September 2025 Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine by Southport Magazine

EDITOR

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@liveoakmediainc.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Lisa P. Stites

lisa@southportmag.com

LEAD DESIGNER

Liz Brinker

lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS

Chuck and Sue Cothran

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Louise Sheffield-Baccarny

Carla Edstrom

Patricia Langer

Jan Morgan-Swegle

Janet Fortney

Lisa P. Stites

Jeffrey Stites

PUBLISHER & SALES

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741

Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine is published once a month by

Live Oak Media, Inc

The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily the opinions of the staff.

Annual Subscription: $45

email jeff@liveoakmediainc.com 910-471-7741

Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine

America 250

Ialmosthate to say it, but it seems like the hottest of the Dog Days of Summer are behind us. Not sure why they’re the Dog Days — our dog is not a fan. The News Hound much prefers these cooler temperatures when he can take a stroll and enjoy the ocean breezes. I have to agree with him. I love the summer, but as things cool down, both in temperature and the general tempo of life in our little vacation destination community, I find myself with a little more bounce in my step. And while things may seem a little less rushed without the new waves of visitors coming each week, this time of year is when we locals get out and enjoy all the things that bring tourists to town, and a few they miss by not being here in the fall. It’s the season for festivals, a full slate of weekend programs at Brunswick Town, car shows, and concerts. It’s what we like to call Locals’ Summer. The water is still plenty warm and the beaches are less crowded. The stores have shorter lines, and the restaurants less of a wait for tables. We hope you enjoy this time as much as we do, and that you use it to get out and enjoy our community and all it has to offer. Go see a concert. Take a look at in that new shop you’ve seen the tourists popping in and out of all summer. Try out a new restaurant. Live life to the Locals’ Summer fullest! — Jeffrey

shallottemag.com /September 2025/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine 2

Community Involving Fathers

Father Friendly Schools Helps Bring Dads To Class

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

After his career as a professional firefighter, Kieth Schumacher has a new mission: to help fathers find ways to become involved at their children’s schools, and to help schools find ways to encourage that assistance from fathers and father figures. As Executive Director of Father Friendly Schools, Schumacher has programs up and running in nearly every school in Brunswick County to welcome students’ dads into the classroom.

“Father Friendly school programs are intended to allow the school community to get past stereotypes about the role of family members in the school community,” Schumacher explained. “It is generally moms or grandmothers who carry the burden of supporting the school through school volunteering and educational support. Dads want to be engaged, but often don’t know how. Father friendly schools specifically invite them and give them programming that they can identify with and call their own. They are recognized for who they are and the important role that they play in the community.”

The programs are designed to in-

clude male role models of all types, not just biological fathers. “These role models include fathers, grandfathers, uncles, big brothers, neighbors, coaches, teachers, clergy, etc. Students who may not have a ‘dad’ are encouraged to participate in father engagement programming with an adult role model whom they are free to invite,” he said.

“One thing I do want to be clear on is that we use the term dad very loosely,” Schumacher said. “We just want people to understand that these programs are for every child in the school regardless of what their family structure is. Because we do get a lot of pushback because of using the word ‘Dad.’”

The program in elementary schools is called Watch D.O.G.S (Dads Of Great Students) and is active in all 11 Brunswick County elementary schools.

“And the idea is, hopefully, to have at least one or two volunteers at school every school day.”

The number of volunteer days and the choice of dates depends on the participant’s schedule, but Schumaker said that the student’s birthday is a really popular choice.

“But the idea is to not interfere with their work schedule. They get to choose the day. And then they come in and volunteer that full day at the school,” he said.

unteer, but they don’t give them anything. They don’t give them any specific direction. And then they wonder why they don’t come back because they feel like they showed up and lost their time, you know. But when they give them assignments to do throughout the day and utilize them, they feel useful. You know, I always say the schools that work the guys the hardest are the ones that are the most successful.”

In middle and high schools, the program is called All Pro Dad and centers around a monthly breakfast event.

“They provide a pretty structured curriculum, and the best part of the whole thing is when the adult that comes with a student, the event opens up with that adult standing up, not introducing himself, but introducing a child and saying, ‘I’m proud of so and so’ because of some, you know, something. And each dad gets a chance to kind of affirm the child out loud in front of the group. And that’s really impactful because as guys, we’re just not wired to do that. And it sometimes gets emotional, because the guys realize that they, you know, the impact that they have by just saying that,” Schumacher said.

“So the idea behind that is the schools have two events, and at those two events, they ask the dads to choose one day out of the whole school year to volunteer,” Schumacher said.

Dads could be doing anything from working right in the classrooms reading or doing flashcards, to helping out with arrival and dismissal, to PE or lunch duty. The key is that the volunteers have specific jobs they know about in advance. They aren’t just showing up and trying to find ways to help. They have an assignment.

“Because guys aren’t going to walk in and say, ‘oh, what can I do?’” Schumacher said. “You know, it’s got to be it’s got to be structured. And that’s where a lot of schools kind of miss the mark by saying, you, hey, we want you to vol-

Each month the breakfast focuses on one of nine curriculum sets. One month it could be Courage and another Integrity.

“They prompt the one-on-one conversation between the dad and the kid, but it’s within the walls of the school

Dads lined up to sign up for volunteer shifts

Male role models from the community are welcome to be Watch DOGS

Community

building, so it ties the kids’s life in the school together with what’s going on in the family,” Schumacher said.

For both programs, Schumacher said that consistency is important.

“Because what happens when you have a school that will say, ‘Hey, we’ve got a dad’s school, we had Donuts for Dads,’ which is great. It’s a first step. But what they don’t realize is if that’s the only thing that they offer for dads, they create the illusion that that’s the only day dads are welcome,” he explained. “So we want to be able to create consistency across the whole school year. And that’s where what we do is a little bit different.”

Schumacher said the response to Father Friendly Schools from the dads is overwhelmingly positive.

“Most of the time, the guys will say, especially when their school first starts up, you know, they’ll say, well, I never had an opportunity to do anything with my kid before,” Schumacher said. “And it’s not that the schools have the

men locked out or anything, it’s just that our American culture sees school as mom’s world. When you think PTA, you think mom. When you think school volunteers, you think mom, and that’s that’s just our American culture.”

He said that when the schools use one of these programs and make that consistency wide open, we see guys who are very thankful. They say they just didn’t know how to get involved, where to step in, and this gives them something that they can have owner-

ship in.

“They don’t have to show up and defend why they want to be engaged with the school,” Schumacher said. “And we just need to kind of defeat the concept that, you know, a man wanting to be engaged to the school and supporting his children is a bad thing. It’s just that they default to the assumption that dads are too busy and that dads don’t care about education. And what we’ve seen time and time again is that the guys do care. It’s just they don’t have the specific invitation.”

“What we’ve seen just here in Brunswick County is blowing people away,” he said. Schumacher uses a sign up event at Southport elementary as an example, where 200 men showed up.

As this school year swings into gear, Father Friendly Schools is hosting events all over the county. We’ve provided a list of everything scheduled as of press time, but if you would like to participate at your child’s school, and don’t see an event scheduled, feel free

to contact Kieth Schumacher at info@ fatherfriendlyschools.org.

Upcoming Events

September 8 - NBHS All Pro Dad Launch 6:30 pm

September 12 - FRIDAY NIGHT DADSNBHS vs ST. PAUL 6 pm Belville Elementary Leland Middle

Lincoln Elementary

Town Creek Elementary Town Creek Middle

September 17 - Dads & Kids Pizza Night -Jessie Mae Monroe 6 pm

September 18 - Dads & Kids Pizza Night - Virginia Williamson 6 pm

September 19 - WBHS All Pro Dad Launch 7 am

September 26 - All Pro Dad LaunchShallotte Middle 6:30 am

October 14 - Dads & Kids Pizza NightSupply Elementary 6 pm

Keith Schumacher at a sign up event

Community

Johnathan Blue

Brunswick County 4-H Youth Development

STORY BY PATRICIA LANGER

Cooperative Extensions, established by the Federal government more than 100 years ago, serve as the community outreach arm of our nation’s land-grant universities. Cooperative Extensions work to improve lives, particularly in rural areas, by working with farmers, families, youth, and communities. Extensions provide research-based knowledge on things like food safety, horticultural practices, conservation, water safety, soil testing, and other quality of life areas.

