8 minute read
WHAT’S HAPPENED
SeaSide Dance Grand Opening
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Southport/Oak Island Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at SeaSide Dance in Southport. SeaSide Dance offers a wide range of classes for ages two to adult, including seniors. The studio’s dynamic class schedule includes ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, conditioning, Leaps & Turns, ACRO, Zumba and other dance genres. The studio boasts a 3,200-square-foot facility with a multi-purpose dance floor that offers excellent absorption and resilience. There is also a welcoming lobby with CCTV so parents can observe classes while students remain focused on the instructors. With newly remodeled dressing rooms, professional ballet barres, glassless mirrors and performance sound system, SeaSide Dance will enable students to grow in professional training in a clean, safe and encouraging environment.
Calabash Elks Lodge Recognizes Sgt. Rebecca Allen as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
The Calabash Elks Lodge recently recognized Brunswick County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Rebecca Allen as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Sgt. Allen began her law enforcement career with Ashville Police Department in 2001, then moved to Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office in 2005 before transferring to Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office in 2016. Since being with the Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Allen has been assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division, Bailiff Division, Narcotics and Detective Divisions as well the IMPACT Unit until being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the School Resource Division. She is currently assigned to Jesse Mae Monroe Elementary School. She also has current responsibilities in overseeing seven additional schools and assigning School Resource Officers. Since moving to Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Allen has been instrumental in implementing a partnership with the Special Olympics and the Sheriff’s Office. Since 2018 she has organized the law enforcement torch run each year, volunteered at the local games, participated in the Pender County Torch Run and organizes at least two fundraisers every year in Brunswick County. This year Sgt. Allen was able to represent Brunswick County at the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Raleigh right before the start of the State Special Olympics Games. As a result of her efforts and passion, during this year’s spring games, Sgt. Allen was honored with the 2022 Special Olympics Volunteer of the year award from Brunswick County Parks and Recreation. To date, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office has raised more than $36,500 for Special Olympics.
Brunswick County Realtors Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
A group of Brunswick County Realtors® recently painted the entire interior of a new home in Shallotte while volunteering for the Brunswick County Association of Realtors® (BCAR) House Party event with Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers included Kathy Stamp, Keller Williams Calabash; Hannah Coe, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; Megan Brooks Reich, Keller Williams Realty; Melony Rice, Intracoastal Realty; Rich Rice, husband of Melony Rice; and Katie Simmons, Brunswick County Association of Realtors® .
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Elks Donate to Food Pantry
Shallotte Elks Lodge 2854 donated $1,000 from its Gratitude Grant to Ministry of South Brunswick Interchurch Council The Lords Food Pantry, which feeds an average of 85 families per week. Pictured from left to right: John Olear, Leading Knight of Shallotte Elks Lodge; Mary Pritchard, one of the many volunteers of SBIC; and Robert Kordiak, Exalted Ruler Shallotte Elks Lodge.
Inspirations Dance Centre Celebrates 15 Years
Inspirations Dance Centre recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in business, and the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce was there to help them celebrate. This family-owned and -operated dance studio was the Small
Business of the Year in 2017/18. It provides an inclusive, welcoming environment that caters to dancers of all skill levels and self-expression and excellence, challenging and motivating each student to be their personal best within a safe and supportive environment.
FOCUS Broadband Awards $40,000 in Grants to Local Educators
FOCUS Broadband recently awarded $40,000 in grant funds to 23 educators and organizations for programs that expand educational opportunities for Brunswick County and Columbus County students. The funds are part of the cooperative’s grant program, which has awarded $925,000 in community and education grants to more than 500 programs since its inception in 2006.
The Clubs at St. James Opens Beacon315
The long-awaited grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Beacon315 held on August 15 was a huge success. The Clubs at St. James (TROON) General Manager Kent Silhanek welcomed special guests to the event. The remainder of the week was a controlled soft opening, and Beacon315 officially opened on August 20 for breakfast, lunch and dinner to members, non-member residents and boaters.
