SPT OKI Winter 2023/24 Edition

WINTER 2023-24

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GUARDIANS

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We put our whole heart into caring for yours.

Our team of heart and vascular specialists offers the most advanced care to keep you strong and healthy, so you can be there for a lifetime of granddaughter beach walks.

Discover more at NovantHealth.org/Heart © Novant Health, Inc. 2023 10/23 • NH1399165a

“It was absolutely amazing!

It was clean and just the perfect place to relax with the sound of the ocean.”

CHLOE E. — 5-STAR GOOGLE REVIEW

The Beach House Motel & Suites offers 22 renovated ocean view guest rooms and suites in the heart of Oak Island.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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WINTER 2023-24

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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

36 WHEN DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT

31 EDUCATION

Helicopter and fixed-wing aviator and flight instructor Jessica Ward founded High Tide Aviation in Southport in 2013, and the business continues to soar to new heights.

42 LEAVING THE LIGHT ON

Oak Island Lighthouse, the newest of the Cape Fear lighthouses, is a landmark with a presence and a purpose.

48 MR. P’S LEGACY

Celebrating its 30th year, Mr. P’s Bistro in Southport is a true family affair and a living reminder of its namesake, Norman Phipps.

IN EVERY ISSUE

How one family combines homeschooling with exploring all that Oak Island and Southport have to offer.

10 PUBLISHER’S NOTE 12 CONTRIBUTORS 17 ACROSS THE COUNTY

59 NONPROFIT

With Birthday Wishes Ministry, Jill Leach is on a mission to make sure every child in Brunswick County receives a birthday gift.

18 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES 21 WHAT’S HAPPENED

67 PEOPLE

25 WHAT’S HAPPENING

Southport resident Amy Burns shares what life is like after breast cancer.

27 SPIRITS 28 WHAT’S COOKIN’ 70 SNIPPETS 77 BUSINESS PROFILE

54 GUARDIANS OF THE DUNES

Dean Russell’s driftwood art attracts attention on the dunes of Oak Island.

79 FACES & PLACES 80 TIDE CHART

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

62 BACK TO NATURE

Now open in Bolivia, In the Pines RV & Cabin Village is the culmination of a family’s rediscovery of the great outdoors.

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81 ADVERTISERS INDEX 82 TAGGED

PHOTO BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

PHOTO BY CASEY LAUREN TOWNSEND

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PHOTO BY CASEY LAUREN TOWNSEND

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EXTRAORDINARY CARE IS ALWAYS CLOSE BY EXPERT WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE IN SOUTHPORT

Maritza Manrique-Kiniry, MD

Dr. Manrique-Kiniry is a board certified gynecologist and gynecological surgeon with Dosher Medical-Women’s Health. A graduate of New Jersey Medical School, she is highly trained and experienced in a full spectrum of care, from preventative to evaluating and treating a wide range of women’s health conditions.

Dr. Manrique-Kiniry is accepting new patients at Dosher Medical-Women’s Health.

Call today to schedule an appointment: 910-457-9292

MEET OUR NEWEST PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS

Deborah Cobb, FNP-BC

Stephen T. Baxley, Jr., FNP-C

Deborah Cobb, FNP-BC, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Deborah’s diverse expertise spans primary care through managing a full spectrum of acute and chronic medical conditions. She is dedicated to helping you lead your healthiest life possible.

Stephen is a board certified family nurse practitioner and former US Navy hospital corpsman who worked in many roles in healthcare, before operating a private practice in Whiteville. He is now in Southport, ready to provide the same commitment to extraordinary primary care to our local community.

Deborah Cobb is accepting new patients at Dosher Medical-Oak Island.

Call today to schedule an appointment:

Stephen Baxley is now accepting new patients at Dosher Medical-Long Beach Rd. Call today to schedule an appointment:

910-278-6414

910-457-3996

Dosher.org

— ABOUT — Winter 2023-24 Issue — Volume 1, Issue 2 CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

Publishing Quarterly

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

25,000 copies printed each issue

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Liza Barry Teresa Kramer Samantha Lowe Elizabeth Dale Niemann

14,000 copies directly mailed to area homes

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Brian Wilner IMEN

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Want to advertise? ads@lifeinbrunswickcounty.com

PUBLISHED BY: CAROLINA MARKETING COMPANY, INC. PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 207-0156 • info@lifeinbrunswickcounty.com Reproduction or use of the contents in this magazine is prohibited.