In North Carolina, the Cooperative Extension is managed by NC State and NC Agricultural and Technical State University, with a focus on small farms, agriculture and natural resources; community and rural development; Family Health & Wellness; and 4-H Youth Development. Johnathan Blue was recently hired by NC A&T as the new Area Specialized 4-H Youth Development Agent, serving Brunswick County and the surrounding region. His role is to expand the reach and impact of 4-H in our area, with a specific focus on STEM programs. I recently met with Johnathan to find out what brought him to the Cooperative Extension and what he hopes to accomplish.

You earned your BA in mathematics from UNC-Charlotte in 2016 and a Masters in Conflict Management & Resolution from UNC-Wilmington in 2024. Those seem like two very different fields to me. What led you down that path?

I was a high school math teacher in Charlotte after I graduated from college. I taught up until Covid. By then, my wife and I had relocated to Leland (where Johnathan grew up) and I was teaching at North Brunswick High School. Once Covid hit, we re-evaluated our lives. I chose an entrepreneurial path for a while. When our daughter Shiloh was born, I decided to be a full-time stayat-home Dad for a while – something I tell every young man I know they should do, if they have the opportunity. It’s the

most amazing thing! We have two beautiful girls now who are 1 and 4. (At this point, Johnathan pulls up a picture on his cell phone. His daughters are adorable!) I went back to work in 2022, taking a job in human resources at UNCW. That’s where I learned about the Master’s program in Conflict Management. The degree focuses on communal conflict, personal conflict, generational conflict, and organizational conflict. I have had a lot of exposure to all of those things in my life, so it seemed like a perfect fit. For whatever reason, I am the type of person who is “found by fires.” I don’t look for them, but I am good at putting them out.

My master’s degree led me to this job working for NC A&T at the Cooperative Extension. It’s exactly what I was looking for. I did take some time to be home with our second daughter, Jireh, before I started.

I am embarrassed to admit that I am not aware of what Cooperative Extensions do. Can you enlighten me?

You’re not alone. There are a lot of people in this area who aren’t aware of them. I think it’s because so many people relocate here from different parts of the country that may not have active Extensions. Cooperative Extensions are the best kept secret in the United States! Every county has them. The intent of Extensions is to bring the knowledge and research of our universities to the people in the communities. Part of my job is to help raise awareness, specifically for the

4-H program. Do you know that 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development program?

I did not know that. I was a Girl Scout growing up, so my exposure to 4-H was limited. The county where I grew up in northeastern CT had a huge agricultural fair every summer, where the 4-H kids showed pigs, cows and sheep, or they entered contests for homegrown vegetables and flowers. What else do 4-H clubs do?

That and so much more! The NC 4-H program focusses on STEAAM: science, technology, engineering, art, agriculture and math. Because we are in a coastal region, there are not a lot of agricultural fairs here, so we focus more on the science and technology parts here.

The 4-H platform is “Beyond Ready,” meaning we want to give kids the knowhow, the moral fiber, the aptitude and attitude to advance themselves in the world. That’s what the 4 “H”s are all about: head/heart/hands/health

What are some of the STEM programs you’re working on for kids in our area?

We are getting ready to kick off Game of Drones, which is a state-wide competition for middle school and high school kids. The challenge involves using critical thinking skills to decipher missions and

then write code to manipulate both land and aerial drones to complete those missions. Teams will be picked by mid-October and the competition will be held at NC A&T in the spring.

We also have the Lego CYFAR Competition coming up in October. It’s another state-wide competition with CYFAR, which stands for children, youth and families at risk.

Then there’s the Reality of Ag program, which is a collaborative effort to introduce middle and high schoolers to what modern agriculture looks like, using fun, hands-on activities. We want them to know there’s more to it than farm work and livestock. There are so many other aspects to agriculture – there’s a lot of science and technology. We want to enhance appreciation for all these different areas and raise awareness of different job avenues in agriculture. I am hoping that Brunswick County gets chosen as a test site for this program. Oh! And this spring we’ll be testing the Embryology program with 2nd graders.

Okay – I’m once again embarrassed by my lack of knowledge. What is embryology?

Baby chickens! We’re hoping to work with the Brunswick County schools as part of a STEAAM opportunity program based on baby chickens.

That’s a lot of exciting stuff you’re working on! What are some of your personal goals in your new role with 4-H?

My primary goal is to be my authentic self every day. To give everything I have to this job and not worry whether parts of me will be well-received. I’m a nerd by birth! And that’s okay. Choosing to call

Community

myself a nerd is an attempt to reclaim a portion of my identity that I tried to hide throughout my adolescence because it was frowned upon. Then I learned of Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and realized that we’re all “nerds” in some form, fashion or subject area.

I am also an educator at heart, so I love the role of mentor/teacher/leader. I get to teach kids all these cool things and help them learn about career paths they might not be aware of. Kids can only be what they see, so give them a chance to see something cool.

I understand you are known for your enthusiasm and creativity. How do you bring those qualities to this job?

I love what I do, so it’s easy. I love that I get to play with robots and fly drones as part of my job! Most people are willing to give more of an effort if they feel like you are excited to be there. So, I try to bring my enthusiasm to everything I do. I get

pumped up by the kids I mentor and the people I work with.

I walk in on 10 and leave on 20 every day!

As for creativity, I am collaborating all the time with people I work with. We have a great 4-H agent and a 4-H program assistant here at the Extension who both work for NC State. I see what programs they are working on and try to find ways to integrate my ideas with them.

What’s something you want people to

know about you?

I come from a family of coastal North Carolinians, going back five generations. We are primarily a fishing family. Since coming to the Cooperative Extension, my coworkers are getting me to try a bunch of new things that are definitely outside my comfort zone, like camping, hunting, and chickens!

Who should people contact if their kids want to join a 4-H club or if they want to volunteer?

To register a child or to volunteer with Brunswick County 4-H, please send an email to myself (jhblue@ncat. edu), Jamie Lester (jamie_lester@ncsu. edu) or Carolyn Habib (cmhabib@ncsu. edu). You can also follow the Brunswick County 4-H Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/ share/1NgkCVHy45/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Business Feature

Renee’s Jewelry at 25 Local Jeweler Keeps The Personal Touch

STORY BY LISA STITES

Renee Ward has owned Renee’s Fine Jewelry for 25 years, and she is celebrating by inviting all of us to a party. Stop by the store, at 602 N. Howe St. in Southport, from 3-7 pm on Friday, Sept 12 and enjoy bubbly, food, and jewelry giveaways.

Thinking back over her 25 years with the business, Renee says she was around it since she was a little girl, and that her parents had a little shop, but she didn’t start really working in the business until she was 19 or so. After working in management at a store and working for her parents a bit, she found there was a need in Southport that she could fill.

“People were asking for help with an appraisal or repair, and I had the knowledge,” she said.

And she had The Book.

“I started with a book, and I made my first ring sale out of that book. Then I had a book and a desk. I started meeting people by appointment only,” she said.

She worked out of her husband’s business, with him working out front and her office in the back, complete with a couch and Disney movies for the kids.

She worked by appointment only for about a year, and was surprised with the success she had. She got a small, second-hand jewelry display case, and not too much later, added a second.

“I just started growing like that,” she said. “Then I had four showcases.”

She stayed there for about five years, and had employees helping her with the jewelry business and her mother-in-law helping with the children.

