Coastal Carolina Camera Club connects photographers and community through the power of images, storytelling and service.
Coastal Carolina Camera Club connects photographers and community through the power of images, storytelling and service.
When back pain won’t let up, you shouldn’t have to wait weeks just to be seen. At Novant Health, faster appointments mean you get answers sooner. And if it’s time for surgery, real-time 3D imaging guides your surgeon’s every move for greater precision and faster recovery. For the gold standard in spine surgery, you want Novant. NovantHealth.org/Spine
Best surgeons. Amazing nurses. Remarkable care.
Coastal Carolina Camera Club connects photographers and community through the power of images, storytelling and service. 68
MADE BY HAND
From chunky blankets to kids’ camps, AR Workshop makes hands-on creativity approachable, social and fun.
Sea Trail Assistant Golf Professional Cameryn Smith grew up on Brunswick County fairways. Now she’s helping golfers find confidence on the course and creating space for more women in the game.
Part of the greater Special Olympics movement, Brunswick County Special Olympics serves more than 1,000 athletes, giving a joy that is about much more than sports.
When Ida Gaines walked into Brunswick County Literacy Council looking for tutoring, she did not expect to discover she was a poet.
Brunswick County’s new bookmobile brings books, technology and programs directly to neighborhoods, childcare centers and community events across the county.
A bar with a view, Waterway Tavern in the Clubhouse at Brick Landing brings a new neighborhood watering hole to Ocean Isle Beach.
With After Hours Jazz, six accomplished musicians bring improvisation, artistry and timeless standards to audiences across Brunswick County.
The new executive director of Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, Susan Barnes has built a life around curiosity, community and saying yes.
PHOTO BY JAMES STEFIUK
Summer 2026 | Volume 17, Issue 4
OWNER/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: Sandi Grigg
COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison
ART DIRECTOR: Teresa Kramer
CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Samantha Lowe
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Brian Wilner
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Bill Markowitz
MULTIMEDIA CREATOR: Betsy Schlehuber
SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR: Caroline Thomas
SALES & MARKETING INTERN: Sydney Yoch
COMMUNITY & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR: Quinn Cook
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Charlie Baggett Megan Deitz H ilary Halliwell
A line Harrell Katie D Photography Dave Kilgore
John Medeiros Jo Ann Mathews Matt McGraw Frank Pepp Peter Riekstins Bill Ritenour
Ellen Sheehan Tim Sheehan Harold Sisken
Z eb Starnes James Stefiuk M ichelle Tinger
Brenda Torrey C asey Lauren Townsend
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
E d Beckley Kurt Epps Sandi Grigg
B eth A. Klahre Jo Ann Mathews T heresa Ravencraft B esty Schlehuber Melissa Slaven Warren
PUBLISHED BY:
CAROLINA MARKETING COMPANY, INC. PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 207-0156 • info@southbrunswickmagazine.com
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:
Local photographer Michelle Tinger captured our cover image of the Calabash waterfront for this edition. Tinger's photo accompanies an article about Coastal Carolina Camera Club, which starts on page 54 and includes photographs from many other local photographers.
ONE SCREENING.
Early detection of lung cancer can be life-saving. Many patients show no symptoms in the initial stages, often going years undiagnosed. The McLeod Health Lung Cancer Screening Program focuses on high-risk individuals with a history of smoking, using Low-Dose CT scans to identify cancer sooner. This early intervention greatly increases survival chances, preserving precious time with loved ones.
SCREENING CRITERIA:
Any individual between the ages of 50 to 80 who:
• Has a smoking history of at least 1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years
• Still smokes or has this history but stopped smoking in the last 15 years
• Does not currently exhibit any symptoms of lung cancer
Medicare and most private insurance companies cover the cost of the Low-Dose CT scan if you meet the criteria for a lung cancer screening.
Reader/Advertising Services
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Back Issues
When available, back issues of SBM can be purchased for $5. Call or email us for
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.
Change of Address
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Advertising
Interested in advertising in SBM? Please contact us to set up a meeting with an Account Executive. Our main office number is (910) 207-0156, or you can email us at advertise@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com.
Marketing Services
Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. provides a wide range of marketing services. This includes advertising design services, custom publications, mailing services and more. Contact our office for additional information or to set up a meeting with a Marketing Consultant.
LifeinBrunswickCounty.com
Visit us online at the above website. With any additional questions, call us at (910) 207-0156.
LIVE WITH THE RHYTHM OF THE COAST
WELCOME TO WATERWAY: A WALKABLE COASTAL COMMUNITY ON THE NC COAST
Moments from the beach in the charming city of Southport, North Carolina, Waterway is a remarkable place designed for how you want to live at every stage of life: active, connected, and balanced. Whether you prefer a waterfront condo, a townhome, or to build on a custom site with one of our local builders, at Waterway, you’ll find a community that’s rooted in nature and surrounded by historic charm. Here, elegance feels effortless, and each day brings new opportunities—with everything you need just a short walk or golf cart ride away.
POOL | MARINA | POCKET PARKS | WALKING TRAILS
KAYAK LAUNCH
We Can Always Count on Change
BBeach days to boat trips, mornings on the golf course to early evening music in the park, cool lemonade in the shade to al fresco dinners of fresh local shrimp — there’s so much to love about summer in Brunswick County.
Welcome to everyone visiting our beautiful islands! Locals might act like they have a love-hate relationship with summer, when the traffic picks up and the beaches and business are all a little more crowded, but we all know that your visitation supports our communities, and we are grateful that you’re here.
Speaking of gratitude, I am thankful for the opportunity to publish magazines like this one in southeastern North Carolina, something I’ve been doing for more than 20 years. I have seen a lot in the past two decades in South Brunswick County, and one thing’s for sure: evolution and change are inevitable.
One of the evolutions you’ll read about in this issue is happening at the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, which is welcoming new executive director Susan Barnes. You’ll also learn about new businesses, like AR Workshop and Waterway Tavern in Ocean Isle Beach. And you’ll meet some of the people who help shape this area into the best place it can be, like the folks behind Brunswick County Special Olympics and Brunswick County Literacy Council and the young assistant golf professional at Sea Trail Golf Resort.. Before I sign off, I would like to take a moment to recognize the passing of someone who meant a great deal to us here at Carolina Marketing Company — George Jacob. George was a valued member of our team for close to a
Above, SBM Publisher Justin Williams, center, with Thom Kelly, the new executive director of North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, and Susan Barnes, the new executive director of Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. Left, George Jacob, a longtime friend of ours at Carolina Marketing Company
Don’t miss a single thing.
South Brunswick County has so much to see and do all year round, and if you’re like me, it’s hard to keep track of it all. That’s why we created South Brunswick Lifestyle — an eNewsletter full of local events, places to see and people to meet.
Choosing to subscribe is probably the easiest decision you’ll make all day. Scanning the code below with your phone may be the second.
decade. He brought so much to this company, and the impact he made on all of us won’t be forgotten. He will be truly missed.
As always, please support the advertisers you see on these pages — they allow us to keep bringing you high-quality storytelling about Brunswick County. We’re always open to story ideas, feedback or anything else you’d like to share. Feel free to email me below.
Justin Williams Owner/Publisher
Justin@CarolinaMarketingCompany.com
JustinW13
SCAN ME or visit lifeinbrunswickcounty. com/subscribe
Want South Brunswick Magazine delivered to your door quarterly? lifeinbrunswickcounty. com/subscribe
PHOTO BY BILL RINTENOUR
PHOTO BY MATT MCGRAW
At Intracoastal Realty, we are proud of our unparalleled tradition as the area’s leading firm for properties of distinction. Built upon a history of expertise, integrity, and personalized service, our company is privileged to have represented generations of the most outstanding homeowners in the area.
Think all real estate agents achieve the same results? Think again. We’ve spent 50 years building our brand and reputation one handshake at a time. In today’s competitive marketplace, our agents continue to excel.
CHEERS TO 50 YEARS!
Quinn Cook
Ed Beckley
CONTRIBUTING WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER
I am an award-winning writer and photographer formerly of the Outer Banks and now residing in Ocean Isle Beach. After serving as a reporter, then city editor, of the Winsted Evening Citizen in Connecticut, I spent 26 years as a manager of public relations and marketing for Verizon Communications and former Bell System companies. I have worked as a freelance writer for several Outer Banks news services, including the Outer Banks Voice. I'm a lifetime accredited member of the International Association of Business Communicators. My photography has been displayed in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
COMMUNITY & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Originally from southwest Georgia, I relocated with my family to Wilmington, North Carolina, 16 years ago. We are proud to call the charming downtown neighborhood of Carolina Place home.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia, I spent more than a decade publishing my own magazine before making southeastern North Carolina my permanent home. Throughout my career, I have worked as a writer, editor, event coordinator and publisher, gaining experience across nearly every facet of the publishing industry. I am excited to join Carolina Marketing Company as Community & Engagement Coordinator, where I will help lead and support the company’s community initiatives while building meaningful relationships throughout the region. My passion is connecting people, fostering engagement and creating memorable events that strengthen our ties to the communities we serve.
Hilary Halliwell
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER & WRITER
I have more than 20 years of experience as a photographer, writer and editor. I hold an MA in Education from Salisbury University and an MFA in Fine Art and Commercial Photography from Montclair State University. My work has been showcased in various print and online publications. I also founded and served as managing editor of Salisbury University’s ReSearch Magazine. Before relocating to North Carolina in 2019, I developed training materials, created marketing content, edited textbooks and academic publications, and taught writing at Rutgers University. I am inspired by the people, places and natural beauty of coastal North Carolina and South Carolina.