Have a story idea? edit@lifeinbrunswickcounty.com

©2023-2024 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

Are you a writer or photographer? freelance@lifeinbrunswickcounty.com Want SPT OKI delivered to your home?

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. SPT OKI — A Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. publication is published four times per year and is distributed to residents and businesses in the Southport Oak Island area, to subscribers and to select areas of New Hanover County, NC. Interested in back issues, subscriptions or advertising?

Contact us at (910) 207-0156 or info@lifeinbrunswickcounty.com.

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WINTER 2023-24

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COMPLIMENTARY

About the cover:

910.207.0156 lifeinbrunswickcounty.com

GUARDIANS

p. 54

E Q

of the

30 YE ARS OF MR. P’S BISTRO

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DUNES |

HOMESCHOOL E XPLOR ATION

Photographer Brenda Torrey captured this image of Dean Russell and his driftwood art on the dunes of Oak Island. You can read about Russell and his unique art form — and find out where you can see these amazing sculptures — in John L. Cardillo’s story, which starts on page 54.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

All We Can Say is

Thank You

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PHOTO BY MATT MCGRAW

T

To say that everyone here at Carolina Marketing Company is overwhelmed with gratitude would be an understatement. Our first edition of SPT OKI Magazine was very well received in the community, and we appreciate all the advertising support, photography and writing contributions, readers and community feedback.

Adding this magazine to our list of publications is something I wanted to do for a long time, and for it to come to fruition with so much community support makes it all worthwhile. Sincerely, thank you all.

We are all excited to bring you the stories of these communities in the upcoming issues. Speaking of, we have a lot of great stories for you in this winter issue.

You may be wondering about the man and the unique creature on the cover. This is Dean Russell and his driftwood artwork. His sculptures are the source of much fascination on the dunes of Oak Island, and you can read about his artform in this edition. Also from Oak Island, we have a story about the Oak Island Lighthouse and the people who make sure it is open for everyone to climb and enjoy.

We also introduce you to some inspiring locals, like Jessica Ward, a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot who started her own tour business and flight-training school in the area and has since expanded into locations beyond the region. You’ll meet Amy Burns and hear her story of overcoming breast cancer, and you’ll meet the women who come together for Birthday Wishes Ministry to ensure that all local children get a birthday present.

If you have ever enjoyed a seafood or steak dinner at Mr. P’s Bistro, a longtime Southport dining tradition, you can read more about the family behind the restaurant, and if you love cooking at home, our food editor, Sandi Grigg, has some delicious food and drink recipes using apples.

Thank you for reading this edition. Please let our advertisers know that you saw them here, and please pass this edition along to a friend after you have finished reading. As always, we welcome your story ideas, so please send them in to info@LifeinBrunswickCounty.com.

Enjoy your winter!

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher  publisher@lifeinbrunswickcounty.com  JustinW13

#1 in UROLOGICAL CARE Our region’s most experienced Urological Robotic Surgeon, Dr. Roc A. McCarthy, and team, are with Advanced Urology in Leland, NC! From utilizing the latest in urological cancer diagnostics, such as MRI fusion biopsies, to the DaVinci Xi surgical robot, patients are provided the best technology in a very caring and compassionate environment.

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CONTRIBUTORS

John Cardillo CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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

Brenda Torrey CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

I am a professional photographer with more than 30 years of experience. My photos have been on billboards, magazines, book covers and a National Park Service challenge coin and throughout a United States Navy ship. For many years I dreamed of living in a town where I could walk to the beach, stores and restaurants. I am now living that dream on Oak Island!

Casey Lauren Townsend CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

In addition to being a local photographer for the last 15 years and co-owner of Waterway Music and Education, I am a happy wife and homeschooling mother of two children. My husband, who is from Brunswick County, introduced me to “might could” and strawberry picking. Together, we have lived in every corner of Brunswick County, making friends who are like family along the way. My love of storytelling through photos was inspired by my late grandfather, who always had the video camera out and captured what was most important: friends and family.

This candid style is what I hope to contribute to the magazine.