“It just sort of worked out. Nothing was given to me. I had to start from scratch,” she said.

Renee’s Fine Jewelry has been in its current location for 19 years. “It’s my home away from home,” she said.

“We immediately treat them as friends,” Renee said of her customers. “We want customers to want to come in. They

want an experience. We want them to feel warmth. We want them to feel that we want to know who they are. We put them at ease. Not all jewelry stores do that. We want people to feel like they’re on vacation. We offer wine, or beer or water. Sometimes they don’t know what they are looking for,” she said. And even when customers don’t by something, Renee said she and her team are happy to take a look at what jewelry they’re wearing, looking for broken pieces, needed repairs or even giving something a good cleaning. “I don’t want anybody to leave my store with dirty jewelry,” she said.

Renee and her team are glad to help customers pick out just the right piece for that special someone, whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or just because. But Renee wanted to offer customers more, so she also stepped into the design realm, helping customers create new pieces or working with customers’ old pieces to give them new life.

She once worked with a couple who asked for repairs to the wife’s ring.

Unbeknownst to the wife, the husband

saw the chance to upgrade her stone, and when she got her new ring, similar to her old ring but with a larger stone, Renee said she cried.

“Jewelry is very personal. It’s about emotions as much as it is about beauty,” she said.

Renee said when her children were younger, they did not want to work in the jewelry business because they thought their mom worked too much. But now her daughters are working with her, on the design side and in the store, which makes her so happy.

Another change in the past several years has come with relying more on technology, like social media or online reviews, or even using video chat to consult with a customer oversees or pick out a particular gemstone. Renee said she had a customer from Switzerland who was referred to her store. She dealt with him online, helped him save thousands on the yellow diamond he wanted for his wife, and she got to see a video of his wife opening the gift box, holding her custom ring made just for her.

“That means so much to me,” she said.

Like many retail store owners, Renee said the jewelry business means she is never really off, but she calls what she does a happy business. And as she moves into the next chapter for her store, she’ll continue to watch for trends, travel to shows throughout the world, and look for lines and pieces that others aren’t offering.

“We’re just keeping up with the times, constantly evolving, making it better and better and better and letting people know we’re there and that we will help you,” she said. “We want to be your lifelong jeweler.”

Renee Ward and shop dog Jewel

Green Swamp Tours

Explore A Uniquely Diverse Ecosystem

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

This fall you have the opportunity to join The Adventure Kayak Company for a series of birding and nature walks exploring the Green Swamp Preserve located off Hwy 211 in Supply.

The Green Swamp is famous for its carnivorous plants, orchids, wildflowers and birding opportunities. Within the Preserve are some of the country’s finest examples of Longleaf Pine savannas.

These walks are open to all levels of nature enthusiasts. Bring your binoculars, camera, notepad, pen and join the fun!

Guided Birding and Nature Walk tour fee is $40 per person. Pre registration is required.

Guided Green Swamp Nature and Birding Walks:

Sat., Sept. 13, 7:30 am Mon., Sept. 29, 7:30 am Sat., Oct. 11, 8:30 am

Tues., Oct. 21, 8:30 am

Thurs., Oct. 31, 8:30 am

Thurs., Nov. 6, 8:30 am

Tues., Nov. 18, 8:30 am (additional dates will be added by request)

Call The Adventure Kayak Company for more kayak tour information and for reservations at 910-454-0607.

Showcase

Little Theatre News

Brunswick Little Theatre Hosts Fundraiser, Table Read

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Whetheryou’re looking for a sneak peak at a future production or just want to enjoy some entertianment and wine for a good cause, Brunswick Little Theatre has somehting just for you this month.

Table Read Invite

Brunswick Little Theatre is producing “Greetings!” by Tom Dudzick in December of 2025. Auditions will be held Sept. 28 and 30 and are open to all who are interested.

An open table read will be held in the Ryan Tewell Studio on Sept. 3 at 6:30 pm at Brunswick Little Theatre, 8068 River Road in Southport. If you would like to join this table read, the Theatre will be accepting the first two women and the first three men to respond. The table read does NOT take the place of auditions and will not lead to any preferential consideration once auditions are held. All roles are open and the entire community is encouraged to audition if interested. It is an opportunity to participate in a table read, a chance to get to hear the full play and a night to

have some fun!

Characters:

Andy Gorski - 33 years old

Randi Stein - Andy’s fiancé, 29 years old

Phil Gorski - Andy’s father, mid-60s

Emily Gorski - Andy’s mother, mid60s

Mickey Gorski - Andy’s brother, 30 years old

Setting:

Gorski household in Pittsburgh, PA 1990

Synopsis:

Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father and an intellectually disabled younger brother named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiancé to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow-ups are realized.

To participate, contact Stephanie

Everything is vegan and gluten free

Hall at hallsv4@gmail.com

Cabaret & Cabernet:

Brunswick Little Theatre’s First Annual Gala Brunswick Little Theatre is inviting the public to a cabaret night club show complete with music, dancers, and singers. There will be wine (and other beverages) to whet your whistle, des-

serts to satisfy your sweet tooth, raffles that tickle your fancy and much, much more. BLT is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, and 100 percent of BLT’s revenue comes from ticket sales, donations, sponsorships and grants.

WHEN: Sept. 26, 2025, 7-9 pm

WHERE: Southport Community Building, 223 East Bay St., Southport

HOW: Tickets are $75 and available now at www.brunswicklittletheatre. com or at Ricky Evans Gallery, 211 North Howe St., Southport.

For those interested in joining as sponsors, BLT is offering a number of different levels — Platinum at $5,000, Gold at $2,000, Silver at $1,000, Bronze at $500 and BLT Stars at $300.

The Brunswick Little Theatre is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to create awareness and appreciation of the performing arts in the greater Brunswick County area. Their mission is to entertain, enrich and educate. They strive to produce transformative theatre and provide quality theatrical and technical instruction for all in a nurturing, inclusive environment.

Showcase

A Classical Benefit Partnership For Housing Fundraiser

STORY AND PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The musical trio Synchronicity is hosting a benefit concert on Sept. 18 at 7 pm. at Saint Peter Lutheran Church, 4843 Southport-Supply Rd, Southport. The Synchronicity trio is comprised of Diane Lusk (pianist), Carol Amaya (soprano) and Michele Barkalow (flutist), and the program will feature selections by Handel, Ravel and Schubert, to name a few. In addition, members will perform pieces for flute/piano and soprano/piano.

All proceeds (free-will offerings) will benefit Brunswick Partnership for Housing, an organization dedicated to helping unsheltered individuals and families by providing transitional housing as they work toward permanent housing. BPH also advocates for affordable housing in Brunswick County. Meet the trio and BPH board members at a reception following the concert.

About Synchronicity

Synchronicity has been defined as a destined chain of events that happen at just the right time. In 2018 Carol, Diane and Michele, all new to the Southport area at that time, had met and discovered they had a common desire to share their musical talents with their new community. After performing two successful House Concerts in St. James, the trio decided it was time to choose a name and look for ways to reach a wider audience. They believe this is more

than a coincidence — it’s Synchronicity!

About Brunswick Partnership for Housing

Brunswick Partnership for Housing is a private, nonprofit organization in Brunswick County. Its mission is to address the needs of unsheltered individuals and families seeking permanent housing and advocate for affordable housing. In the last four years, BPH has served more than 1,000 unsheltered people. Using a trauma-informed care approach, BPH cultivates a safe, supportive and respectful environment.

left to right: Michele Barkalow (flutist), Carol Amaya (soprano), Diane Lusk (pianist, seated)

History

Letters and Journals

September Cape Fear Civil War Round Table

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

OnThursday, Sept. 11, Wilmington’s Cape Fear Civil War Round Table welcomes back Dr. Robert W. Browning Jr., Ph.D. to talk about his latest book “I Am Fighting for the Union: The Civil War Letters of Naval Officer Henry Willis Wells.” Dr. Browning, retired chief historian of the U.S. Coast Guard, is the acknowledged expert of the Civil War blockade and his subject presents one of the most moving and insightful accounts of life on the blockade. All are welcome to the event at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midtown Wilmington, beginning at 6:30 pm.

