she likes them the way she likes them. Her phrase is “done all the way through,” which for the rest of us means “burnt.” And they came out perfectly according to her, so I didn’t have to witness her sending them back for a “re-do,” which is often the case.

My Western Omelet was chock full of onions, peppers, cheese and ham, and nearly too large to finish with the tasty potatoes and large bagel that accompanied it. Nearly.

The owners of Milk & Honey took a rather interesting and circuitous route to the business they now operate. Greek-born Gus Stathos left his little village outside Sparta, Greece, to find a new life. That journey saw him stop in Athens, where he gained valuable experience. Then in 1959, at the tender age of 19, he made his way to America — Greer, South

Carolina, to be precise, where he had relatives. There, he and his family became partners in a restaurant chain called Pete’s Drive-in, and the business grew. Stathos eventually bought his first restaurant in Calabash in 1978, and in 1981 he bought and operated Tony’s Pizza, which is still in operation. In 2007 he and his son, George, opened George’s Pancake House, which suffered a disastrous fire in 2018. But the Stathos family was determined to rebuild. Undeterred, they spent some years traveling to various places and studying what worked and what didn’t in the often-intimidating restaurant business. Finally, armed with extensive experience and knowledge, they decided to open Milk & Honey.

Milk & Honey is obviously running on all eight cylinders, but it wasn’t always that way. They tried to open three years ago, but a distraction named COVID put the kibosh on that plan. When COVID finally backed off, the business was given permission to run at half-capacity, but the owners wanted a full-blown “Here We Are!” opening.

When they finally got the go-ahead for that, they couldn’t

With everything from pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles to an array of breakfast sandwiches, omelets and Benedicts, don’t be surprised if it takes you a while to order.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

find enough staff to open. But they hung in there, and last September they put the car in gear. They’ve been in overdrive ever since.

Milk & Honey is only open from 7 am until 2 pm, and it is closed on Tuesdays “so everybody can at least get a day off,” says Manager Hilda Smith, the epitome of Southern charm and hospitality. But that’s plenty of time to grab a magnificent breakfast, brunch or lunch in a clean, comfortable setting. There are even shareable boards available for groups of two or more.

If you prefer, grab a seat at the comfortable, welcoming bar and ponder life over a libation. The beer list isn’t overly extensive, but you’ll find something to wet your whistle. Maybe adding some Lambics (fruit beers) and Stouts to stand up to those sausages and other meats might complement an already impressive collection of breakfast libations.

Of course, adding those beers might put Milk & Honey into the 12-cylinder category. 

Want to go?

Milk & Honey Breakfast, Bar & More

9941 Beach Drive SW, Calabash (910) 579-6495

Milkandhoneyincalabash.com

Milk & Honey serves breakfast, brunch and lunch with plentiful indoor, outdoor and bar seating. A kids menu is available for the little ones.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PHOTO BY TARA ROBERTS

PHOTO BY TARA ROBERTS

Cary Cart Company Business Profile

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN

Itcomes as no surprise that the golf cart industry is booming here in coastal North Carolina. As one of the state’s fastest-growing counties, with more than 30 golf courses, Brunswick County is attracting people from all over in search of a more leisurely lifestyle. But golf carts aren’t just for the fairways anymore, according to Zan Pope, vice president of Cary Cart Company.

“Having a golf cart is part of the lifestyle here,” Pope says. “You get to spend time cruising the neighborhood, going to the beach or the pool or going to visit a friend.”

Cary Cart Company, a family-owned business, was founded in 2013 in Cary, North Carolina, with the goal of offering a higher level of service and selection than what was commonly found in the golf car industry in North Carolina. That’s believe that sets them apart from other cart companies today.

“We always try to go above and beyond with our service as well as offer different lines of products,” Pope says. “Not to mention, we have a great team that’s always available.”

In 2015 they expanded their offerings by adding the Club Car brand, the global leader in golf and utility vehicles. Since then, they have achieved the rare designation as a Club Car Black and Gold Dealer.