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SPT OKI Magazine

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RELENTLESS 16

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Lindsey Jenkins Broker/REALTOR®

910-368-9626

Collective LindseyJenkins5@gmail.com CRCI Board of Directors Member The Foundation of Brunswick Community College Board of Directors Each office is independently owned and operated

K View online at LifeinBrunswickCounty.com/sbm

PUMPKIN IT UP

A MUSICAL MILESTONE

PHOTO BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

PHOTO BY JAMES STEFIUK

FUTURE 10 — YOUNG LEADERS OF BRUNSWICK COUNTY

PHOTO BY ZEB STARNES

BUSY HANDS, FAST FRIENDS

NO NOODLES NECESSARY

PHOTO BY JO ANN MATHEWS

A SEAT AT THE BAR

PHOTO BY KATIE D PHOTOGRAPHY

FISHING BUDDIES

WOMEN IN BUILDING

HOLIDAY NOSHING

Winter 2023-24

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

K View online at LifeinBrunswickCounty.com/nbm

PHOTO BY JAMES STEFIUK

Take a look at what’s happening in Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, Shallotte and Calabash with our sister publication South Brunswick Magazine.

PHOTO BY MATT MCGRAW

Check out what's going on in the Leland area with our sister publication North Brunswick Magazine.

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

ACROSS THE COUNTY D LIFEINBRUNSWICKCOUNTY.COM

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D LIFEINBRUNSWICKCOUNTY.COM/SPTOKI

THE BEST DAY EVER! Kids love Kiwanis Big Toy Day, which returned to Cape Fear Jetport on October 14.

PRESENTATION ON GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURE

Vehicles of all varieties rolled into Cape Fear Regional Jetport on Saturday, October 14 for Big Toy Day, a familyfriendly event hosted annually by the Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island.

Ron Daise spoke on the topic at the Kiwanis Scholarship Fundraiser on November 14.

The popular event gave children of all ages an opportunity to climb aboard a variety of motorized vehicles, including firetrucks, ambulances and military and law enforcement vehicles. There were also planes, helicopters, water rescue boats and various other “toys” of interest.

A coordinated blowing of horns and sirens closed the day’s activities. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE 18

SPT OKI Magazine

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

by John Cardillo

Ron Daise, a 1990s television personality and a renowned expert on the Gullah Geechee culture, shared his knowledge on the topic at 7 pm on Tuesday, November 14 at the St. James Community Center. Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island sponsored his appearance. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D LIFEINBRUNSWICKCOUNTY.COM/SPTOKI

BEACH BONFIRE SEASON

HOSPITAL HELPERS Dosher Memorial Hospital Volunteers elect officers for the 2023–24 term.

The Town of Oak Island allows beach bonfires from November 16 to April 30, and here’s what you need to know.

The cool air of winter is being felt in the Cape Fear region, and seasonal gatherings of family and friends are in store. One sure sign of cooler weather being back on Oak Island is the start of beach bonfire season. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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Dosher Memorial Hospital Volunteers are a diverse group of 160 individuals from southeastern Brunswick County who provide administrative assistance for the Dosher organization as well as raise funds for hospital programs and equipment through the hospital gift shop and a high-quality resale store in downtown Southport. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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Winter 2023-24

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SPT OKI Magazine

WHAT’S HAPPENED

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

are part of a $20,000 Noren Foundation grant awarded to the Dosher Foundation to support BCC healthcare students and the hospital’s professional development and training needs.

The 2023 scholarship recipients include Evelyn Andres, Alexander Hughes and Kiandra Willis.

Andres, currently a Licensed Practical Nurse, is pursuing her Registered Nursing degree with plans to continue to become a nurse practitioner. She is a first-generation college student in her family.

Hughes’ career goal is to receive an associate degree in nursing before transferring to a university to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing with plans to become a nurse practitioner.

Willis plans to finish the practical nursing program and work in bedside nursing to enhance her skills. She then plans to earn an associate degree in nursing at Brunswick Community College and then continue her education to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Summer 2023 Golden Pineapple Award Winners