Looking Back
Calabash Elks Lodge Donates to Canines for Service
The Calabash Elks Lodge Veterans Affairs Committee (VAC) recently donated $3,500 to Canines for Service, bringing the Lodge’s total cash support to $6,000. The effort was funded in part by a $2,000 Elks National Foundation (ENF) grant, with the remaining $4,000 raised through Lodge fundraising. In addition to cash donations, Lodge members contributed more than $2,000 in goods to support Canines for Service kennel operations through two initiatives: collecting gently used kennels and related materials for dogs in training, and donating food and other consumable supplies based on the organization’s wish list. With this combined support, the Lodge and its VAC have earned naming rights for a future foster dog in the Canines for Service program.
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Announces New Executive Director
Susan Barnes has been named the executive director of Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. Barnes previously served as the chamber’s event coordinator and community engagement lead, where she helped deliver key programs, support initiatives and strengthen relationships with members and partners across Brunswick County. Her background also included leadership roles with Silver Coast
Winery and experience across a range of industries along with ongoing nonprofit and community involvement. Barnes lives in Calabash and remains committed to supporting the local business community.
2026
Master Gardeners Class Welcomes 15 New Master Gardeners
The NC State Extension Master Gardeners program proudly welcomed 15 new Master Gardener Interns to the program for the 2026 gardening year. Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers (EMG) serve as an extension of NC State Cooperative Extension and NC State University, North Carolina’s land-grant institution. Through their service, they help advance their mission of public outreach and education by sharing researchbased gardening knowledge with the community.
Calabash Elks Lodge Donates to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Veterans Services
The Calabash Elks Lodge Veterans Affairs Committee (VAC) recently donated $2,500 to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Veteran Services. As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ We Honor Veterans program, this initiative supports hospice and palliative care patients and their families by helping them navigate veteran benefit options, answering questions and honoring each veteran’s service throughout their time with Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. The program is a collaborative effort between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Ten outstanding high school seniors from across the FOCUS Broadband service area have each been awarded a $2,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. Selected from a competitive pool of more than 85 applicants, recipients were recognized for their academic achievements, leadership, community involvement and dedication across both academic and professional settings. This year’s applicant pool demonstrated an incredible level of talent.
Michelle Ingram, FOCUS Broadband’s board liaison for the 2026 Scholarship Committee, shared her thoughts on this year’s program, stating, “These students’ drive, compassion and commitment to making a difference truly stood out. They represent the future of our communities, and we are proud to invest in their continued success.”
The 2026 FOCUS Broadband Scholarship recipients include:
ALLISON ARP of Whiteville High School plans to study exercise science at UNC-Chapel Hill.
ALEXANDER BRASWELL of James Kenan High School will study math education at the University of Mount Olive.
AVA BUNCH of John A. Holmes High School intends to major in business at NC State University.
JONAH CAMPBELL of North Brunswick High School plans to attend Barton College to study exercise science and play baseball.
NATHANIEL FISH of West Brunswick High School will attend Brigham Young University and is pursuing a degree in business.
SANIYAH GALLOWAY of South Brunswick High School will study business marketing at UNC Charlotte.
GAVIN GREGORY of West Brunswick High School plans to attend East Carolina University for nursing.
HAILEY MAREADY of East Duplin High School intends to major in nursing at UNC Wilmington.
SAMUEL MEARES of South Columbus High School will attend NC State University with plans to major in agronomy.
CAILYN STALLINGS of Perquimans High School plans to major in elementary education at East Carolina University.
Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity Speaks at the Seaside United Methodist Church Men’s Group
Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity recently spoke to the Men’s Group at Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach. Habitat for Humanity shared about its mission and volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested in having the Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity team speak to your group, contact Pastor Michael Frink at (910) 846-3357 or michaelf@bchabitat.org.
Sunset Vision Donates AED to Sunset Beach Police Department
Sunset Vision, a Sunset Beach nonprofit, recently learned that the Sunset Beach Police Department needed an additional AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Charter member Karen Dombrowski provided the funds through the Grace Trust to purchase the unit in honor of her parents, Ray and Carol Grace. The new AED will strengthen the department’s cardiac emergency response by expanding coverage in patrol vehicles.
Jonah Campbell
Gavin Gregory
Nathaniel Fish
Saniyah Galloway
BCC Hosts SECU Scholarship Ceremony
Brunswick Community College hosted State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) representatives for a scholarship ceremony at the Douglas Terhune Center for Culinary Arts. The event recognized:
Two SECU Foundation People Helping People Scholarship recipients: Trudy Tryas and Caroline Ruth Bailey
Eight SECU Bridge to Career Scholarship recipients: Aziyah Bryant, Lizeth Campos, Brenda Gutierrez, Zion Hankins, Adamari Lopez, Melinda Ore, Maryory RodriguezMejia and Kathryn Williams
SECU also presented an $18,000 check to support additional workforce training opportunities at BCC.
BCC
Receives Duke Energy Foundation Grant to
Strengthen Electrical Technician Training
Brunswick Community College received a $25,000 Workforce Development Grant from the Duke Energy Foundation as part of a $600,000 statewide investment to strengthen North Carolina’s energy workforce. BCC was one of 20 community colleges selected. The funding supports hands-on training, equipment, scholarships and program enhancements tied to the growing energy sector, including upgrades for BCC’s Electrical Technician program.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 Honors Winners of the 2026 Theresa McMahon Scholarship
NC Cooperative Extension Provides Food and Nutrition Lessons at Virginia Williamson Elementary Students across Brunswick County learned how to make healthier choices through hands-on lessons from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), initiated by NC Cooperative Extension. At Virginia Williamson Elementary School, the program’s impact was already evident in three of the six secondgrade classrooms that completed the lesson series. About 50 students participated in this initial group, with the remaining second-grade classes expected to finish by the end of April. Through interactive activities, taste tests and movement-based games, students learned about MyPlate, how to read nutrition labels and how food fueled their bodies. Teachers reported that students stayed engaged and began applying the lessons in everyday life.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary announced the 2026 Theresa McMahon Scholarship recipients. Four graduating seniors each received a $1,500 scholarship: Xavier Lehr (Cape Fear Community College), Katelyn Nicole Woodward (UNC Pembroke), Teagan Cassey (East Carolina University) and Gabriel Carte (Brunswick Community College). The scholarship recognized graduating seniors for community involvement, leadership, service or work history, scholastic achievement and recommendations. Funds were sent directly to each recipient’s school for the first semester. Scholarships were presented by committee members Julia Larson and Monica King, with Dorrie Mascolo serving as committee chair. The scholarship was established in memory of Theresa McMahon.
Local Veterans Enjoy a Morning of Fishing at Sunset Beach Pier
Six local veterans living at Arbor Landing Assisted Living recently enjoyed a fishing trip to the Sunset Beach Pier. The outing gave them time to take in the coastal scenery, fish and share stories from their military service. After the morning on the pier, the group returned to the Calabash Elks Lodge for lunch, where Lodge members welcomed the veterans and hosted the meal. Arbor Landing thanked the staff at Sunset Beach Pier and the Calabash Elks Lodge for their support in making the day possible.
Coastal Bridge Advisors Hosts Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce After Hours
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce held an After Hours event on April 22, hosted by Michael Mahoney with Coastal Bridge Advisors at Makai Brewing Company. The gathering offered a relaxed setting for local professionals to connect after the workday.
Hello Summe
Elsa Small Elizabeth Russ Justin Lee Kim Boyette
Robert Hucks Asia Stimpson Dixie Hegadore
Calabash Elks Lodge Donates to Brunswick Family Assistance
Following the recent Calabash Elks Charity Golf Tournament, members of the Calabash Elks Lodge presented a $3,250 check to Brunswick Family Assistance. The donation reflects the tournament’s success and the Elks’ continued commitment to supporting local individuals and families in need across Brunswick County.
Brunswick County Extension Brings Gardening to Local Schools
Brunswick County Cooperative Extension cultivated a countywide effort to bring hands-on gardening education to local students. Through a collaborative initiative between the 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and horticulture teams, the program provides schools with gardening equipment and on-site instruction to help students learn where their food comes from. The program reached seven schools across the county: Supply Elementary, Virginia Williamson Elementary, Waccamaw Elementary, Cedar Grove Middle School, The Coast Academy, Bellville Elementary and Town Creek Elementary. At each site, Extension staff worked with students and teachers to establish gardens and support their long-term use as educational tools. The program aims to expand to every school in Brunswick County by integrating garden spaces and agricultural education into school environments and creating experiential learning tied to nutrition, science and the natural world. Schools, teachers and parent groups interested in participating were encouraged to contact the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension via brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu office for more information.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary Awards Prizes in Patriotic Art Contest
Four Union Elementary students were prize winners in the 2025/26 VFW Auxiliary National Art Contest called Illustrating America. The children share nearly $300 in prize money. In all, 29 students from two local elementary schools participated. On April 16 VFW Auxiliary President Cathy Milstead and Patriotic Art Coordinator Julia Larsen presented checks and certificates to the winners:
1st Place (K–2): Fiona Graham, 2nd grade
1st Place (3–5): Amari Gore, 5th grade
2nd Place (3–5): Mason White, 5th grade
3rd Place (3–5): Colton Brooks, 5th grade
Held annually, the contest encourages students in grades K–8, including public, private, homeschool and parochial programs, to express patriotism through art.
Christian Recovery Center Thrift Store Opens in Shallotte
On April 14 Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Christian Recovery Center Thrift Store in Shallotte. The Shallotte store is at 4536 Main Street. Also look for stores at 1680 Seaside Road SW in Ocean Isle Beach and at 593 Holden Beach Road SW in Shallotte.
Brunswick Community College Named One of the 2026 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges
Brunswick Community College (BCC) was named one of the 2026 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges, a national honor presented by The EDU Ledger in partnership with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). BCC was one of 27 colleges nationwide to receive the recognition and the only North Carolina community college on the 2026 list. Award recipients were featured in the May 7 issue of The EDU Ledger and recognized at the NISOD Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, in May.