Dr. Browning is now retired and resides in Roxboro, NC. He graduated from UNCW in 1977, earned his MA from ECU in 1980 and his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama in 1988. He was an historian for the Coast Guard from 1989 through 1991 and chief historian from 1991 to 2015. He received the Commodore Dudley W. Knox Naval History Lifetime Achievement Award from the Naval History Foundation in 2021.

In 1993 Dr. Browning published “From Cape Charles to the Cape Fear,” which chronicles the establish-

ment of the essential blockade from the entrance to Chesapeake Bay south to the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It was crucial to control this stretch of the coast and the inland waters of Chesapeake Bay, James River and the North Carolina sound country.

In 2002, he added “Success is All That Was Expected,” a history of the South Atlantic squadron that sailed the coast from the Cape Fear to Florida. This story covers the harrowing engagements between ships and forts, daring amphibious assaults, and the evolution of submarine warfare in the form of the CSS Hunley. In “Lincoln’s Trident,” he continued his magisterial series to chronicle the squadron that operated in the Gulf of Mexico.

Knowing the Navy’s role in isolating the Confederate economy and preventing the movement of troops and supplies within the South is crucial to fully understanding the outcomes of the Civil War, as well as the importance of naval power in military conflicts

“I Am Fighting for the Union: The Civil War Letters of Naval Officer Henry Willis Wells,” edited and introduced by Dr. Browning is available from the publisher, the University of Alabama Press. The book is 368 pages, with 10 black and white illustrations and four maps. It was published in April 2023.

An insightful, detailed, and invaluable account of daily life in the Union Navy, it is also a dramatic human story. Henry Willis Wells was born on July 4, 1841, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Wells began his sailing career at the age of fifteen, circling Cape Horn in the clipper ship Ocean Telegraph. During the Civil War, he sailed with the United States Navy from 1861 to 1864, serving on multiple ships including the Cambridge (armed steamer), the Ceres (armed steamer), and the Gem of the Sea (bark).

On May 18, 1862, Henry Willis Wells wrote a letter to his mother telling her in clear terms, “I am fighting for the Union” since August 1861, when he joined the US Navy as a master’s mate, a junior officer’s rank that carried important responsibilities. He never wavered in his loyalty. He wrote to his family frequently that he considered military service a necessary and patriotic duty, and the career that ensued was a dramatic one, astutely and articulately documented by Wells in more than 200 letters home, leaving an invaluable account of daily life in the Union Navy.

Wells joined the navy shortly after the war began, initially on board the

USS Cambridge, attached to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which patrolled the waters of the Chesapeake Bay down to Cape Fear. He witnessed the Battle of Hampton Roads and the fight between the ironclads CSS Virginia (the former USS Merrimack) and the USS Monitor. Of special interest to locals, the Cambridge next participated in the blockade of Wilmington. In one instance, the warship chased the schooner J. W. Pindar ashore during her attempt to run the blockade, and Confederate forces captured Henry’s boarding party. After a short prison stay in the infamous Libby Prison in Richmond, his Confederate captors paroled Henry. He travelled back to Brookline, and soon thereafter the Navy Department assigned him to the gunboat Ceres, which operated on the sounds and rivers of North Carolina, protecting army positions ashore. Henry was on board during the Confederate attempt to capture Washington, North Carolina. During this April 1863 attack, Henry was instrumental in the town’s defense, commanding a naval battery ashore during the latter part of the fight.

His exceptional service gained him a transfer to a larger warship, the USS Montgomery, again on the blockade of Wilmington. Later the service assigned him to the Gem of the Sea, part of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron. Through his hard work and professionalism, he finally earned his first command. In September 1864, he became the commanding officer of the Rosalie, a sloop used as a tender to the local warships. Later he commanded the schooner Annie, also a tender. At the end of December 1864, however, the Annie suffered a massive explosion, killing all hands, including Wells. He was 23 years old when his life and career ended tragically. Wells’s letters document both his considerable achievements and his frustrations. His challenges, triumphs, and disappointments are rendered with candor. “I Am Fighting for the Union” is a vital and deeply personal account of a momentous chapter in the history of the Civil

War and its navies.

The papers of Henry Willis Wells (1841-1864) span the years 1851 to 2012, with the bulk of the material dating from 1851 to 1865. The collection documents Wells’s young adulthood as a sailor traveling from his home in Massachusetts to various American and international ports, as well as Wells’s service aboard Union naval vessels in the Chesapeake Bay and Florida Keys during the United States Civil War. The bulk of the collection consists of Wells’s correspondence to his mother, Elizabeth Sewall Willis Wells. Additional correspondents include his father, Thomas Goodwin Wells; two of his sisters, Eliza May Wells Greeley and Louisa Wells Wendte; and his brother, Benjamin Wells. There are also some letters to his cousin, Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women. Wells’s nephew and namesake, Henry Willis Wells (18951978), transcribed many of his uncle’s Civil War letters, and these transcriptions, in manuscript form with errors, are contained in the collection now housed at the Library of Congress.

The collection also includes various journals kept by Wells, a copy of the order book of the steamer

Cambridge (copied by Wells), various certificates and appointment letters, and a photograph of Wells set into a fragment of porcelain.

Make plans to come and learn about the Civil War blockade. The meeting will take place on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, beginning at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held in Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1219 Forest Hills Drive in Wilmington. The church parking lot and entrance to the meeting room is easily accessed via Park Avenue off of Independence Boulevard. Bring a friend! For more information about membership in the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table, go to http://www.cfcwrt.org and pick “Join/Rejoin.” See you there!

•

USS Cambridge, Library of Congress

Community Safe Plates Classes

Food Safety Certifcations In September

CONTRIBUTED

NC Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County is offering the Safe Plates course to promote food safety at the food service level. Food safety is the safeguarding or protection of food from anything that could harm consumers’ health. This comprehensive course is appropriate for food service managers and supervisory staff in restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare facilities, and other food-handling establishments.

lishments.

The Safe Plate class will be Sept. 22 and 29. These classes will meet at the NC Cooperative Extension Training Center at the Government Center in Bolivia from 9 am until 4 pm on each day. This two-day training is recommended for those who are new to food service or have not taken a certification exam before. It is recommended, but not required, that participants attend

both days.

The registration fee is $125 per person. This includes all instruction, materials and the exam. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snacks and beverages. The certification exam will be given on the second day.

Safe Plates is a food safety certification course developed by North Carolina State University. Safe Plates for Food Managers is different from other food safety manager training because it is taught through case studies, storytelling, activities and discussion.This class is interactive and encourages participants to engage with the material. Food service managers successfully completing the exam will meet the 2022 FDA Food Code requirement for an ANSI (American National Standards Institution) approved Certified Food Protection Manager. Managers will receive a certificate to display in their operation which will verify to the local Environmental Health Department that they are in compliance. A certified person in charge (PIC) should be present at all times the establishment is in operation.

Instructors for the class will be Cheryle Jones Syracuse and Avery Ashley, Family

and Consumer Science team members with NC Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County. Staff members from the Brunswick County Environmental Health will also be on-hand to answer questions.

The class will be taught in English and the ook and handout materials are available in English only. The Food Safety Manager Certification test is available in English, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Spanish.

For more information or to register contact Avery Ashley at Brunswick County Center of the N. C. Cooperative Extension 910-253-2610. Pre-registration is required. Additional details at https://brunswick.ces. ncsu.edu/ Seating is limited to the first 30 registered.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

September Fishing Report

Fall Fishing in Brunswick County: The Season Ahead

BY CAPTAIN STEELE PARK

As summer winds down and the first hints of fall arrive, anglers across Brunswick County are gearing up for what many consider the best two months of fishing all year. With yellow butterflies drifting through the air and cooling temperatures settling in, conditions are ideal for both inshore and offshore fishing. From the backwaters to the Gulf Stream, fishermen are taking full advantage of the season’s favorable weather, calm ocean conditions, and exceptional opportunities on the water.