Lazy Turtle Oceanfront Grille Hosts Jimmy Buffett Tribute

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce’s Golden Pineapple Award recognizes local business owners who deserve recognition for providing exceptional customer service. Pictured winners, nominated by their customers, for summer 2023 were: Steve & Pam Lewis, Bald Head Coffee & Tea House; Julia & Jerry Dennison, Better Beach Rentals & Sales; Deborah Alt, Hervey Andrews & John Bates, Cape Fear Yacht Club Sailing Summer Program; Anthony Fotia, Coastal Cottage Shoppe; Julia Kasper, Coastal Painting & Improvements; Brina Neeley, Lisa Robinson, Cori Martin, Heather Eversole, Jessicia Niedomanski, Lori Turturici & Kimberly Cade, Coastline Insurance Associates of NC, Inc.; Amy Condon, David Condon & Susan Snyder, CreateA-Space; Jeanne Hart, Dosher Memorial Hospital Flea Market; Blair Leach, Focus Broadband; Danny Edwards, Fortitude Roofing; Jack Hamilton, Hamilton Realty Group eXp Realty; Allen Starr, K. Starr Coaching; Kathy Sumner, LaPolena Bed & Breakfast; Sherrie Cass, Allie Foster & Sydney Cass, Live Oak Med Spa; Tami Knight & Brooke Rudd-Gaglie, Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS; Rose MacDonald & Teresa Brookover, Oak Island Senior Center; Melanie Cimino, Ocean Crest Motel; Jack Pickersgill, River Hotel of Southport; Tracy & Bob Brogan, Safe at Home Services; Ally & Donna Pelton, Seaside Dance; Tammy Heiber, Swanson Realty; Denise Hayes, The Apothecary at St. James; Donna Davis, The Artisans Gallery on Howe; and Steve Brennan, St. James Community Center. Not pictured are: The Adventure Kayak Company, Joe’s Golf Simulator, Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge, Hand Crafted Massage, Southern Realty Advantage, Dunes Mercantile Gifts & Guitars, Brunswick Glass, Comfort Science Solutions, Cooper Electric, Cruise Planners Lina Dicola, J.G.M. Tile Group, Pelican Prowash, River Run Pack & Ship, Salt Air Heating, Cooling & Electrical, and The State Port Pilot.

On September 18 an unforgettable gathering occurred at Lazy Turtle Oceanfront Grille — a Jimmy Buffett tribute event uniting fans from diverse backgrounds. The ambiance was electric as around 600 attendees crowded the Lazy Turtle’s back porch and spilled onto the beach’s sandy expanse.

Guests joyfully sang and danced to Jimmy Buffett’s timeless melodies, filling the air with carefree island vibes. Mike Critz, Lazy Turtle’s owner, hosted the event and crafted a special menu inspired by Buffett’s songs and lifestyle. In the spirit of Buffett, the gathering also supported his cherished charity, Save the Manatee, with barcodes strategically placed for easy contributions. The event was organized by Jim & Tricia Robertson and Jeff Moss, who contributed his time, talent and DJ equipment.

Dosher Foundation Awards Scholarships to BCC Students

Dosher Named One of Top Hospitals Nationwide for Nurse Communication

Three Brunswick Community College (BCC) students pursuing careers in the healthcare industry received $1,000 scholarships from Dosher Memorial Hospital Foundation in 2023. The funds

In a recent report compiled by Becker’s Hospital Review, Dosher Memorial Hospital was listed as one of 364 top hospitals nationwide for nurse communication and one of

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WHAT’S HAPPENED

eight in the State of North Carolina. This report was compiled through Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency that works with state governments to manage Medicare and Medicaid in addition to providing many other healthcarerelated resources. According to the report published in Becker’s, the nurse communication rating combined data from three HCAHPS survey questions that summarize how well patients feel that their nurses explained things clearly, listened carefully to the patient and treated the patient with courtesy and respect. The report is based on survey data collected from hospital patients from July 2021 through June 2022.

2021, was sworn in by Chair Alan Holden during the August meeting. Holden also swore in Jenkins, whose service began in 2019. Representative Frank Iler, a board member since 2007, was sworn in by J. Calvin Chandler, District Court Judge, Judicial District 13 (Columbus, Brunswick and Bladen counties).

Boo & Roo’s Celebrates 15 Years in Business

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Oak Island’s Music Mafia Radio Earns Prestigious Industry Award

Music Mafia Radio was awarded the 2023 Gold Radio Station of the Year award at the 5th annual International Singer Songwriters Association awards show held on August 5 at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) is an industry-leading organization dedicated to supporting and serving independent artists and encouraging aspiring and professional singers and songwriters in all genres of music worldwide. The annual awards show is one of the largest independent music gatherings in the world. ISSA boasts more than 16,000 members worldwide with 37 countries represented at this year’s show.

BCC Trustees Renew Service to College Brunswick Community College (BCC) is proud to announce the renewal of service by three members of the college’s Board of Trustees. The trustees include Scott Evans, appointed by the Brunswick County Commissioners; Representative Frank Iler, appointed by the Brunswick County Board of Education; and Ronnie Jenkins, appointed by the Office of Governor Roy Cooper. Evans, a BCC Board of Trustees member since

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Boo & Roo’s of Southport held its 15-year Business Anniversary Celebration on September 29. Owners Penny and John Watkins run the shop at 112 E. Moore Street in Southport and are open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.