Calabash Elks Honors Volunteer Firefighter Jay Bertha
The Calabash Elks Lodge recently recognized and honored Jay Bertha with the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year Certificate along with a service medal from the Elks Grand Lodge. Bertha was active in the fire service for 63 years until his retirement on June 30, 2022. He started his long first responder career as a young firefighter with the Port Ewen Volunteer Fire Department in New York State where he was born. He worked his way through the ranks up to chief of the department before retiring and moving to Calabash, after 40 years of volunteer service. After the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, Bertha, along with his brother firefighters, traveled to Ground Zero and joined in the rescue operations. Bertha is also a Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. He is a member of Calabash VFW 7288, where he serves as a Trustee in addition to volunteering wherever he is needed. Until his recent retirement (at the ripe youthful age of 83), he had volunteered with the Calabash Fire Department for 23 years and held the rank of captain of the traffic squad.
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Dosher Honors Volunteers
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Dosher Memorial Hospital recently celebrated their dedicated volunteers with an awards and appreciation luncheon at the St. James Community Center. More than 120 members of the community volunteer at Dosher and help to manage the front entrance desk, operate the switchboard, perform plant care, escort patients to the appropriate departments and run the hospital gift shop as well as the Dosher thrift shop. Volunteers donated 23,367 hours to Dosher between 2019 and 2021 and raised nearly $293,000 from the thrift and gift shop proceeds, in which they purchased equipment for the hospital to enhance patient care. The awards presented included a posthumous recognition for the late Marjorie Clemmons for 30 years of service, 25-year service awards to Marcia Beroset, Mary Ann Van Meter and Carolyn Zarbock, the President’s Lifetime Achievement awards to Patsy Genovese, Susan Kirchner and Deborah Pettis, and the Governor’s Service Award to Ann Hollingsworth. Many other volunteers were recognized for their longevity of service and the amount of time they dedicate to their volunteer duties on an annual basis.
VFW Calabash Post #7288 Auxiliary Donates to Union Elementary School
On October 31, VFW Calabash Post #7288 Auxiliary, represented by President Wayne Waszka and Vice President Cathy Milstead, presented a check for $500 to the Union Elementary School in Shallotte to help supply students’ needs as part of the auxiliary’s community outreach. Principal Sam Jennings gratefully accepted the gift on behalf of the school and thanked the auxiliary for their continued support. The $500 check will be utilized to buy winter coats, shirts and pants for students in need at the school. The VFW Calabash Post #7288 Auxiliary actively supports veteran and community charities with ongoing charitable activities throughout the year such as BINGO
every Thursday evening at the post, located at 900 Carter Drive in Calabash.
Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge has opened in Southport. Owners Briton Campbell Hollister and Kevin Hollister created a welcoming and fun atmosphere at the Southport-Oak Island’s newest entertainment complex. Entertainment like axe throwing (instruction available) and board games are available for all ages. They are located at 806 N. Howe Street in Southport. Considering retirement? Considering retirement? Considering retirement?
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Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribboncutting ceremony for the Southport Crossing Clinic for Benchmark Physical Therapy. Benchmark Physical Therapy offers outpatient physical therapy, specializing in joint replacement, orthopedics and chronic pain. It’s located at 5013 Southport Crossing, Suite 204 in Southport.
St. James Woodworkers Toys for Tots Handoff
While Toys for Tots is celebrating 75 years in 2023, the St. James Woodworkers hosted its third annual toy-making event for Toys for Tots. The core woodworking team was instrumental in making 400 toys this year! On November 20, Robin Sadler, coordinator of Columbus/Brunswick Counties Toys for Tots, and Madison Gough from the ROTC accepted the homemade wooden toys crafted by members of the St. James Woodworkers. A core team of more than 12 St. James Woodworkers made games, cars, trucks and vehicles of all kinds, cradles and more. New members also participated and created some different items this year for boys and girls including chess and checkerboards, steam rollers, whirly-gigs and teardrop racers. Local artist Christine Noble donated her original clay polymer jewelry. The team worked together in creating original patterns, cutting out toys, making wheels for vehicles, sanding, finishing and final assembly. All toys are finished with child-safe finishes and paints. Toys for Tots representatives matched the toys with appropriately aged children in Brunswick County.
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