Loggerhead Liftoff 5K Beach Run Raises Funds for Sunset Beach Turtle Patrol
The second annual Loggerhead Liftoff 5K Beach Run on May 9, produced by SOHO Running Club, brought runners, families and supporters to Sunset Beach and raised funds for Sunset Beach Turtle Patrol. Participants traveled from states including New York, Ohio and Tennessee to take part in the beach race. The event also included a 100-yard Turtle Dash for children. Proceeds supported the Sunset Beach Turtle Patrol’s work protecting sea turtle nests and educating the community.
McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research’s Reports First-Year Results
The McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research in Horry County reported first-year results after opening in May 2025 as the county’s only comprehensive cancer center, with treatment services offered in one location.
First-year milestones included:
881 new oncology patients treated
1,257 new hematology patients diagnosed
16,454 infusion treatments administered
10,893 oncology and hematology follow-up visits completed
1,420 PET scans performed
406 radiation oncology patients treated
The center, located on the campus of McLeod Health Seacoast in Little River, offers medical oncology, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, radiation oncology, PET imaging and access to clinical research trials. McLeod Cancer Centers are accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
Coastal Development & Realty Holds Ribbon Cutting at Holden Beach Office
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribboncutting ceremony for Coastal Development & Realty on May 21. The office is at 131 Ocean Boulevard W. in Holden Beach.
WHAT’S HAPPENED
Brunswick
County Chamber of Commerce May Business
After Hours Held at Oak Harbor Village
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce May Business After Hours was held at Oak Harbor Village. The event provided an opportunity for chamber members to connect and network in a relaxed setting. Special thanks to Oak Harbor Village and hosts Patrick Tolley and Tara Reichley for their hospitality and for welcoming members into the community.
Coldwell
Banker Sea Coast Advantage Announces New Office in Holden Beach
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage has opened a new office in Holden Beach at 1111 Sabbath Home Road near the causeway. The fully renovated building expands the company’s presence in the area and supports its continued service to Brunswick County. The Holden Beach office continues to be led by Managing Broker Shelly Morrow with Denise Kinney serving as president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage.
Mark Your Calendar
LPGA Amateur Golf Association Cape Fear/ Wilmington NC
July through September
Are you looking for a community of women to play golf with?
The LGPA Amateur Golf Association Cape Fear/Wilmington NC connects women golfers for play, education and golf events for all abilities. Here are come upcoming golf events for women.
July 18: 8 am, $47, The Links at Brick Landing, Ocean Isle
July 21: 8:50 am, $50, Sandpiper Bay, Sunset Beach
August 1: 8:30 am $50, The Vineyard at White Lake, Elizabethtown
August 15: 9 am, $49, Oyster Bay II Golf Links, Sunset Beach
August 29: 8:36 am, $50, Brunswick Plantation, Calabash
September 1: 9 am, $51, Oyster Bay Golf Links, Sunset Beach
September 12: 10:50 am, $67, River’s Edge Golf Club, Shallotte
Every Thursday: 11:30 am (18 holes); 4:30 (9 holes with option to dine afterwards), Beau Rivage Golf, Wilmington 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month: 10 am, 9 holes ($20) or 18 holes ($39), Ironclad Golf, Hampstead
New members can play twice before joining to determine if the group is the right fit for them.
Information: lpgaamateurswilmingtonnc.com
Kids’ Summer Fun in Ocean Isle Beach
August 12
This summer Ocean Isle Beach is hosting parties for kids’ and families at the Amphitheater at Town Center Park. On Wednesday, August 12 from 10 am to noon, bring the whole family to the Under the Sea Party for dancing, games, photo ops and oceanthemed activities, plus plenty of music, laughter and under-the-sea adventure.
Information: oibgov.com/20937/kids-summer-fun
Brunsco Classic Golf Tournament
August 28
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce’s Brunsco Classic Golf Tournament returns Friday, August 28 at the beautiful Sea Trail Golf Resort in Sunset Beach. This annual favorite brings together local businesses for a day of friendly competition, networking, raffles and exclusive giveaways on one of Brunswick County’s premier courses. Makai Brewing serves as Presenting Sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. Start rounding up your four-person team and get ready for a great day on the greens.
Old Folks Rock™ invites the community to the First Annual Poker Run, a fun-filled day of riding, cards and good vibes across Brunswick County. Motorcycles, Jeeps, cars and more will make scenic stops to draw cards and build the best poker hand for a chance to win prizes, ending with a final gathering at Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in Leland with live music and the winner announcement. Proceeds benefit Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc., supporting meals, transportation and vital services for local seniors.
Held the first Saturday in October from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunset at Sunset is the Town of Sunset Beach’s free Community Block Party. Now in its ninth year, the festival fills the area between the Food Lion shopping center and the Ingram Planetarium with 100+ vendors, including artists and writers, local nonprofits, community groups, wineries, restaurants and more. Expect great food, beach music all day (with plenty of chances to shag) and a fun lineup of activities like the annual photography contest and the popular 5K Run/Walk over the Mannon C. Gore Bridge. In case of rain, the event will be held on October 10.
Explore the world in a day at the Brunswick County Intercultural Festival on Saturday, October 10. Learn about world cultures while enjoying a full day of music and dance, the International Village and craft and food vendors at Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way in Leland. Food vendors, cultural arts vendors, international village exhibitors, cultural performers and community nonprofit partners can join the festival via the website.
Information: bcifestival.org
45th Annual NC Oyster Festival
October 17 & 18
Celebrate all things oyster as the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce transforms Ocean Isle Beach’s Town Center Park into a walkable festival district packed with food, crafts, contests and live music. With support from dedicated volunteers, the Town of Ocean Isle Beach and local businesses, the 45th NC Oyster Festival is the place to be for coastal fun — featuring all-you-caneat oysters, free parking and plenty to explore.
Information: ncoysterfestival.com
Odell Williamson Auditorium 2026-2027 Live Event Lineup October through February
Odell Williamson Auditorium (OWA) at Brunswick Community College has announced its 2026–2027 Live Event Season, featuring eight tribute performances and two bonus shows running from October 2026 through February 2027. Season ticket packages and show ticket are on sale now.
Let’s Hang On – Frankie Valli Tribute - October 9
Van the Band – Van Morrison Tribute – October 23
Rod, The Show – Rod Stewart Tribute - November 13
Soul of America – Legendary Ladies of Soul – December 11
Fiddle in the Band – Alabama Tribute – January 15
Elements – Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute – January 22
Bennie and the Jets – Elton John Tribute – February 5
Band on the Run – Paul McCartney Tribute – February 26
Bonus shows (sold separately):
Dinosaur Dimensions – October 3
Lover – A Taylor Swift Tribute – December 13
Information: bccowa.com/events, (910) 755-8513
45th Annual NC Oyster Festival
Brunswick County Intercultural Festival
WINE
LIVE MUSIC
SATURDAYS, 4-6PM
6/6 - Brent Gallant
6/13 - Rich Johnson
6/20 - Monkey Business Beach Band
6/27 - Joe DeFlorio
7/4 - Dave Nelms Jazz
7/11 - Terry Dean
7/18 - Rich Johnson
7/25 - Tom Choiniere
8/1 - Brent Gallant
8/15 - Megan Lee
8/22 - AfterHours Jazz
8/29 - Scott Rice
9/19 - Brent Gallant
9/26 - Monkey Business Beach Band
Schedule subject to change. Check for the most updated information.
TASTING TASTING
More to Explore
BCC CELEBRATES AN EPIC SPORTS YEAR
Brunswick Community College Dolphins Athletics has been celebrating a record year with championship basketball, baseball and historic softball success.
Dolphins Athletics saw a strong winter season and a standout spring. From championship basketball runs to nationally ranked #9 baseball and a historic softball season, BCC student-athletes delivered one of the most successful years in Dolphins Athletics history.
| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |
BCC DEDICATES NEW HEALTH SCIENCES BUILDING
Brunswick Community College dedicated the Dan and Linda Lynes Health Sciences Center, honoring their support for healthcare education and student success.
Brunswick Community College officially dedicated the Dan and Linda Lynes Health Sciences Center during a special ribboncutting ceremony held on campus. The event brought together more than 100 guests, including Lynes family members, friends, community leaders, faculty, staff, students and college supporters, all gathered to recognize a partnership that has helped strengthen healthcare education in Brunswick County. | CONTINUE
HONORING OUR INDEPENDENCE
by Theresa Ravencraft
Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium are set to celebrate America 250 with a summer filled with special events.
As cities across America celebrate the nation’s 250th Anniversary this year, special events and activities are planned locally in recognition of this significant milestone in our country’s history. In Ocean Isle Beach, Museum of Coastal Carolina (MCC) is planning special events to complement their on-going exhibits. The museum has planned a series of lectures that discuss the impact of America’s Independence around the world. Ingram Planetarium is planning a special patriotic laser show.
| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |
CCNB TO OPEN BRANCH IN OCEAN ISLE BEACH
Coastal Carolina National Bank (CCNB) recently held a ground-breaking ceremony for its future Ocean Isle Beach branch at 6326 Beach Drive SW. Headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, CCNB will expand convenient banking services for Brunswick County customers, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to meeting the growing banking needs of Brunswick County. |
WOMEN IN STEM
by Jo Ann Mathews
Ocean Isle Museum Foundation recognizes women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers and encourages a new generation of STEM leaders.
STEM is for women, too. That is the message the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation is communicating to schoolgirls and young women. Women can excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics when encouraged to pursue those careers. The Museum Foundation promoted its initiative at a breakfast event called Inspiring Women in STEM on March 19 in the Sea Trail Convention Center. | CONTINUE
PHOTO BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT
PHOTO BY JO ANN MATHEWS
Sweet Sting
Your guests will be buzzing about this lively tequila-based cocktail made with the refreshing flavor of lemon, the sweetness of honey and the sting of Angostura bitters.
BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT
We all know that honeybees play an important role in pollinating fruits and vegetables as well as promoting plant growth in ecosystems around the world. But they also produce nearly 150 million pounds of honey each year in the United States alone.