School Social Worker Jennifer Ordonez Receives Kiwanis Community Service Award Jennifer Ordonez, a social worker in the South Brunswick school system for more than 15 years and founder of the service-based Surf Dream Club, is the latest recipient of the Kiwanis Award for Excellence in Community Service.

Working with children at South Brunswick elementary, middle and high schools as well as the Center of Applied Sciences and Technology (COAST), Ordonez has mentored hundreds of students and has a special interest in supporting firstgeneration college students. She has supported many students beyond high school graduation as they pursue a college education.

Much of her community service is through the South Brunswick High School Surf Dreams Club. Ordonez has organized surf lessons for some 250 children through the club, which coordinates beach clean-ups, raises funds for the Surf Dreams Foundation and hosts an annual Take a Kid Surfing Day on Oak Island. She also created a $1,000 Surf Dreams Scholarship awarded annually to a Brunswick County graduating senior pursuing a college education.

The Award for Excellence in Community Service is given by the Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island, which is dedicated to serving the children of Brunswick through

WHAT’S HAPPENED

service, education, guidance and leadership. The club supports numerous programs in the county’s elementary, middle and high schools designed to instill a life-long commitment to service among students of all ages and to develop the skills necessary to become community leaders.

Dosher Named Top Hospital for Patient Recommendation In a recent report compiled by Becker’s Hospital Review, Dosher Memorial Hospital was listed as one of the hospitals nationwide and one of 15 in the state of North Carolina that received five (5) stars for patient recommendation.

The report was compiled using data collected from Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency that works with state governments to manage Medicare and Medicaid benefits in addition to providing many other healthcare related resources. According to the article published in Becker’s, the report is based on the recommended hospital star rating, which asks patients in a survey after they have received care, “Would you recommend this hospital to your friends and family?” The report was retrieved from survey data collected from hospital patients from October 2021 through September 2022.

means the Southport Oak Island Interfaith Fellowship will be released as the guarantor for the mortgage. BPH also will have the opportunity to split the two lots bound in the original mortgage to build additional affordable rental units on its campus in the future.

The Felton-Russell House includes the BPH administrative offices and four apartments providing rent-free housing to homeless families with children for up to 12 to 18 months.

BPH staff and trained volunteers provide case management

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Brunswick Partnership for Housing Announces Build Hope Campaign Brunswick Partnership for Housing (BPH) announces the Build Hope Campaign. This campaign is anchored by a $25,000 challenge grant from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport.

The Build Hope campaign is focused on retiring the $75,000 mortgage on the Felton-Russell House at 250 E. 11th Street in Southport. The original purchase price for this transitional housing property and two adjacent lots was $187,000. Donations and a grant from Brunswick County brought the balance of the mortgage to $75,000.

In addition, retirement of the mortgage

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Issue — Fall 2023 27 [Highway George II Highway BoilingSpring Spring Lakes, Lakes, NC from Downtown Southport •1010minutes [Highway 3481 3481 George II Highway 87]87]• •Boiling NC•Premiere minutes from Downtown South Premiere Issue — Fall 2023 27

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WHAT’S HAPPENED

October After Hours at Throw Baxe Southport-Oak Island’s October Business Networking After Hours was held at Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge. Chamber members were treated like royalty by Kevin Hollister, Briton Campbell Hollister and the staff. Throw Baxe offers loads of fun for any business that needs a team-building event, holiday party location or entertainment for the family.

They are located at 806 N. Howe Street in Southport.

Bald Head Coffee® Opens Drive-Thru Coffee Bar Bald Head Coffee® & Tea House has opened of its first standalone drive-thru coffee bar and patio. Located in the Fifty Lakes Commerce Center in Boiling Spring Lakes, the cafe

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

services for families. BPH is currently serving nine people. All families have employment and are connected to local services.

To help retire this mortgage and Build Hope for homeless families in Brunswick County, donate by today via the website at brunswickpartnership.org, on the Facebook page, use the QR code or send a check to BPH Build Hope, 250 E. 11th Street, Southport, NC 28461. Your donation will make a critical difference in families’ lives.

offers a wide range of beverages including coffees, fresh teas, smoothies, frappes and nitro cold brew.

The coffee house also offers breakfast sandwiches, ready-togo salads and wraps, gelato and much more. A ribboncutting celebration with Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce was held on November 14. Owned by Steve Lewis and his wife, Pam, the shop is an outgrowth of the online coffee and tea business they operated at 1433 N. Howe Street in Southport.