“We are authorized to carry all cars in the Club Car line including consumer and commercial cars,” Pope says. “They are superior products to begin with, but we are always able to service the carts after the sale as well.”

While Cary Cart Company was busy cornering the market of custom and Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) in the Triangle area, the company realized that they had built a coastal business inland and soon after added a rental fleet for seasonal rentals at the coast. In 2016 they acquired the golf car operation on Bald Head Island.

Seeing the explosive growth happening in the rest of Brunswick County, they decided to expand. In January 2020 they expanded to add a Club Car dealership on Ocean Isle Beach. Today Cary Cart Company is now one of the largest golf cart dealers in North Carolina with 25 employees and three showrooms. Their flagship location in Cary remains their headquarters.

At the showroom in Ocean Isle Beach, customers can expect to see a wide range of different models with options that fit any budget.

“We have a new model that’s just been released called the Club Car Cru,” Pope says. “It’s totally different from anything you’ve probably seen; it doesn’t look like a golf cart at all.”

At Cary Cart Company, they don’t just sell carts off the shelf, they specialize in building street-legal carts designed to meet the criteria of each customer. They design one-of-a-kind carts to fit individual lifestyles, and their team works with the client to outline exactly what they’re looking for, including look and feel, colors and features. Pope says they custom paint with a lot of team colors. All custom projects start with a Club Car aluminum chassis, perfect for use in the coastal salt air.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Dr. Michael L. Cahn Business Profile

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN

Morethan 40 million people in the United States suffer from varicose veins, according to Dr. Michael L. Cahn, general surgeon and vein specialist in Southport.

Varicose veins are twisted, swollen, enlarged blood vessels that are raised above the surface of the skin. They are found mostly in the legs, especially in the thighs and/or calves. Varicose veins are a component of a condition called chronic venous insufficiency.. Not only do people find them embarrassing and unsightly, but they can actually cause pain, ulcerations and other symptoms as they progressively enlarge.

“In my practice, most of my patients aren’t coming to see me because of the way they look,” Dr. Cahn says. “They literally have quality of life challenges because of their veins. I’m not selling vein treatment; I’m providing a solution to vein diseases.”

After having worked with other general surgeons and vein doctors in both Whiteville and Wilmington, Dr. Cahn has been doing procedures at Dosher since 2015 and seeing patients in Southport since January 2018. He opened his own practice in Southport in 2020. His prior experience helped him create the vision that he wanted for his own patients.

Dr. Cahn accepts insurance, but his practice has a concierge feel to it. It’s not a high-volume clinic, which allows him to offer a unique patient experience with personalized care. It means he’s more accessible, and patients don’t feel rushed.

“At the end of the day, my goal is to treat patients appropriately so they feel better,” Dr. Cahn says. “I want to create an environment where patients feel cared for. We don’t want them to feel like they’re on a conveyer belt. We ask about their families. We want to know what’s going on in their lives. It gives our patients comfort; they feel like they’re being taken care of by friends.”

Double Board Certified in general surgery and phlebology, Dr. Cahn has successfully treated thousands of patients with varicose and spider veins in his 20 years of experience. He offers a revolutionary treatment that eliminates uncomfortable and embarrassing varicose and spider veins without scarring or downtime. As a general surgeon, Doctor Cahn also specializes in outpatient, same-day surgeries for patients in southeastern North Carolina and surrounding areas. His skilled and caring team is also committed to providing the finest quality care in their state-of-the-art facilities.

Throughout his experience, one thing Dr. Cahn has learned is that no one really talks about varicose veins.

“It’s one of those things where it’s hidden under your pants, and people will stop wearing shorts and bathing suits because they’re embarrassed. And they don’t realize that it’s a medical problem just as much as it is cosmetic,” he says. “If you take care of one, you can take care of both.”

If a person is on the fence about having vein surgery, Dr. Cahn recommends going to his website to see some of the testimonials from his real patients who have had a great experience. “If I take a hundred patients who have had the surgery, most are happy they did it and wish they had done it sooner,” Dr. Cahn says.