Americans use honey in every facet of cooking and baking. It can be a sweet, natural substitution for sugar in many recipes, including this one for a Tequila Honeybee. It’s a bright, lemony cocktail topped with a few drops of Angostura bitters to give it that extra sting.
Angostura bitters, a blend of concentrated herbs and spices, are added to drinks like the Old Fashioned and Tequila Honeybee, to give them a warm, spicy flavor. You’ll taste the sharp notes of cloves, cinnamon and citrus after adding just a drop or two.
The honey syrup used in this cocktail balances the tequila and bitters. Much like simple syrup, honey syrup is made by heating a 1:1 ratio of honey and water to make a light syrup that is pourable and can be added easily to drinks.
My husband and I discovered this flavorful cocktail on a quick weekend trip to New York City last summer. It was a nice complement to a delicious meal of grilled red snapper, mushroom risotto and sauteed green beans with almonds. The drink was truly a perfect pairing with grilled fish.
Whether you’re serving seafood, chicken or steak, you’ll want to sweeten the deal by making these Tequila Honeybee cocktails.
TEQUILA HONEYBEE
Makes 2 cocktails
INGREDIENTS
4 ounces agave tequila
2 ounces honey syrup
2 ounces lemon juice, fresh-squeezed
4 dashes Angostura bitters, 2 per glass
2 lemon peels, 1 per glass
METHOD
Make the Honey Syrup
Place ½ cup honey and ½ cup water in a small saucepan and heat until smooth and combined. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool completely.
Make the Cocktails
Add tequila, honey syrup, fresh lemon juice and two cups of crushed ice to a shaker and shake well. Divide mixture between two tall glasses. Add more ice, if needed. Add 2 dashes of bitters and a lemon peel to the top of each glass.
Summer in a Bowl
Sweet, tangy and a little smoky, these craveable chicken rice bowls deliver a light, flavor-packed dinner perfect for busy summer nights.
BY SANDI GRIGG | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY JAMES STEFIUK
Summer evenings are always so busy in our household. Somehow the season that’s supposed to feel laid-back turns into a full-speed schedule. Between social events, swim lessons, yard work, play dates and everything else that pops up just because it’s summer, it can feel more chaotic than relaxing. So I’m always hunting for a meal that’s quick, nutritious and filling … and that’s exactly what these Citrus Corn Chicken Rice Bowls are.
These bowls are hearty in the best way, with warm jasmine rice, sweet-charred corn, saucy taco-seasoned chicken and a sticky lime-honey finish with a cool lime crema that ties it all together. Every single time I make these, my family devours every bit like I didn’t just cook two pounds of chicken five minutes ago.
We love a local restaurant that makes cantina-style bowls like this, and they’re delicious … but they’re also pretty expensive for three of us to eat on the regular. Making them at home costs a lot less, stretches further and gives us the same vibe at a way better value.
Substitutions are easy, too. Swap chicken for shrimp, ground turkey, steak strips or black beans. Use brown rice, cauliflower rice or quinoa instead of jasmine rice. If someone doesn’t like avocado, add diced tomatoes or sautéed peppers. No cotija? Try feta or shredded cheddar or leave out the cheese. Want less heat? Skip the Sriracha. Need dairy-free? Use a dairy-free sour cream and mayo, or drizzle with a simple lime vinaigrette instead of crema.
The bowls are packed with healthy ingredients: lean protein from chicken, fiber and nutrients from corn and avocado, vitamin C from the lime, and antioxidants from the fresh herbs like cilantro for extra flavor without extra heaviness. Small touches like garlic, lime zest and a little char on the corn bring big flavor so you don’t need a lot of added stuff.
Trust me, these bowls are just plain delicious. They taste like summer and they make busy nights feel a whole lot easier.
Citrus Corn Chicken Rice Bowls
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
For the Lime Crema
8 oz. sour cream
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
1 lime
For the Chicken
2 lbs. chicken breasts, cut into 2” chunks
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lime juice
For the Corn
2¼ cups corn, cut off the cob or canned
¼ cup Duke’s mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
½ tablespoon Sriracha
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon sugar
For the Bowl
Jasmine rice, cooked
1 avocado peeled, cored and sliced
½ cup cotija cheese, broken into chunks
Finely chopped cilantro
Tajin seasoning Lime slices
METHOD
For the Lime Crema
In a bowl, mix the sour cream, zest and juice of one lime, garlic and salt. Set aside.
For the Chicken
In a large bowl, toss the chicken chunks with 1 tbsp. olive oil and taco seasoning. Set aside to marinate.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium/ high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and the chicken in a single layer. Stir occasionally until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
Whisk together the lime juice and honey.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour the lime and honey mixture over the chicken and toss to coat.
For the Corn
Sear the corn in a pan over medium/ high heat, just enough so that some of the kernels char.
In a small bowl mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, lime juice, salt, pepper and sugar.
Add the sauce to the corn and sauté over medium/low heat until warm.
Cook the rice according to the package.
For the Bowl
Scoop the rice into the bottom of each bowl. Spoon the corn over the rice and top with a helping of chicken. Fan a few slices of avocado into each bowl. Drizzle each bowl with the lime crema, garnish with cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese and sprinkle with Tajin seasoning. Finally, add a slice of lime.
Changing the Course
Sea Trail Assistant Golf Professional
Cameryn Smith grew up on Brunswick County fairways. Now she’s helping golfers find confidence on the course and creating space for more women in the game.
BY BETSY SCHLEHUBER PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILARY HALLIWELL
IIn Brunswick County, golf is part of the landscape. Fairways weave through neighborhoods, courses anchor communities, and the sport draws residents and visitors alike to the coast.
For Cameryn Smith, 28, golf has shaped more than the place she calls home; it has shaped her life. Now the Ocean Isle Beach native and first assistant golf professional at Sea Trail Golf Resort is bringing more than two decades of experience to the course, helping golfers sharpen their skills while encouraging more women to find confidence in a game long viewed as a male space.
Of course, it took many life lessons and lots of encouragement for Smith to reach this season of her life, especially as a young woman in a sea of male golfers.
“You hit good shots, you hit bad shots, but you still have to get the ball in the hole,” Smith says. “Same thing with life.”
Smith started playing golf when she was 7 years old through the First Tee Program, a nonprofit youth development organization that teaches kids life skills through golf. She was a member of the Coastal Carolinas chapter, which disbanded in 2024. She said she only tried golf because it seemed like “the laziest sport.”
She could spend hours on the golf course, not only playing but reflecting on life. Being on the course gave her freedom and safety, especially on her hardest days. “
She would be proven wrong fairly quickly and spent much of her childhood squashing the stereotype when talking with her peers.
“It was a joke, for sure. That goes back to the stigma that golf has, that it’s just an old man’s sport. Like, what kid plays golf?” Smith says.
Her peers thought she was just driving around in a golf cart the whole time.
“And I’m like, ‘No, I have to carry my golf bag, and I have to practice, and I hit golf balls. I hit, like, hundreds of golf balls.’”
What Smith loved most about playing golf as a kid was how it felt like a “home away from home.” She could spend hours on the golf course, not only playing but reflecting on life. Being on the course gave her freedom and safety, especially on her hardest days.
She continued playing golf, joining her high school team after much encouragement and winning a golf scholarship at Queens University of Charlotte, where she played until 2019.
Post-graduation, Smith took some time off of training to work with First Tee and teach junior golfers how to improve their skills. She started out at the Coastal Carolinas chapter before moving to the Charlotte chapter for a few years. She returned home to Brunswick County in 2024 and accepted her current position at Sea Trail that April. She said she chose to work at Sea
Trail over other golf courses in the area because of the growth and development they were undergoing.
“I just saw so much potential for this property,” she says. “I’m from the area, I’ve seen this property my whole life. To see it get the attention and stuff so that it could grow into exactly what you’re seeing now … I wanted to be a part of that, so it really was just a fortunate opportunity.”
Smith’s presence on the golf course once meant hours of training. Now, it’s all about teaching golf. She says teaching is her favorite thing to do, from working with the junior golfers at First Tee in her early twenties to working with adult golfers today. She describes her teaching style as “one hundred percent vibes based.”
“With golf, you can say the same thing in so many different ways, and that’s what makes it confusing,” she says. “That’s what kind of keeps money in pros’ pockets because what I say to you might click in your brain, but it might not click for your mom.”
The way Smith teaches adults at Sea Trail is similar to how she taught juniors at First Tee — very basic, very fun, no attempts to rebreak a swing. She uses funny phrases, such as describing a successful follow-through — with the belly button facing the target — as a “belly button toe tap,” and a
successful chipping of the ball as “giving the grass a haircut.”
In addition to utilizing an accessible teaching style, she speaks up for female golfers who feel insecure on the course, especially if a nearby male golfer makes inappropriate comments.
“I don’t tolerate that in my environment,” she says. “If I see it, I snap. I’ll say something.”
LEVEL UP
Smith teaches both men’s and women’s clinics and private lessons at Sea Trail Golf Resort.
Sea Trail Golf Resort 9 75 Clubhouse Road, Sunset Beach m (800) 764-6070 K seatrail.com
For Smith, the history of golf as a once “ladies forbidden” environment makes her efforts to empower women to play golf all the more important. Teaching at Sea Trail means she can pass on that encouragement she received as a young female golfer to adult women who need it.
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A Love & Friendship Story
Part of the greater Special Olympics movement, Brunswick County Special Olympics serves more than 1,000 athletes, giving a joy that is about much more than sports.
BY ED BECKLEY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLEN
& ED BECKLEY
SHEEHAN
WWhen Eunice Kennedy Shriver created Camp Shriver in the backyard of her Maryland home out of love for her intellectually affected sister, Rosemary, her dream was that it would someday become a year-round program for sports training and competition for people with an array of intellectual abilities.
It was the seed that grew into Special Olympics in 1968. Eunice may or may not have envisioned it back then, but Special Olympics has budded into something much more than planned. Today it is also a source of deep love and tender relationships among the athletes, parents, coaches and volunteers — a precious gift for all who partake. And my, how it has grown.