Backwater Fishing

Flounder fishing has been outstanding, with the open season running from Sept. 1 through Sept. 14. The flounder population in our area is healthier than ever — raising the question of why strict seasons are necessary at all. It’s critical that we continue advocating with legislators and fisheries officials to ensure fair regulations. Historically, once restrictions or seasonal closures are put in place for any species, they have never been fully reopened. Keep the pressure on!

Flounder can be found from rivers and creeks to nearshore reefs. Finger mullet are abundant right now, and fishing them on a Carolina rig is a sure way to find success.

Red drum fishing has also been excellent throughout the season, and as waters cool, these fish will begin schooling and feeding

more aggressively. Productive spots include riverbanks with rocks or structure that disrupt current flow, as well as oyster beds. Floating a live shrimp under a popping cork around oyster beds is a tried-and-true method for plenty of action.

Speckled trout fishing is expected to strengthen throughout the month. Anglers should focus on fast current areas in the river, structure-rich locations, and feeder creeks with moving water. Live shrimp or artificial shrimp, whether free-lined or fished under a popping cork, will draw consistent strikes.

Nearshore Fishing

This is arguably the most exciting time of year for nearshore anglers, with multiple opportunities to target active species. Large

Captain Steele Park, a US Navy Veteran, has been fishing the oceans, rivers, and lakes of southeastern NC since he was 7 years old and knows these waters like the back of his hand. He calls Southport home and captains the Catherine Anne Sportfishing & Excursions fleet. For more information please call at 910-620-9919

schools of Spanish mackerel can be found along the beaches, feeding on mullet and glass minnows. Early mornings are ideal for casting jigs into the schools, though trolling spoons behind a #1 or #2 planer is often the most effective approach. Look for white birds working the water — they’ll point the way to the Spanish.

The arrival of yellow butterflies also signals the presence of king mackerel. With baitfish especially plentiful this season, a strong beach bite is expected. The most effective technique is slow-trolling live pogies on king rigs around bait balls, near inlets on a falling tide, or at nearshore artificial reefs.

The annual bull red drum migration provides anglers with both excitement and challenge. These powerful fish can be caught on live pogies fished with a knocker rig and circle hooks. Because these mature fish are vital to sustaining the red drum population, it’s essential to handle them responsibly. Use heavier tackle to prevent overexertion, support their bellies when lifting them, and release them promptly.

Offshore Fishing

Offshore anglers look forward to this time of year for good reason — Gulf Stream fishing can be nothing short of spectacular. Large numbers of wahoo move into our waters during the fall, feeding aggressively, especially in the five days leading up to the full moon. High-speed trolling is particularly effective this time of year, as wahoo often move into shallower waters with dense concentrations of bonitas and barracuda. Since wahoo can strike at high speed, this approach helps eliminate unwanted bites from other species.

Blackfin tuna are also abundant, providing plenty of opportunities for action. In recent years, the fall sailfish bite has grown significantly, with many boats reporting multiple catches per day. Running dredges and teasers can be especially effective in enticing these acrobatic fish.

Final Thoughts

Fishing in our area during the fall season is simply too good to miss. Whether you’re casting in the backwaters, trolling nearshore, or chasing the Gulf Stream bite, the next two months promise unforgettable experiences on the water.

See you out there!

Gen. Lee Returns

Brunswick Civil War Roundtable

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Confederate

General Robert E. Lee is alive and well as the Brunswick Civil War Round Table anticipates his appearance at the first meeting of the new season on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the day after Labor Day. Actually, General Lee will be portrayed by Civil War re-enactor Thomas Jessee, a respected and celebrated “Living” Historian, dressed in his Confederate uniform, of course!

Gen. Lee, the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, remains one of the most compelling and controversial figures in American history. What we remember most about him is a complex combination of his renowned military genius, his symbolic role in the “Lost Cause” of the Confederacy, and the ongoing, often heated, re-evaluation of his legacy focusing on his role as a slaveholder, and his fight to preserve

human suppression, better known as slavery.

It is simply impossible to briefly summarize his incredible three-year military career, from assuming command of the Army of Northern Virginia in June, 1862 to his surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in April, 1865. But equally important, what about his early life which has been largely ignored by many historians? Or, if time his permits, what about his life after the war? As best expressed by Thomas Jessee, “I’ll be there so you can meet me, talk to me, and ask me questions. I look like General Lee. So when you go away, you’ll remember the experience, which also

means you’ll remember this part of history.”

Jessee is a longtime student of Gen. Lee. He has portrayed him in various venues throughout the United States over the years. As a Living Historian, he is well known for his in-depth research to capture Lee’s character and demeanor. In 2015, he was approved by the National Park Service to portray General Lee at the 150th Anniversary of the Appomattox Surrender in Virginia, and he appears in the new Appomattox Visitors Center film shown to the public daily. He recently appeared in the role of Gen. Lee on April 2022 at the park. He also has been a re-enactor since 1969 at the age of 18, starting out as a Private, and through the years worked his way up the ranks to General.

Save the date. The new season of monthly meetings begins on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the day after Labor Day. Meetings are held at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach. Registrations begin at 6:15 pm and programs start at 7 pm. The visitor fee remains at $10, and may be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues, which importantly can include

a spouse. Everyone is welcome. By the way, about one-third of our audiences are female!

For more information about the meeting or the Round Table, please contact president John Butler at Brunswickcivilwarroundtable@gmail. com, call him directly at 404-2299425, or visit Brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com for background and current information, news, and updates.

Keeping Fit

Don’t Rush Success

Playing the Long Game Leads to Wins

BY VICTOR FERNANDES

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

Irecently shared on social media a series of five photos spanning the past 15 years. Not to showcase how much progress I have made in that time, but to show the sheer length of time it takes for that much progress to be made.

And that’s if we have done the work to put ourselves in position to make progress. The path to transforming our health and wellness, and our life, truly is a journey, and it takes as long as it takes because anything worth doing takes time.

Not a moment more. Not a moment less.

Anything worth doing is worth getting uncomfortable, becoming frustrated, thinking about quitting, and knowing there are no guarantees no matter how hard you work.

Embrace every step along the way, because every step either moves you that much closer to reaching your goals, or sends you veering off the path to success, depending on each decision you make.

So, why are so many people trying to fast forward through the process?

I see it so often — restricting calorie intake to a potentially dangerous level, training way too hard too early and too often, using non-traditional methods to lose weight, such as injections and procedures, without learning how to live a healthy lifestyle that will carry them through the rest of their lives.

(Don’t even get me started on the last one!)

Simply, I see the need to be impatient to see the journey through from start to finish. I understand that. I lived that for two decades.

I stopped and started, stopped and started, stopped and started again because I wasn’t in it for the long haul. I tried to accomplish everything I wanted to do all at once – all the weight loss, all the muscle gain, all the energy. Even all the mental and emotional health that goes along with it, if the health and wellness program is truly rock solid.

I lost tons of weight, likely hundreds of pounds, during my early adult years – only to gain them all back and more, as soon as I burned myself out from

tackling a program that was simply too much for me to handle at that stage of my journey.

Those failed attempts due to my impatience are the only regrets I have on this ongoing journey to transforming my life. It takes time to regain the quality of life you want on the road to living a long and healthy life. But it’s worth every second.

True quality health and wellness is a lifetime commitment, with much of that time spent quietly behind the scenes being consistent and intentional while knowing we’re not guaranteed anything.

We do the work as best we can each day without any visible results for a long time. But we remain committed to the process, to the journey we’ve chosen to make.