Michael MD,

Dr. Michael L. Cahn 4222 Long Beach Road SE, Southport (910) 242-4952 doctorcahn.com

Floor Coverings International Business Profile

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN

Floor Coverings International® (FCI) in Shallotte has a long history of providing exceptional residential and commercial flooring products and services in Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The business continues that tradition under new owner Jim Porch, who purchased the assets in October 2021.

Porch and his wife moved to Brunswick County from Brunswick, Georgia, earlier in 2021 to be closer to family. Porch, who describes himself as “serial entrepreneur,” says it didn’t take long for him to become restless and bored, so he started looking for a new business opportunity.

“We were actually under contract to purchase a business in Calabash, but that deal fell through prior to closing,” Porch says. “But we kept looking and found Floor Coverings International, which fit our criteria for investment. It was well-run with a positive cash flow, even during COVID. It was affiliated with a major national organization, so it was identifiable, and it had upside in sales and profits over the following few years due in part to how fast Brunswick and New Hanover counties have been growing”.

Once Porch purchased FCI, he immediately added a mobile showroom so that he could serve areas that are farther away from the storefront and take the business into more active population centers. They’ve since added a second mobile showroom to accommodate the business growth.

“FCI is known for its mobile showroom program, which is a van packed with more than 3,000 samples that let us ‘bring the floors to your doors’ so customers can shop from the comfort and convenience of their own homes,” Porch says. “Plus, they can see the samples in their own homes and lighting.”

FCI carries a full assortment of flooring including carpet,

laminate, vinyl, hardwood, floor, wall and/or backsplash tile, stone and environmentally friendly options that will fit the purpose of any room, lifestyle and price point. More importantly, FCI provides each client with a “down to the penny” proposal that eliminates the risk of unknown charges, sales gimmicks and tactics.

When you work with FCI, the process begins with a complimentary consultation in which a design associate will bring the mobile flooring store to you. The design associate has extensive knowledge about the materials and installation process, so they can answer all of your questions. Working with FCI’s expert design associates, you can expect a flooring solution that will be perfect for their home and lifestyle.

“They have great design instinct and serve as the client’s single point of contact throughout the installation process,” Porch says.

Additionally, the company’s flooring installers are trained, licensed, insured professionals.

“We are so confident in their work that we provide clients with a three-year warranty on their work,” Porch says.

Once the work is complete, there is a follow-up in which the installers return to the client’s home to evaluate the performance of the floor.

If you’re looking for flooring or tile, call to schedule a complimentary consultation with FCI.

3674 Express Drive #2, Shallotte (910) 575-5248

shallotte.floorcoveringsinternational.com

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Coastal Carolina Lighting Business Profile

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN

It’stime to get your backyard ready for summer entertaining. Remember when the inside of your house was your living area, and the outside was just outside? Now, outdoor spaces are becoming more significant in our everyday lives, especially the backyard. For those who like to entertain friends and family, host off-the-clock business gatherings or celebrate with teammates, investing in backyard lighting is key to designing the perfect gathering space — and an opportunity to get creative.

Typically, when it comes to outdoor lighting in the front of a house, the purpose is to show off landscape features and add depth to some of the artistic characteristics of the home. But the focus for backyard lighting is different.

“Not only is our goal to increase a homeowner’s living space by adding backyard lighting, but backyard lighting allows for more creative freedom than the front,” says Jake Wilson, coowner of Coastal Carolina Lighting. “It’s not only an extension of their house but also their personalities.”

With 14 years of business experience, Wilson and his wife and co-owner, Melissa, have the artistic eyes and expertise for reimagining what backyard lighting can do for a space at night.

“When fixtures and products are properly placed, which is the most important thing, you can bring out textures like tree bark or a stone wall or even the siding,” Wilson says. “We know how to give homeowners a good balance of shadows and lights that just creates a dramatic picture.”