Locally, Special Olympics has been a partnership with Brunswick County Parks and Recreation in Bolivia for more than 25 years. It has matured under the able leadership of Local Coordinator Alyssa Coln over the past five years. Brunswick County Special Olympics hosted its largest Spring Games at Town Creek Park in
Winnabow in March 2026 with more 1,000 athletes, and there are 15 sports now serving the Special Olympics population.
Mauquel Randall, 33, of Calabash, is
Top, a long jump competitor; below, Local Special Olympics Coordinator Alyssa Coln and Athlete of the Year Mauquel Randall.
Brunswick County Special Olympics hosted its largest Spring Games at Town Creek Park in Winnabow in March 2026 with more 1,000 athletes in 15 sports.
PHOTO BY ED BECKLEY
PHOTO BY ED BECKLEY
the newly crowned 2026 Athlete of the Year for Brunswick County. He has been involved in a litany of Special Olympics sports since he was a little boy. Last year he earned special honors by winning the gold medal in the 1500-meter run at the state games in Raleigh. And he is on the state-gameswinning basketball team awarded a berth to compete in the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota this summer.
“But it’s not just about the winning,” Randall says. “Being on the basketball team is like family. And all the members of the running club team were like my family. Just to be with everybody, having a good time, and the friendship that comes with it.”
Each sports team has a head coach and several assistant coaches. Diane Juda of Southport just completed her seventhyear coaching bocce. Her daughter, Katie, is a special athlete as well. Juda also heads up Olympic Town for the young athletes at Spring Games. It’s the place between competitions, where the athletes go to play games, listen to music, win prizes and just chill out with their friends.
Club. The club is one of the new sports Alyssa Coln has brought aboard. The objective is for the athletes to complete the mile run at the annual Sunset Beach races put on by Coastal Race Productions (CRP).
“We love Special Olympics,” Martin says. “It gives Joshua a place to feel included and to make friends. Run Club is his favorite of all the sports he’s done. He loves being part of a team, and he especially loves socializing and getting together with everyone. I get so much satisfaction in watching him grow, and Special Olympics gives him the opportunity.”
SOMETHING SPECIAL
Volunteer with Special Olympics
“I do all these things for the love of the athletes,” Juda said. “These strong, courageous, determined and joyful athletes have touched my heart in the deepest way. As a parent, I understand the daily struggles. I thought it was only Katie and her bubbly personality that rose above those struggles to choose joy every day. But when I got involved with the program, I realized it’s all of them. How can you not want to be around that?”
Christy Martin of Shallotte is also a Special Olympics parent. She volunteers to support her son Joshua’s Mile Run
Do you have an hour once a week for 10 weeks and would like to learn to be a coach or assistant? Please help! There are openings for soccer, equestrian, cheer, conditioning, softball, tennis and golf skills.
Please email k brunswick@sonc.net. Check out their Facebook page: E SOBrunswickCounty
Ocean Isle Beach resident Jill Meyer is 37 and joined Special Olympics a decade ago “because I wanted to not sit on the sidelines anymore.” She beams over her involvement in bocce, swimming, volleyball, tennis and softball. She and her friend Katie Juda earned the bronze medal in bocce at the USA Games in Florida in 2022.
“It has changed my life,” Meyer says. “Being able to get around and out and do more stuff. I have more friends now than ever.”
Meyer has so much confidence now that she has become a Special Olympics Ambassador. She makes presentations to area service clubs to tell them about the program and seek more coaches and financial contributions.
“I was afraid at first. Really afraid,” she says. “But when I got there, I opened up.”
Meyer is now taking classes at Brunswick Community College. “My hope is to become a researcher in the area of horticulture,” she says.
Oh, dear Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Look what you have done!
A New Chapter Begins
When Ida Gaines walked into Brunswick County Literacy Council looking for tutoring, she did not expect to discover she was a poet.
BBY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN DEITZ
Brunswick County Literacy Council helps adults learn to read, write and gain confidence. But every now and then, it helps someone discover something even bigger. That’s what happened to Ida Gaines, who, in her eighth decade of life walked in looking for tutoring and walked out on a path to becoming a poet.
The Brunswick County Literacy Council provides tutoring and educational support for adults who want to improve their reading, writing and English language skills, earn a
high school equivalency diploma or simply gain confidence. For Gaines, the council provided instruction and something else — encouragement and the push she needed to begin writing seriously for the first time in her life.
When she was growing up, Gaines loved to read. Books, magazines, it didn’t matter. Anything with words. As a teenager, she kept a journal in which she would capture thoughts, feelings and the moments of her days.
As happens to most, life moves on, priorities change, and
for Gaines, her time spent writing became less frequent. Born in Bolivia, her family moved to Virginia in the early 1950s, when she was in elementary school. She grew up there, attended barber college and eventually built a life in Ohio, where she worked at Ohio State University and raised two children. But after a divorce and the passing of her parents, she felt a pull to return to her roots in Brunswick County.
It was back home that Gaines’ creative life began to bloom in unexpected ways. In July of 2025, she picked up her pen again with a serious intention of writing. This time, she was unconsciously exploring a new literary genre: poetry.
“I didn’t know I was writing poetry,” Gaines says. “I just wrote about what was happening in my life, good or bad, and tried to make sense of it.”
Because she is an avid reader, Gaines wanted to brush up on her grammar and writing skills, so she stopped by the Brunswick County Literacy Council to ask about tutoring. What she found there was not just instruction, but affirmation.
Her tutor, Dr. Chuck Gulas, recognized a poetic rhythm in her writings and encouraged her to explore it further.
“He said, ‘You’re leaning more toward poetry than anything,’ and I didn’t know that,” she recalls. “He’s been encouraging me ever since.”
“I didn’t know I was writing poetry. I just wrote about what was happening in my life, good or bad, and tried to make sense of it.”
That encouragement unlocked something.
Since then, Gaines has filled countless pages with her words, some deeply personal, others drawn from the world around her. She writes about the passage of time, family and beauty in ordinary days. Her process is thoughtful and meditative. She writes, pauses and reflects before revising her work into polished pieces she’s proud to share.
Her poems, often inspired by nature, faith and relationships, come to her unexpectedly. Sometimes it’s a phrase that arrives in the middle of the night or the image of a bird outside her window that sparks a new line.
“Every now and then, I believe it’s the Lord giving me something to write about,” she says. “When that happens, I just have to sit down and write until it’s all out.”
Gaines’ poems are from an emotionally honest voice that resonates with readers because it comes from lived experience.
Midnight Rambler
By Ida Gaines
I see you.
You thought I wasn’t watching.
You thought I didn’t see you doing your thing.
But I did
But I did
Midnight Rambler
I am wise.
You can’t fool me.
Just when you thought you had it made, slipping and sliding and wearing your dark shades,
Why do you think you can get away with your deceit?
Who you think you are, you’re not.
Smooth and cool is not your game. Your momma did not raise you to lie.
You say there is no place to go.
You think I care!
You can’t stay here.
You have got to go.
From you! I take no mess.
You need to pack your rags and ease on out the door.
You say you’re sorry, you won’t do it again, Sorry is no option.
Who do you think I am?
I’m easy going, but I ain’t no fool.
Go do your thing.
You know you’re just a Midnight Rambler.
Gaines remains humble about her writing.
“I don’t always see what others see in my writing,” she admits. “It was a surprise to me when people said they were moved by it.”
To learn more about Brunswick Literacy Council, call (910) 754-7323, visit bcliteracy.org or stop by their office at 282 Ocean Highway E. in Supply.
Rolling Out the Books
Brunswick County’s new bookmobile brings books, technology and programs directly to neighborhoods, childcare centers and community events across the county.
BY BETH A. KLAHRE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY
IIf you can’t come to a library, the library can come to you. Books in Brunswick County are getting their wheels on the new Brunswick County Library Bookmobile. Hop on the bus to get a library card, browse and check out books, place books from other library branches on hold to pick up on the next scheduled visit, return books and library materials, attend library programs, get assistance with online resources, and use free WiFi.
In March 2024, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of a custom bookmobile from Matthews Specialty Vehicles in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 2023, $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-enabled funding had been approved, and Brunswick County provided another $43,320 for the project. Bookmobile planning and modifications have been underway ever since.
“The Bookmobile provides a way to bring the library to the community in cases where the community can’t come to the library,” says Patricia Dew,
Library Director Patricia Dew, left, and Bookmobile Manager Kate Lenz at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library, the bookmobile's home when it's not on the road.
WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOOKMOBILE?
Children’s Board Books, Picture Books, Fiction Books and Nonfiction Books
Young Adult, Adult and LargePrint Fiction and Nonfiction Books
Checkout Desk with Staff Computer and Printer
ADA-compatible Wheelchair Lift
Carts for Outdoor Pop-Up Events
Speakers and a Public Address (PA) System
Heat and Air Conditioning
Public WiFi
Staff Refrigerator and Microwave
Brunswick County library director. “With this new mobile branch, the Brunswick County Library can traverse the entire county to reach residents from Northwest, to Ash, Bolivia, Sandy Creek, Supply, Longwood and everywhere in between.”
That includes seniors in residential living situations, residents of incomebased housing and young children in childcare facilities. Housed in a 26-footlong Ford E450 shell, the Bookmobile will be visiting 15 of the 16 licensed childcare facilities in Brunswick County, reaching approximately 1,000 children on a regular three-week rotation. Some of the Bookmobile’s collection will be used to service Brunswick Community College’s Access to Achievement and Brunswick Interagency Program for adults with special needs. The Bookmobile will be parked at the Southwest Branch when not in service, typically one day per week, for maintenance, restocking and staff training.
The Bookmobile is in the capable hands of Bookmobile Manager Kate Lenz. In addition to Lenz, it is staffed with one full-time library assistant and several part-time employees.