And since it’s the long game, we feel all those aforementioned feelings – being uncomfortable, frustration, thoughts of quitting, and yes even impatience.

No matter what route you take, no matter what traditional or non-traditional method of health and wellness you choose to follow, these are all part of the long game. We still have to play that game if we want to win. If you continue doing the work the right

way, frustration will eventually become elation. That’s what happens when you win.

Which, the more I think about it, is how the Fernandes Fit Way was born, and why I wholeheartedly believe #FitnessIsOurBusiness is more than a hashtag or mantra.

It’s a way of life — because our life depends on it.

Fitness is the only job we can’t retire from, because the only way to benefit from it is to keep doing it every day until our time here on earth is complete. Yet so many of us try to race through it in hopes of getting to the finish line –their goals – faster.

That’s a road to nowhere that simply puts further behind in our quest to accomplish our goals. So set those goals. Believe you can achieve them. Make them happen.

But remember, success in anything we do in life doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes patience. And consistency, discipline, and determination.

And if you need help laying out the best plan of action along the way, I’m here to help.

Contact me at 814.504.7774 or by email at info@fernandesfit.com to get started.

You can also get more information on my website at fernandesfit.com.

Art Beat

Pottery For Good Empty Bowls--Nourishing Hearts with Art

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARLA EDSTROM

Join us in celebrating community, creativity, and compassion at the 2025 Empty Bowls event, Oct. 14, from 11 am to 2 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 East Nash St., Southport. Empty Bowls brings together local businesses, artisans, and community members to fight hunger and support the arts, all with a bowl of soup and a handmade treasure in hand.

With each ticket purchase, you’ll receive:

* One handcrafted bowl lovingly created and donated by local potters and artists.

* A delicious bowl of soup, crafted by local restaurants and community groups.

* The knowledge that your support is helping to nourish our neighbors and inspire the arts.

For the past 30 years, The Associated Artists of Southport has been hosting Empty Bowls fundraisers in our community. The Empty Bowls program is a global movement that began in 1990, initiated by Michigan art teachers John Hartom and Lisa Blackburn to

combat hunger. In this program, potters create handmade bowls, which are used for a fundraising luncheon. Attendees pay for their meal and can choose and take home their own handcrafted bowl as a reminder of the empty bowls in their community. All proceeds from the event benefit local food banks and charities. What started as an initial event has evolved into an international effort that involves artists, students, restaurants, and community organizations around the world.

“I have been involved with Empty Bowls since the early 2000s in the Triad area,” said Charleea Yarbrough, AAS Empty Bowls chairperson and

local potter. “When moving to South port, I became a member of Franklin Square Gallery and volunteered for the event in 2017. This year, driven by my passion to fight food insecurity, I chaired the event. Marybeth Johnson and I, along with our entire gallery, have dedicated a year to this cause. We host this event every four years, with the fundraiser in 2021 reduced to selling bowls only due to COVID-19,” she said. “During our 2017 event, we sold 817 bowls with all proceeds benefiting local food banks, Mathews Ministries, OISPT Food bank, and Brunswick Family Assistance. Our goal is to sell 1200 bowls for this event.”

“Initially, the event was held at Southport Gym Community Building behind the gallery, but it was moved to Trinity United Methodist Church in 2013. Artists from all of Brunswick County have created bowls, painters have additionally painted bowls at “paint parties” that included AAS

members, and individual artists in our area have also donated their talent,” she said. “Empty Bowls is truly a com

munity effort to fight food insecurity, one bowl at a time.”

According to Charleea, this year there are many more raffles and silent auction items, including a $1,000 gift certificate to a spa treatment, boat tours, golf rounds, original artwork, gift certificates, baskets, and more. Many superb restaurants in our area are donating soup meals for the event, including Mr. P’s Bistro, Salt 64, Southern-A Gathering Place, Oliver’s, Frying Pan, Blue Cow Grille, Royal James Rummery, Dry Street Pizza, Carolina Coastal Cafe, Purple Onion Catering, Falcones Pizzeria, Lazy Turtle, Oak Island Sub Shop, Shagger Jacks, Duffers, Tranquil Harbour, Rusty Hooks, Joseph’s Italian Bistro, Swains Restaurant and Cut, The Clubs at St James, Bella Cucina, Cafe Koa, Los Primos, Bald Head Coffee, and Port City Java. This year, local personalities will also be volunteering to serve the soup.

To Purchase Tickets

www.franklinsquaregallery.com

Tickets can also be purchased in person at Franklin Square Gallery and Ricky Evans in Southport.

All proceeds benefit Mathews Ministry, Oak Island Southport Food Band, and Brunswick Family Assistance.

CALENDAR

Our calendar is full of information from all of Brunswick County. We publish three magazines — Leland Magazine, Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine, and Southport Magazine. We love collecting details about all the of the fun events from all across our county and we think that everyone in the county, no matter which magazine they read, should be able to see all of the opportunities our community offers. We hope you’ll find something unexpected in this month’s Calendar and we really encourage you to hop in the car and go to something you’ve never experienced before.

September

SEPT 3

SEPT 21

Low Country Boil - Museum of Coastal Carolina

Enjoy coastal cuisine, drinks, lawn games, and live music from guitarist Johnny White. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. The festivities are 4:30-7 pm. Visit museumplanetarium.org.

SEPT 24

Fire Truck Push-In Ceremony - Leland

Help settle Leland’s new fire truck into its home at Station 52, 1379 River Road SE, Leland. The ceremony starts at 10 am, and attendees can also tour the station.

SEPT 25

Battle of the Bowls

Leland’s fire and police departments face off in this chili cook off. Attendees can vote for their favorite with a donation of a non-perishable food item. There will also be live bluegrass music and an artisans market; the event is 6-8 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

SEPT 25

Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament

This annual tournament will be at The Thistle Golf Club, 1815 Ole Thistle Club Road, Sunset Beach. The day promises a day of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit, all while supporting a great cause. Shotgun start at 8:30 am and registration begins at 7:15 am. Visit https://brunswickcountyhabitat.org/ golf/ to register.

SEPT 27

Brunswick Heritage Riverside Ride

This 5th annual bicycle event is a 16mile ride along the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor. There is no cost to ride. Check in is between 6:45 am and 7:30 am at Phoenix Park, 2727 Mount Misery Road, Navassa, and the ride starts at 7:3 am.

SEPT

3rd Annual Fall Food Truck Festival

Sample all the tasty treat from participating food vendors at this annul festival. The event is 11 am to 3 pm at Ocean Isle Beach’s Town Center Park, 11 E. 2nd St. The rain date I Sept 28, if needed.

SEPT 30

8-Count Swing Dance

Learn the quintessential move in swing dance - the swing out! Get comfortable moving to jazz, dancing on the social floor, and expanding your dance vocabulary. All levels of dancers are welcome — come with dance shoes or shoes that slide on hard floors. The dance is 7:15-8:30 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

OCT

Operation Medicine Cabinet - Dosher Memorial Hospital

Drop off expired and unused medication at this drive-through collection event at the hospital’s front entrance, 924 N. Howe St., Southport. Drop off medicines from 9 am to 1 pm.

OCT 4

Sunset on Sunset Festival

Enjoy a day of music, art, food and family-friendly fun at this end of season celebration at Sunset Beach Park, 200 Sunset Blvd N. The festival is 10 am to 4 pm and will include children’s activities and shuttle buses for transportation.

OCT 3

30th Anniversary - Communities In Schools

Celebrate 30 years with CIS! Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner and dessert, music and dancing with The Beehive Blonds DJ group, and a fun photo bus experience. Beer, wine, and soft drinks will be available throughout the evening. The event will also feature a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and an inspiring look at the impact of Communities In Schools programs on local students. This event will help raise funds to continue CIS dropout prevention programming in nine local schools, serving over 600 Brunswick County students each school year. The celebration is 6-1 pm at the Southport Community Building, 223 East Bay St. Visit https:// secure.lglforms.com/form.../s/UAgcBMcrqya2CKAZnbgeeQ for more information and for tickets.