String lights and high-end tiki torches are very effective for creating the perfect outdoor aesthetic, but one of the fastestgrowing lighting trends is color-changing lights that really allow for personalizing a backyard space. Homeowners can use an app on their smartphone to change colors anytime they want. It’s great for customizing outdoor themes. For example, hosts can

change lights to red, white, and blue if they’re entertaining over the Fourth of July.

“It gives homeowners a little trick up their sleeve to offer something different for their guests,” Wilson says.

Every project that Wilson works on is unique. “I don’t have any houses that I’ve treated the same,” he says. “It’s exciting for us not to be repetitive, and customers know they won’t have the same design as their neighbor.”

Coastal Carolina Lighting can do live demonstrations with their portable light setup so homeowners can experience in realtime exactly what backyard lighting can do for them.

“If they want color-changing lights, they can play with the color settings on the app, create their own colors or choose preprogrammed colors,” Wilson says. “It’s a way for them to see the dramatic change before they decide to work with us.”

Wilson feels that homeowners should look at outdoor lighting as an investment in their home. If you buy a quality system, with proper maintenance it should last 10-plus years. An outdoor lighting system also adds both curb appeal and value to your home, which helps when it comes to resale.

Wilson’s key point of advice is to work with a contractor who has a license with the N.C. Landscapers Contracting Board. That way, it guarantees that the state has oversight of the work and carries a bond to protect the consumer.

Coastal Carolina Lighting

1564 Market place boulevard Suite 400-360, Ocean Isle Beach (910) 712-1695

To see more inspirational photos of Coastal Carolina Lighting’s work, visit their website at coastalcarolinalighting.com

Books, Brews & Beads! Mardi Gras Celebration

February 19 at Makai Brewing Company benefitting Brunswick County Literacy Council

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

Les Swartz, Joanie Hoffman, Irene Hathaway

Jennifer Light, John Ross, Randy Light

Steven and Amy Polk

John and Gwendolyn Pongracz Helen Skorny, Dylan Phillips

Brian and Mille Sullivan

Gary and Debbie Bush

Bryan Galecki and Julie Fairbank

Peggy Cremonese, Joanie Hoffman, Sue Railing, Melissa Warren

Sea & Sand Band

Jeff Guard, Denise Williams

Pam and Bob Hoffman with “Nadine” and “Lilly”

Bella Italia

It has been said that wine and friends are a great blend, and the statement was proven by The Foundation of Brunswick Community College when it hosted the 7th Annual Bella Italia Fundraising Event, presented by Dinah E. Gore, Myong Jensen and Paul Jensen, on February 8.

Guests were greeted by a glass of wine at the door and as the elegant evening progressed, Brunswick Community College (BCC) Student

Ambassadors Andrew Jackson, Jadon Smith and Christian Cole spoke about their BCC experiences and expressed their gratitude for the Foundation’s support while guests enjoyed dinner featuring fine wine and food pairings. The sold-out event raised money for student scholarship support through The Foundation of Brunswick Community College, which plays an integral role in supporting BCC students in pursuing their aspirations of higher education.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALAN MORRIS & LAURA D. BROWN

Wine, Women & Chocolate

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENT GALLANT

 Almost 200 people attended Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce’s Wine, Women & Chocolate, the ultimate girls’ night out, on March 8. The event featuring shopping, food and dancing was held at Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach. Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce thanks all the sponsors, vendors and lovely ladies (and a few men) who made this night such a success. Be sure to look for this growing event next year.

OVER 80 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE

When you’ve been part of a community for this long, people get to know you. They know they can count on you for honesty and attention to detail. They know you’ll go the extra mile. That’s how we’ve built our business and our reputation.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO EARN A PLACE

At Home Along The Coast At the Top?

COMBINED

PRODUCTION:

The Sarah Harris Team has been the highest-producing team at the area’s leading real estate firm for the past 7 years! We’ve been able to achieve this success because of our commitment to provide the best possible service to our clients. When you need a responsive and trustworthy team you can count on, give us a call!

$53,300,000*

*TOTAL CLOSED SALES VOLUME, 2022

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MARKET FOR YOUR SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD AND/OR PRICE POINT!