“In my former career as a teacher, I
saw how library access was limited for many children,” Lenz says. “As a library assistant, I also saw how transportation was an issue, especially for seniors. Our county is large, and there are many areas that are underserved. I’m excited to bring library resources to these areas.”
Brunswick County Library Director
Patricia Dew at the Bookmobile's checkout desk.
Bookmobile Manager Kate Lenz at work in
UNCW Library and a part-time children’s assistant at New Hanover County Public Library.
Attention to every detail will keep the mobile library running effectively and efficiently.
“Everything that happens at a physical branch — processing new materials, reshelving, gathering requests, social media and designing promotional materials — will be completed on the Bookmobile while keeping up the multiple-stop schedule. We will keep records
given the first impressions the Bookmobile will make,” says Cindy Phillips, president of the FOLSOI board of directors. “It will set the tone for its use in coming years.”
The $3,000 grant has been used to purchase graphic novels, books from the NC Battle of the Books selection lists, and Young Adult selections in addition to the traditional children’s picture books. These books will be organized by author’s last name while adult fiction and nonfiction will use the Dewey Decimal System.
“I’m very excited to finally get resources to citizens of the county who have been unable to reach them, and that’s not limited to books,” Lenz says. “I’m excited to foster a love for reading with our youngest visitors while also trying to catch teens and young adults who may have lost their reading interest.”
Lenz is well-prepared for her role. She has a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary liberal studies with a minor in inclusive early childhood education and a master of arts in teaching inclusive early childhood education from James Madison University. In 2023 she completed her master of library science degree with a concentration in public libraries through East Carolina University and obtained her North Carolina Public Librarian certification. She was the youth services specialist library assistant at Brunswick County’s Leland Library Branch, library technician with the User Services Department at the
of what stop a patron uses so that we can bring the books they place on hold to that location. Anything a patron can access in the NC Cardinal System, like movies and books on CD, can be brought to a scheduled stop,” Lenz says.
Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island (FOLSOI), a nonprofit organization providing financial and operational support to the Southport and Oak Island library branches, approached the St. James Foundation of North Carolina for consideration of a grant for the startup of the Bookmobile.
“Startup is especially important
Dew adds that the Bookmobile allows the library to participate in a wider variety of community events like festivals, parades and community gatherings. The weekly schedule has been designed to leave Saturdays unscheduled to allow the Bookmobile to stop at parks and rec centers, pop-up events and community celebrations.
“Bringing recreation and education to everyone is a joy of my job,” Dew says. “Not everyone can make it to a library during the week or is even aware of everything a Brunswick County Library offers. Bringing the Bookmobile to the community fills that gap. It’s a visible reminder of how important the library is for everyone.”
“Come visit us. We can’t wait to connect with you,” Lenz adds.
Coastal Carolina Camera Club connects photographers and community through the power of images, storytelling and service.
BY HILARY HALLIWELL
On any given morning along the Shallotte River Walk, at the Calabash waterfront or on a quiet stretch of Sunset Beach, you might spot a small group of photographers standing still, cameras in hand, waiting for the light to do something magical. Chances are, they are members of the Coastal Carolina Camera Club collectively capturing beauty on a field trip around Brunswick County.
Founded in 2006 by Victor Pizzolato, the club brings together photographers from across Brunswick County who want to improve their skills, share what they know and use photography to connect with their community.
The club’s monthly meetings include informative programs on photographic techniques and editing software and presentations and critiques from guest speakers working in a wide range of genres. Members also participate in photography contests judged by the Photographic Society of America, and several members have earned prestigious awards and publication credits.
Longtime member John Farr recently won the Photographic Society of America’s Gold Medal Award.
“Competitions and critiques are a great way to learn and grow as a photographer,” says wildlife photographer Michelle Tinger, an active member since 2009.
Field trips are also a highlight of the club.
But for many members, the club is not just about improving technical skills. Many members come for the friendship, collaboration and chance to see the world a little differently. They come from all over the county, and experience levels range from beginners to professionals. That mix is intentional, says Ellen Sheehan, the club's publicity chair.
“Photography is something that binds us together,” she says, adding that professional and experienced
photographers assist new members while also developing their own skills. “I enjoy helping newer photographers develop their technical skills and artistic vision. We share freely with each other because we recognize the benefits of a collaborative environment.”
Field trips are a highlight of the club’s activities. While some photographers travel to far-flung places in search of beautiful images, many members find compelling photos right in their own backyards.
“Often, wading birds, breathtaking scenery, beautiful sunsets, alligators and songbirds are only a few steps away,” Tinger says.
Clockwise from opposite top: Oak Island Lighthouse by Aline Harrell, Off To Work by Michelle Tinger, Backyard Committee Meeting by Ellen Sheehan, Sweetgrass Baskets by John Medeiros, Ferris Wheel by Harold Sisken, July 4th Fireworks by Peter Riekstins
Some club members work closely with local organizations, including the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization. Photographers are trained on proper procedures for photographing at nest sites, and prospective photographers must first become full volunteers before they are allowed to take photos, a process that helps them build relationships with the team and learn about the subject matter before ever lifting a camera. That emphasis on respect, patience and storytelling carries into many members’ works.
While many club photographers focus on landscapes and wildlife, member Peter Riekstins prefers street photography, capturing people in their everyday environments at concerts, restaurants, on fishing piers or walking along the beach. Most of his photos are candid, but he says respect for his subjects always comes first.
“There is a misconception that documentary or street photography is just about getting that winning shot, without consideration for the people involved,” Riekstins says. “Yet, photography is a valuable form of visual storytelling
that can bring communities together and help them heal when tragic events happen.”
After the tragic shooting in Southport in 2025, Riekstins chose not to immediately document the aftermath. Instead, he waited until the time felt right.
“I photographed people out in the community trying to be brave and smile, but the camera revealed a depth of pain and loss that felt too raw,” he says.
Riekstins did not post any photos until about six weeks after the attack because he was afraid the images would feel intrusive. But when he did share them, the photos resonated deeply with Southport residents.
“The photos allowed people to be themselves and
Clockwise from bottom left: Sunrise On The Shallotte River by Michelle Tinger, Always Follow Love by Charlie Baggett, High flyers by Harold Sisken, Pod of Pelicans by Peter Reiskien, Sunset Stroll by Ellen Sheehan, The Milkyway over Brunswick County by Tim Sheehan, Bikes at Rest by Dave Kilgore
PICTURE THIS
show how they really felt,” he says.
Coastal Carolina Camera Club meets on the second Thursday of each month (except July) at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall of Shallotte Presbyterian Church, 5070 Main Street in Shallotte. Guests are always welcome, and membership is open to photographers of all skill levels.
In addition to monthly meetings, the club hosts informal breakfast gatherings twice a month at Sunny Side Up Diner in Calabash, where members talk photography, share tips and enjoy time together.
Sheehan, who worked with the Houston Astros MiLB Organization, experienced something similar years ago while living in Houston during Hurricane Harvey. She walked into a church to offer her assistance with hurricane relief, looked around and realized that a photographer should be documenting all the community togetherness and support she was witnessing. She asked a volunteer in charge if they wanted a photographer.
“We were praying for someone to come and photograph this,” the volunteer told her.
Sheehan says she had also prayed for guidance about how she might use photography to help the community.
“I believe that my little prayer was answered in a big way,” she says.
Her first photograph that day was of a Monarch butterfly flying through a parking lot.
“It demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity,” she says.
The club recently launched a Photographers for Charity program, giving members opportunities to use their skills to support local causes. Their first project was covering the Special Olympics Spring Games in Winnabow, an experience many members say was as meaningful as any photography award.
Coastal Carolina Camera Club is proof that compelling photography is not always about the composition, technical perfection or the gear used to capture the image. Sometimes it is about the moment, the story or what the images mean to the audience.
Wend Your Way to the Waterway
A bar with a view, Waterway Tavern in the Clubhouse at Brick Landing brings a new neighborhood watering hole to Ocean Isle Beach.
BY KURT EPPS, THE PUBSCOUT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILARY HALLIWELL
BBrittany Bowers, the petite publican who runs the brand-new Waterway Tavern located a little off the beaten path in the Clubhouse at Brick Landing, took a rather circuitous route to finally arrive at the place where her dream of working for herself begins.
From her hometown of Sunbury, Ohio (just 627 miles from OIB) thence to Goodyear, Arizona (where she married husband, Andy) and thence to OIB (a trip of over 2,250 miles) to make their new home, Brittany’s journey involved extensive time at the serving end of the bar business.
She gained invaluable experience along the way and became a master mixologist and somewhat of a cicerone. Those skills allowed the 43-year-old to gain employment in her new hometown by working in various bars and eateries.
Her last job saw her pouring beers and mixing fabulous cocktails at OIB’s highly popular No Name Lounge, and she brought along a faithful following wherever she worked. Even the owners of No Name showed up to support her at her grand opening.
Highly self-motivated, she landed a job as the business manager at the
Brick Landing Golf Course. And that gig sparked her dream.
There was a cozy little pub just off the event space that was only being used for those events she booked.
Realizing its potential, she worked with the management of Brick Landing and secured a lease to run the pub as her own business. So, instead of it just being used for events, it has become open to the public.
And the public, it seems, has taken notice. Bowers held a soft opening
during the first week in May for invited guests, and while they all showed up, so did some who were not on the guest list. The crowd swelled to about 50, probably twice the number invited. I have a theory as to why that happened, which I’ll discuss later.
But her years of working behind a bar and dealing with a wide range of customers paid dividends as she handled the overflow expertly — and without ruffling anyone’s feathers.
Apparently, all those feathers
Waterway Tavern owner Brittany Bowers, center, with her husband, Andy Meravy, at left, and bartender Steve Scheideger.
returned for her grand opening on May 6, because when Father Dave, the Missus and I walked in, the decibel level of good-time chatter and laughter wafted all the way down to the first-floor entrance.
We followed the din to the second floor and walked into Bowers’ pub, where some 40 folks were enjoying the space and the special ambience. Moreover, as some left, they were replaced by newcomers.