OCT 3

Leland a Hand in Leland

This community-side day of service brings together individuals and organizations to make a positive impact in the community. Projects will be completed from 8:30 am to noon at various locations; visit https://www.townofleland. com/lendahand to register for a project.

OCT 7

National Night Out - Leland

Get to know Leland’s law enforcement officers a little better, while enjoying treats from food trucks and browsing among vendors. The event is 5-8 pm at Northwest District Park, 1938 Andrew Jackson Highway (U.S. 74/76).

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Boiling Spring Lakes Concerts in the Park

Spring Lake Park, 210 Pine Road (6-8 pm)

Sept 5 — 17 South (5-7 pm)

Sept 12 — Hoods Creek (6-8 pm)

Oak Island Concerts

Middleton Park Fields, Dolphin Drive and SE 46th Street (6:30-8:30 pm)

Sept 6 — Sunset on Summer Music Festival, featuring music from Hoods Creek, North Tower, Departure (Journey tribute band) and Deep Creek Soul. Music will be on two stages, and the even is from noon to 8 pm, ending with fireworks.

Oct 4 — the Live and Local fall series kicks off with food and craft vendors starting at 4 pm, and music from The Back Porch Rockers starting at 6 pm.

Movies on the Lawn - Southport Garrison Lawn, starting at 7:20 pm/ dusk

203 E. Bay Street

Sept 12 — “Moana 2”

Family Movie Night

Belville Riverwalk Park

584 River Road SE, Belville

Sept 19 — “Pirates of the Caribbean— Curse of the Black Pearl”

Shallotte Summer Concerts

Mulberry Park, 123 Mulberry St.

Sept 4 — The Extraordinaires

Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College

701 N. Third St., Wilmington

Sept 9 — One Night of Queen

Sept 10 — Tower of Power

Sept 11 — Choir! Choir! Choir!

Sept 13 — Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Sept 18 — The Robert Cray Band

Sept 19 — Ziggy Marley & Burning Spear

Sept 20 — Wilmington Symphony Orchestra - Opening Night with new Music Director Peter Askim

Sept 23 — Avitar: The Last Airbender in Concert

Sept 26-27 — Mark Twain Tonight! with Richard Thomas

Sept 28 — MasterChef All-Stars Live!

Sept 29 — Soweto Gospel Choir

shallottemag.com /September 2025/ Shallotte and South Brunswick Islands Magazine

Oct 2 — Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

Oct 9 — The North Carolina Symphony presents All Beethoven

Oct 11 — The Voice of Whitney

Oct 14 — Ami Bruni

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

Thalian Hall

310 Chestnut St., Wilmington

Sept 1-19 — Cape Fear Arts in Motion from Forward Motion Dance

Sept 26 - Oct 5 — The Thalian Association Community Theater presents “The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Oct 1 — Mohamed Abozekry

Oct 11 — Gunhild Carling

Check https://www.thalianhall.org/ calendar for more information.

Greenfield lake Amphitheater

1941 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington

Sept 14 — The Runarounds

Sept 17 — Vance Joy

Sept 18-19 — Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Sept 20 — Kaleo

Sept 21 — The Brook & The Bluff

Sept 22-23 — Maren Morris

Sept 25 — Molly Tuttle

Sept 26 — Steep Canyon Rangers

Sept 27 — Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

Oct 2 — JJ Grey and Mofro

Oct 3 — Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

Oct 5 — The 502s - Easy Street Tour

Oct 10 — Blackberry Smoke

Oct 11 — American Aquarium

Oct 12 — Phantogram

Visit greenfieldlakeamphitear.com for more information.

Live Oak Bank Pavilion

10 Cowan St., Wilmington

Sept 12 — Billy Currington & Kip Moore

Sept 17 — Vance Joy

Sept 30 — Lake Street Drive

Oct 3 — Gavin Adcock

Oct 12 — Lukas Nelson - The American Romance Tour with Stephen Wilson Jr.

OPEN AIR MARKETS

Sunset Beach Town Park

206 Sunset Blvd North

The Market is held from 9 am to 1 pm on Thursdays at the park (on the mainland by the bridge). The market runs through Sept 25

Belville Riverwalk Farmers Market

Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road, Belville

Shop for produce, ice cream, and fresh seafood, seasonings and all things related to seafood, with the beautiful backdrop of the Brunswick River. Hours are Fridays 10 am to 6 pm; and Sundays 11 am to 3 pm, except ice cream is available every day.

Mulberry Market — Shallotte

Shop for arts, crafts, and more at Shallotte’s Market on Sept. 20, 10 am to 2 pm at Mulberry Park, 123 Mulberry Street.

4th Friday Art Market

Shop among 30-plus vendors, eat, dance and enjoy spending time with friends and neighbors at this monthly market next to Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar (1175 Turlington Avenue, in Brunswick Forest). The market is open from 4-8 pm.!

ONGOING EVENTS

Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island

The Libraries are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am - 6 pm; and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. The Once More used bookstore, at Southport Realty (727 N. Howe St.), with new-to-you books, is open Monday

CALENDAR

through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm and Saturdays 10 am to noon. Visit https:// folsoi.org/blog/ for information on summer youth programs.

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

Harper Library, 109 W. Moore St., Southport: Call 910-457-6237 to register for programs. One-on-one tech support is offered on Thursdays, 1-3 pm.

NC Maritime Museums - Southport

204 E. Moore St.

Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. Sensory Saturdays (low light and quiet time in the museum) are the first Saturday of the month, 10 am to noon. This month’s Skipper’s Crew children’s program, 10 am to 3 pm, will have museum visitors making Venus flytrap sock puppets! Visit www. ncmaritimemuseum.com to register for special programs.

Historic Bike Tours in Southport

Tour historic Southport on bike with the Adventure Kayak Company, Inc. Tours can be for parties of four or more. Call 910-454-0607 or visit www.theadventurecompany.net.

Oak Island Recreation Department

Join the Striders Club at various locations and dates/times to get out and about with a group or try your hand at art with the Paintbrush Academy. There are book clubs, kayak tours in the Davis Canal, surf fishing lessons, and much more. Visit https://parksrec.egov. basgov.com/oakislandnc for details on programs.

Franklin Square Art Gallery

The Gallery is open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday and can be found at 130 E. West St., next to Franklin Square Park. The summer art show is on exhibit June 23-July 19. The sum-

mer lectures are 3-5 pm, with The Macchiaoli: Italian Impressionism on July 9 and Art in the Digital Age on July 23.

First Friday Gallery Walk — Southport

The First Friday Gallery Walk is 5-7 pm in Southport at participating galleries, such as Lantana’s, The Rickey Evans Gallery, the Franklin Square Art Gallery, Artisans on Howe and the Intracoastal Realty Downtown Southport Office. Stroll along and browse in the shops to see what local artists have to offer.

Bingo at the Elks Lodge — Oak Island

Bingo games are on the second and fourth Tuesdays at the Lodge, 106 E. Dolphin Drive, Oak Island. Games are open to the public; no one under 16 and no outside food or drinks allowed. Doors open to the public at 5:45 pm with games starting at 6:30 pm. Snacks and drinks available for purchase (cash or checks only). Progressive Jackpot and winner take all coverall.

Battleship North Carolina — near Leland

Tour the USS NORTH CAROLINA and participate in group programs and special programming throughout the year. Battleship Alive is scheduled for Sept. 27, when visitors can interact with World War II living history interpreters as they bring the Ship to life by re-enacting daily duties and drills. Visit https://battleshipnc.com/. The battleship site is at 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington (west side of the Cape Fear River).

Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site

8884 St. Philips Rd. SE, Winnabow

There is plenty to do and see, with a museum, historic ruins, great information on the site’s history, and some of the most beautiful riverfront property in the County. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Carolina Blues: Indigo on the Cape Fear is set for Sept 27, and visitors will have a chance to view and work an active fermentation

vat, and dyeing demonstrations will occur throughout the course of the program. T-shirts will also be available for purchase for visitors to try their hand at resist dyeing..

.Museum of Coastal Carolina

21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach

The Museum is open Mondays through Fridays, 10 am to 4 pm (until 7 pm Tuesday and Thursday) and Sundays from noon until 4 pm. Sandbar lectures are every Tuesday at 6 pm. Snakes Alive is on Thursdays at 6 pm. The touch tank is open Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, 11 am to noon..

Ingram Planetarium

7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach

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

Leland Library

487 Village Road NE

Baby storytime is at 10 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Pre-K and older storytime is at 11 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

4th Friday Art Market

Town of Leland/Parks & Recreation

Check out https://www.townofleland.com/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources for more information on classes and programs, including starting an art journal, pottery, gardening, writing creative nonfiction, acting, dance and more.

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Wilmington River Tours

212 S. Water St., Wilmington

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

Art League of Leland (ALL) at the Leland Cultural Arts Center

The group welcomes artists of all kinds and meets monthly (except in summer months) 4-6 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

Don’t see your event or location listed? Try as we might, we don’t catch everything, so to be sure to be included send your events to lisa@southportmag.com before the 20th of each month! --Thank you!

Looking for something to do besides going to the beach? Here you’ll find lots of fun for the entire family. Be sure to check before you go as hours may change and some attractions may be seasonal

Attractions

INGRAM PLANETARIUM

7625 High Market Street

Sunset Beach (mainland)

https://museumplanetarium.org/ingram-planetarium/

Enjoy musical laser shows and learn more about the night sky; check website for schedule and tickets. Hands-on activities and interactive displays are available in the Paul Dennis Science Center, and admission to the Center is free.

MUSEUM OF COASTAL CAROLINA

21 E. 2nd St.

Ocean Isle Beach

https://museumplanetarium.org/

Learn more about our coastal environment, with a live touch tank, saltwater aquariums, interactive exhibits, lectures and family programs. The Mu-

Attractions Guide

seum is open 10 am to 4 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 5-7 pm on the second Tuesday for sandbar lectures.

SHALLOTTE RIVER SWAMP PARK

5550 Watts Road SW Ocean Isle Beach (mainland)

https://www.shallotteriverswamppark. com/

This adventure park features zip line tours, an aerial park, guided ATV tours and eco-tours on a swamp boat.

PLANET FUN/STARZ GRILL

349 Whiteville Road

Shallotte

https://planetfuncenter.com/

This family entertainment center offers arcade games, laser tag, and bowling (including cosmic bowling on weekends), many TVs for watching all the games, and a restaurant.

SHALLOTTE RIVERWALK

Gazebos at 159 Cheers St. and 146 Wall St.

The Riverwalk is open from dawn to dusk, and features a quarter mile boardwalk, gazebos at each end and beautiful views of the Shallotte River.

OLD BRIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

109 Shoreline Drive West Sunset Beach (mainland) http://www.theoldbridge.org/

The old swing bridge that used to connect Sunset Beach to the mainland has been preserved as a museum. The Museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm, with stories about the Sunset Beach Swing Bridge tender house, local history, and more.

STUMP HILL FARMS

2030 Ash-Little River Road NW

Ash

https://www.stumphillfarms.com/

The farm is open on Saturdays in April and October, and by appointment or for special events other times of year, with hay rides, games for children, and educational opportunities covering bee pollination and local crops.

GRAYCE WYNDS FARM AND THE WILD HORSE RESERVE AT GRAYCE WYNDS

2450 Grayce Wynds Drive Supply, NC 28462

Visit the farm, take a guided tour, or participate in special events. Check https://www.graycewyndsfarm.com/ for tours available and events.

SILVERY COAST WINERY

6680 Barbeque Road

Ocean Isle Beach https://silvercoastwinery.com/

Winery tours, tastings, and shop for wine accessories and gifts; event rental space also available.

OCEAN ISLE MINI GOLF

6391 Beach Drive SW

Ocean Isle Beach http://oceanisleminigolf.com

TREASURE ISLAND MINIATURE GOLF

3445 Holden Beach Rd.

Holden Beach (910) 842-4878

Parks

There are so many great spots to get out and enjoy this beautiful county. We’ve listed a few of the main parks here, but keep an eye out for smaller pocket parks and water access areas.

HOLDEN BEACH PAVILION AND BRIDGEVIEW PARK

The Pavilion is tucked in next to the west side of the bridge on the island, and Bridgeview Park is a couple blocks down the Intracoastal Waterway, at Davis Street.

TOWN CENTER PARK

11 E. Second St.

Ocean Isle Beach

This town park has an amphitheater, interactive fountain, bocce ball court, playground, and plenty of bike parking.

SHALLOTTE PARK

5550 Main St.

Ball fields, tennis courts, basketball court, a playground, picnic shelters and a dog park.

MULBERRY STREET PARK

123 Mulberry Street

Shallotte

Picnic shelters, an amphitheater, and home to Shallotte’s outdoor markets

SUNSET BEACH TOWN PARK

Sunset Boulevard North (mainland) Stroll through five acres of live oaks along the Intracoastal Waterway, sit a spell on a bench, do some fishing or visit the Veterans Memorial.

Go Under The Sea at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach

OCEAN ISLE BEACH PARK

6483 Old Georgetown Road

The Park features 2 playgrounds, eight tennis courts, four pickleball courts, baseball and softball fields, a dog park, basketball courts, an amphitheater, picnic shelter and a multipurpose field for soccer/football with walking trail and fitness stations.

WACCAMAW PARK

5855 Waccamaw School Road NW, Ash

This park features ball fields, basketball court, tennis courts, playground, bocce ball and a nine-hole disc golf course.

Fishing Piers

SUNSET BEACH FISHING PIER

101 W. Main St. Sunset Beach http://sunsetbeachpier.com/

OCEAN ISLE BEACH PIER

1 W. First St. Ocean Isle Beach https://oibpier.com/

CAROLINAS COASTAL ADVENTURE TOURS

2000 Sommerset Road SW

Ocean Isle Beach (mainland) https://www.ccattours.com/

SALT FEVER GUIDE SERVICE

21 Causeway Drive

Ocean Isle Beach

https://www.saltfeverguideservice. com/

HURRICANE FLEET - LEAVES FROM THE CALABASH WATERFRONT

https://hurricanefleet.com/

CALABASH FISHING FLEET

9945 Nance St.

Calabash

https://calabashfishingfleet.com/

HOLDEN BEACH FISHING

https://www.holdenbeachfishing.com/

HOLDEN BEACH WATERSPORTS

3325 Old Ferry Road SW

Holden Beach

https://www.holdenbeachwatersports. com/index.html

Fishing Charters

Boat Tours

Boat Rentals

OCEAN ISLE FISHING CENTER

65 Causeway Drive

Ocean Isle Beach

https://www.oifc.com/

TOUR H2O

Locations in Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Southport https://tourh2o.com/

BLUE PLANET WATERSPORTS

7156 Beach Drive

Ocean Isle Beach

https://blueplanetwatersports.com/

HOLDEN BEACH JET SKI RENTALS

1305 Cedar Landing Road SW Supply

https://www.holdenbeachjetski.com

SORTA SALTY FISHING CHARTERS

Holden Beach

https://sortasalty.com

OLLIE RAJA CHARTERS

3238 Pompano St. SW

Holden Beach/Oak Island

https://holdenbeachfishingcharters. com/ Mon-Sat 10:30am-5pm • 619 N. Howe • Southport, NC 910-363-6939 • www.MadRiverDesigns.com Making The Rooms You Live In The Rooms You Love