It’s really a neat little place to quaff, given that it sits high above the ICW, which offers
some great, relaxing views. There’s one “Lovers’ Window” seat — capacity two — where those so inclined can canoodle.
Despite my entreaties, the Missus did not want to lose her seat at the bar to investigate, so Father Dave and I had to explore the space, sans the canoodling.
The fascinating 3-D artwork on the walls was provided by local artist and graphic designer Aimee Knipper, who was recently “downsized” out of her day job (after a buyout) after 22 years with her company.
Knipper and Bowers became friendly, and nearby resident Knipper may have stumbled upon an entirely new career. She’ll do well based on her personality alone.
In nice weather, guests can bring their drinks outside to soak in the beauty of what a waterside golf course can provide — and to canoodle, if so inclined.
But what drinks will they bring out there? Well, certainly various quality wines are available (Bowers knows what her customers like), and there are currently four draft beer taps. They are augmented by a sizable number of canned offerings.
The draft selections were carefully chosen using
Bowers’ knowledge of what sells the most down here, but her canned offerings are also quite good.
She insisted that I have one of her favorite Cincinnati, Ohio, beers — an American IPA called Rhinegeist Truth — and I can see why it was one of her faves.
But she also offers Yuengling, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Landshark, a Roasted Porter and an IPA from Raleigh Brewing, an IPA from Bill’s Brewing in ILM called Native Coastal, and an IPA from Birdsong called Hazy Sexy Cool.
That Father Dave insisted the beer was named after his outstanding personal traits was one reason I didn’t spend too much time over by the Lovers’ Window with him.
The Waterway Tavern is a place for
friends to congregate, and I’m sure it will do its duty as a 19th Hole for those who use the Brick Landing links.
I was also honored to be a part of the official “christening” of The Waterway Tavern by assisting Sue Wycoff, the
WANT TO GO?
Waterway Tavern
1882 Goose Creek Road SW, Ocean Isle Beach Second floor of the Clubhouse at Brick Landing E WaterwayTavern
Grande Dame of OIB, in dropping her drink for the first “cleanup in aisle 5” moment at the pub.
And here’s my theory as to why the place is packed, and why it’s likely to stay that way. There are many folks who live in the area near the golf course, such as Knipper and her friend Robin (who happens to be the mother of Arden, a popular local performer) who hail from nearby neighborhoods.
If they wanted a place to call their own in the past, it would necessitate a drive either into OIB or Shallotte proper, because as pretty as the area is, it lacked a public place to quaff and converse.
No longer. The Waterway Tavern is now open.
To find it, head to the clubhouse and listen for the din.
Hitting All the Right Notes
With After Hours Jazz, six accomplished musicians bring improvisation, artistry and timeless standards to audiences across Brunswick County.
STORY & PHOTOS BY JO ANN MATHEWS
TThe opening notes of “The Girl From Ipanema” drifted through Sunset River Gallery, and within moments the audience was hooked. For the next two hours, After Hours Jazz transformed the Calabash gallery into an intimate jazz club, moving effortlessly from beloved standards to inventive improvisation before closing with Bryan Hughes’ spirited rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon.”
More than 100 people attended the performance, drawn by a band that does far more than simply play familiar songs. Made up of veteran performers, educators, composers and lifelong musicians, After Hours Jazz blends
technical excellence with the easy camaraderie that makes live jazz so engaging.
“Our mission from the beginning was to get this type of music out there,” says saxophonist Jeff Norris of Sunset Beach, the group’s leader. “Few locations play the Great American Songbook or contemporary jazz.”
That commitment has helped the six-member ensemble build a devoted following throughout the South Brunswick Islands. Through performances at Sunset River Gallery, Jazz in the Park at Sunset Beach Town Park and Jazz Under the Stars at Ingram Planetarium, the group introduces audiences
Left to right, Cliff Hackford, Jeff Norris, Bill Selway, Dave Maffris, Bryan Hughes and Wayne Cockfield
to jazz standards while showcasing the spontaneity and interaction that make the genre unique.
Hughes, wearing white framed glasses, is the perfect frontman. He indicates with sweeping gestures which musician has the stage, engages the audience with a humorous lesson on applauding and urges them to “hoot and holler.” To introduce the hit song “The In Crowd,” he says, “You being here are part of the in crowd.”
“Route 66,” “Bésame Mucho,” “Comin’ Home, Baby!” and “Have you Met Miss Jones?” are some of the songs the band plays, and Hughes even sings scat to songs like “The Masquerade.”
Ciprian Garcia, an original member of the group along with Mark St. Claire and Jim Pope, says he suggested the name in 2017 because jazz is usually associated with after hours.
Norris joined the group in 2019 and initiated the shows at Sunset River Gallery, instituted Jazz in the Park at Sunset Beach Town Park and Jazz Under the Stars at Ingram
Planetarium in Sunset Beach.
“I try to focus on creating different opportunities for us,” Norris says. “We go out and have fun playing music because that’s what it’s all about.”
“We mostly are playing to a listening audience rather than
at a bar,” adds Dave Maffris of Calabash, who joined the group in 2025 and plays keyboard. “People are there to listen and enjoy the music. The other musicians are excellent and play the kind of music I enjoy. We listen to each other and interact with each other. We have a common language.”
Maffris began playing professionally at 15 years old and was a clinical social worker for more than 20 years. He plays in other bands, composes and has a recording business. His website is daveintheshed.com.
Top left, Wayne Cockfield on guitar and Dave Maffis on piano; bottom left and above right, Jeff Norris on saxophone, Bryan Hughes on vocals, Bill Selway on bass and Cliff Hackford on drums
Guitarist Wayne Cockfield of Myrtle Beach, who joined After Hours Jazz 18 months ago after several appearances as a guest guitarist, says his entire career has centered on music. He played gigs as a 13-year-old in Lake City, South Carolina, and in the Charleston area until he was 23. He then entered the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Coastal Carolina University.
“Jazz is best played with other musicians you can interact with,” Cockfield says. “It’s an enjoyable experience to hear what they play, and it inspires you to play something that goes along with it. That’s what’s nice about jazz. It’s structured and not structured.”
Cockfield teaches music and entertains in Myrtle Beach. His website is waynecockfield.com.
Bass player Bill Selway drives from his home in Annapolis,
Maryland, for the performances.
“It’s been a fun ride,” he says. “Every gig has a few tunes new to us. We have a good idea of what tempo, key and style we want to play, and we talk through anything new. We can make things work.”
A retired high school music teacher, he spends part of his time in Sunset Beach and was invited to be a guest bassist before he joined After Hours Jazz in 2022. When Hughes said they would play a song for all of the Valentines, Selway interjected humor by suggesting they play a song for Presidents’ Day.
Drummer Cliff Hackford of Myrtle Beach, who taps out the tempo for the group before they play each song, is a three-year member and says he joined “because I like to play jazz and the gigs are fun.”
At right, Bill Selway on bass; below, audience members at a Sunset River Gallery performance
“baritenor” because he sings tenor and baritone. A former show choir director in Indiana for 14 years, he is author of six novels, two short story collections, a memoir and a children’s book. His website is bryanmichaelhughes.com.
He says the other members are open and receptive if he wants a song included.
“I love the variety of different styles like Latin and African,” says Hackford, who retired from teaching music lessons and now plays in seven jazz groups. “I work a lot, and I like doing it.” His website is cliffhackford.com.
Hughes, who lives in the Holden Beach area, was invited to be guest vocalist before becoming the lead singer in 2021. He calls himself a
“I like the quality of the musicians that I get to be with,” he says. “We have connections as musicians so that it’s like it’s our own language.”
The musicians project emotion, and the audience responds with nodding, mouthing words and tapping toes. Frank and Ann Beisemann of Ocean Isle Beach, who sit up front, are two of them.
“We come all the time because we like the music, the small venue and the artwork,” Ann says. “And the wine,” Frank adds, which is complimentary from the gallery the night of the performances.
“I come as often as I can,” says Charlene Hawryluk of Carolina Shores. “I love music.
I love jazz.”
Norris, who retired from his job as a project executive for a construction company, played about 130 gigs a year for 30 years with a band in Philadelphia. He says After Hours Jazz is good for him because it keeps him motivated.
“When I play music with this band, it’s probably the most cohesive set of musicians we’ve had that all come together without much effort,” Norris says. “We don’t practice much because there’s a communality in the music, and everybody knows the songs.”
ALL THAT JAZZ
For information about booking After Hours Jazz or catching them around town, email Jeff Norris: k jeff.norris431@gmail.com.
That connection is what audience members hear when the band takes the stage.
“They are inventive,” says Ann Klein of Little River. “It’s true jazz. It includes improvisation, and that’s what they do.”
A Woman for All Seasons
The new executive director of Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, Susan Barnes has built a life around curiosity, community and saying yes.
BY JO ANN MATHEWS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSIE HEIM
SSusan Barnes has never stayed in one lane for long.
Over the years she has been part of a Stanley Cup-winning hockey organization, created artwork with beads, etched wine glasses for a business she built herself, managed events at a winery and even become certified to officiate weddings. Now she is adding another title to the list.
On April 14, 2026, Barnes accepted the position of executive director of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce.
“Taking over this role is an exciting opportunity for me,” she says. “I love working with the businesses. I didn’t set out to do this. It naturally ended up. I love it.”
Barnes held the chamber position of event coordinator and community engagement lead for three years before stepping into her new role. Her vision for the future includes greater community involvement.
Despite having 650 Chamber members, “A lot of people don’t know we even exist,” she says. “People need to know what we are doing, and how we are trying to help the community. We have some great events. I plan to look at what we are doing and how we can make them better.”
Posted on her office wall is a list of major events:
• Chairman’s Awards in May
• Membership Extravaganza in June
• New Member Class and Brunsco
Golf Tournament in August
• Oyster Festival in October
• Women of Impact in November
Dozens of ribbon cuttings, Thursday Perks networking meetings, Women in Business programs and Ambassador Spotlight events are also part of the chamber’s ongoing activities.
Paige Lippard, the chamber’s membership coordinator and business administrator, says with just the two of them in the office, efficiency matters.
“I pick up the pieces in one way, and Susan picks them up in another way,” she says. “It involves a lot of networking.”
In announcing Barnes’ appointment, chamber board president Jay McRoberts noted her ability to connect people: “She has a proven ability to bring people together, support local businesses and move intiatives forward in a way that creates lasting impact for our community.”
That ability to embrace new roles seems to define Barnes.
“Just because I’ve never done it, doesn’t mean that I can’t,” she says. Her curiosity has carried her through a surprising collection of pursuits.
Barnes owns a Stanley Cup championship ring with her name engraved on it. She played an active role in the Carolina Hurricanes organization during the team’s 2006 Stanley Cup win, serving as part-time security staff at the Raleigh arena and had also served as president of the Booster Club.
She has not lost her enthusiasm for the team since moving to Calabash, so of course she is thrilled that the Hurricanes are the Stanley Cup champions once again in 2026.
Besides watching hockey, Barnes
spends free time creating bead artwork and etching wine glasses, a hobby that evolved into a business called Gettin' Glassy.
When Barnes explained her pastime to her father, Herb Hilliard, he bought her a vinyl machine that carves designs onto material that can be applied to glass. Friends loved her creations, and she began selling them at fairs and craft shows.
A few years later she closed the business to help care for her father, who passed away from cancer in 2014. That chapter eventually led her to Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach. Barnes had accompanied her husband, Butch Barnes — a musician with Sea Cruz and a DJ
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susan Barnes with John Kaiser, founder of Welcome Home Angel (top left), Paige Lippard (top right) and Gretchen Johns (bottom right) and in front of the chamber office in Shallotte.
— to a performance at the winery when an employee mentioned they could use help with events. The part-time opportunity evolved into a full-time role as manager and events coordinator.
Couples visiting the winery often expressed interest in getting married there, so Barnes earned certification to officiate weddings. She has officiated about 25 weddings over the past decade.
Her newest hobby is cookie decorating.
Barnes and a friend experimented with ingredients to create a royal icing recipe that includes vanilla from St. Maarten, one of her favorite vacation destinations.
“I always wanted to make these cookies for my grandkids,” she says. “I made over 400 for Christmas.”
Her daughter, Taylor Costello, and son-in-law, Dustin, live in Raleigh with their three children, ages 4 to 7.
As a child growing up in Cary, Barnes once dreamed of becoming a pilot like her father before deciding the profession felt too dangerous. She also considered singing.
“I don’t have a singing voice,” she says with a laugh.
Travel remains another passion.
Barnes has helped her stepmother, Karen Smith, with her business, Totally Travel in Wilmington. And one of her favorite travel destinations was Istanbul, Turkey.
“It was the most amazing 10 days of my life,” she says.
For now, though, her attention is firmly on the chamber.
“I feel like I’m blessed that I’m able to do what I do,” she says. “My focus is here at the chamber.”
“
She
She encourages local business owners to get involved with Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce.
“Sometimes I don’t think people realize how valuable being a member of the chamber is,” she says. “Part of it is just getting involved and making those connections. Take the time to invest in your business and in yourself. Come to the things that we do, especially Perks on Thursday.”
Made
TThere were endless ways I could have spent my free afternoon: reading a book, shopping, staying home and rotting in bed on my phone. But I stopped into AR Workshop in Ocean Isle Beach instead.
Upon walking into the spacious workshop, I was greeted in the beachy
Owner Joanne Mayopoulos and her husband, Earl Edwards, at their franchise of AR Workshop in Ocean Isle Beach
I had zero experience in this field. Knitting needles freak me out, and crochet hooks are foreign to me. I felt skeptical that I could ever own a blanket that didn’t come from a TJ Maxx. This was going to be an interesting three hours.
The Chunky Knit Blanket Class is the most popular class at the Ocean Isle Beach location, so popular that they offer it year-round (unlike most
From making sea glass trees to crafting chunky knit stuffed animals to painting signs, there is a craft for everyone at AR Workshop.
than 25 years for Brunswick Senior Resources, where she led arts and crafts classes and events for local seniors. Crafting has always been an important hobby in her life. She jokes that she “became an old person early.”
“I was the only child, so I had to find ways to keep myself busy,” she says.
Once you select a project at AR Workshop, all the materials, instruction and assistance you need are available.
hoping to attract new customers, both visitors and locals.
This summer, AR Workshop will host kids’ camps, and Sickinger will be teaching the camps for the first time. Each camp lasts one week, and each day lasts two and a half hours. There are different themes for the camps, like candle pouring for teenagers or decorating microphones for young kids. Additionally, AR Workshop plans to expand some existing classes for the spring season, such as seaglass trees, metal jewelry stamping and crafts for porches and patios.
Before I knew it, my three hours were up, and Sickinger came over to tie the very last knot for me. My new chunky knit blanket is soft, has a beautiful color scheme, fits perfectly over my lap and looks great on the tub chair in my bedroom.
I thank AR Workshop for showing me how capable I can be on a free afternoon!
GET CRAFTY
AR Workshop Ocean Isle Beach
925 Seaside Road SW, Ocean Isle Beach m (910) 236-3035
To sign up for a workshop, visit K arworkshop.com/oceanislebeach
Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach, NORTH CAROLINA
2026 Brunswick County Chamber Chairman’s Awards Gala
May 14 at Silver Coast Winery
The 2026 Chairman Awards brought together Brunswick County businesses, leaders and community members. The Boots, Vines & Good Times theme was a fun evening of celebration, networking and recognition. Congratulations to this year’s nominees, winners and FUTURE 10 honorees for their leadership and impact across Brunswick County.
[01] Shari Leone, Andrew Finch, Rita Tatum
[02] Manuel Wyley, Shakema Morgan, Skylar & Carter [03] Justin Williams, Taylor Murphy [04] Susan Barnes, Stephanie McLean, Allison Szafarski, Todd Degraw, Jessica Gallant, Daniel Gonzalez [05] Suzanne West, Tina Bowen, Angie Whalen, Butch Barnes [06] Corbin Chandler, Brian Jackson, Marcell Hatten [07] Alex Gonzalez, Michaela McIntyre [08] Kristin Kane, Aaryn Carter [09] Corey Miles, Shana Miles
[10] Susan Barnes, Allysa McKenzie [11] Eric Wigren, Justin Benoy [12] Pam Billings, Lauren Clemmons, Kate ClemmonsDiggers, Bethany Clemmons [13] Kevin Briggs, Deb Pickett, Elizabeth Wassum, Shelby Lloyd, Jason Gaver [14] April McKeithan, Paige Lippard, Sue Clemmons [15] Crystal Ostlind, Brian Ostllind, Christina Casad, Amanda Hastings [16] Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith, Shirley Johnson, Joy David
Men’s Grilled Dinner Group
May 7 at the Ridge Center in Ocean Isle
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR
The Men’s Grilled Dinner Group (MGDG), known as the “Meatheads,” held a dinner on May 7 at the Ridge Center in Ocean Isle. The group raised funds for local nonprofit organizations and also contributed volunteer time, labor and professional expertise while building fellowship and camaraderie.
[01] The MGDG grilling team [02] Miguel Merzean, Walter Bearse, Steve Hughes [03] Bruce VanMeter, Rob Ferrari [04] Mat Mellis, Gregg Golembeski, Gary Kamenetz, John Sebra [05] Brunswick County Sheriff Brian M. Chism [06] MGDG Event Planning Team: John Fasting, Terry Ecock, John Santini (founding member), Kyle Jones [07] Mike Aviles, Andy McCadden [08] the main event
Winding River Paws For A Cause Fundraiser
May
3
at Brunswick Beer and Cider
Winding River Paws For A Cause, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that raises funds for and awareness of the four no-kill shelters in our area, held a fundraiser kickoff party at Brunswick Beer and Cider in Leland. NowCat performed at the event while supporters enjoyed time with their furry friends. Brunswick Beer and Cider donated 11% of May sales of their Blonde Belgian Ale — renamed Paws and Tails — to Winding River Paws For A Cause.
Run Sunset Beach
April 11 in Sunset Beach
Runners showed up early for the Run Sunset Beach event featuring a half marathon, 10K, 5K and 1-mile race. Participants raced to the finish line to receive a medal, famous Carolina BBQ and cold beer on tap. Run Sunset Beach is part of the Big Ass Medal Race Series, which has been going strong for 13 years.
Visit coastalraceproductions.com for more information
GFWC SBI Monthly Meeting and Scholarship Shower
April 28 at La Volte in Ocean Isle Beach
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLEN SHEEHAN
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs–South Brunswick Islands (GFWC SBI) held a dinner and meeting in which the club presented $27,315 in donations to local organizations that address food insecurity, homelessness, domestic violence and more. The group also awarded scholarships to three West Brunswick High School students. The senior honorees were given new backpacks stuffed with gifts and gift cards to make their transition to college life a little easier and were awarded $9,700 collectively towards their college tuitions.
Visit sbiwc.org for more information.
Novant Health’s 11th Annual Community Baby Shower
May 2 at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia
The saying that it takes a village to raise a child felt especially true in Brunswick County, where that spirit was on full display at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center’s 11th Annual Community Baby Shower. As early as 8:30 am, expectant parents and families lined up on the hospital campus to receive resources as they prepared to welcome new babies. Despite rainy, cold weather, families from across the county attended and received diapers, wipes and other baby supplies, along with breakfast biscuits from Chick-fil-A and refreshments, cookies, bottled water and coffee provided by Food Lion. Attendees also selected larger items such as Pack ’n Plays, car seats and strollers. The event brought together local businesses, churches, volunteers and community representatives to support expectant mothers and families, with Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center serving as the host and hub for the effort.
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