Lewis has been in the industry for about 30 years and has management experience with Starbucks and Melitta Coffee.

He also ran a coffee house in Atlanta for five years. The couple supplements their online business, where they have subscribers from across the U.S., with local farm markets and a location at the Blue Moon Gift shops in Wilmington selling their retail bags of coffees and teas.

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8601 E Oak Island Dr, Oak Island, NC, 28465

910-278-1147

WHAT’S HAPPENING

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Oak Island New Year’s Day Beach Lantern Parade

Southport Fire Department Citizen’s Fire Academy

Southport Fire Department Citizen’s Fire Academy

Up Your Arts – Cool & Fancy Gala

January 1

January 15

March 9

The second annual Oak Island unofficial Lantern Parade is a community gathering to display decorative paper lanterns that are lit up by battery operated lights (no open flames allowed).

Attendees will meet and organize at 5:15 pm on the beach at the Oak Island Pier.

Once it gets dark, everyone will walk east together from the pier to just past the McGlamery Street access and back.

Use your Google skills to research how to make a paper lantern or buy one premade. You will need to add a bamboo stick or something similar to carry it and add lights inside to illuminate it. It’s best to wear dark clothing during the walk, so your lantern gets all the attention it deserves.

This is your chance to tour the fire headquarters, be raised in a 101-foot platform aerial and get your hands on the Jaws of Life tools. You can also learn more about breathing apparatus, fire extinguishers and have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to drive a fire engine and ambulance. This event begins at 6 pm at 1011 N. Howe Street in Southport.

The annual Up Your Arts Cool & Fancy Gala is an evening of celebration that brings together community members and local artists in a fun-filled event. It will be held on March 9 from 6 to 10 pm at St. James Community Center.

With musical performances by local talents, delicious food and drink from local restaurants plus amazing auction packages, there is something for everyone at this annual event.

Proceeds from the gala go to support Up Your Arts’ mission to promote and enhance creative and performing arts in the greater Southport area.

Oak Island New Year’s Day Beach Lantern Parade

Information: facebook.com/ events/736246835023729

Oak Island Adventures: Destination Top Golf January 8 Be part of a group trip to Myrtle Beach’s Top Golf, leaving from Oak Island Recreation Center at 9 am and returning at 1 pm. The cost for the trip is $40 for Oak Island residents and $50 for visitors, and lunch is included. Oak Island Recreation is hosting this event Information: (910) 278-5518, oakislandnc. gov/recdesk

Information: southportfd.com

Third Tuesday Lecture Series January 16, February 20, March 19 Held at the Southport Community Building at 223 E. Bay Street at 7 pm, the Third Tuesday Lectures feature a different topic each month. The lectures are free and open to the public; however, donations are happily accepted. Lectures are geared for age 16 and older. Call to register as seating is limited.

Information: (910) 477-5151

Information: upyourarts.org

Southport Spring Festival March 29 & 30

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce’s Coastal Consumer Showcase will be held at the St. James Community Center on Thursday, February 8 from 4 to 7 pm. Vendor applications are being accepted. Besides the opportunity to learn about local businesses and services and to meet business owners, there will be free samples, giveaways, cash drawings and a pick-a-prize auction.

Welcome spring in style at the Southport Spring Festival. This event has been a tradition for more than 28 years and features a variety of activities such as musical entertainment, handmade arts and crafts, children’s activities, azaleas and other plants for sale, and food vendors. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm on Friday and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday.

Information: southport-oakisland.com/article/coastalconsumer-showcase.html

Information : downtownsouthport.org/ southport-spring-festival

Coastal Consumer Showcase February 8

Winter 2023-24

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SPT OKI Magazine

I

SPIRITS

All About

Apple

I

Spice up a weekend morning with a twist on the basic mimosa.

BY SANDI GRIGG

I am a mother of a three-year-old, so I am very familiar with all things apple: apple sauce, apple juice, apple chips, apple oatmeal, apple slices and, more so in the winter months, apple cider.

It is so cute to watch my son spoon his apple oatmeal into his mouth all by himself with his sticky little fingers each morning. When he grabs the apple slices and alternates bite for bite with our dog, as slobber strings from mouth to mouth, I feel a sense of pride that he is eating healthy and encouraging our pet as well.

On those rare occasions when my spouse and I get a peaceful, quiet morning to ourselves, we like to relax with a mimosa in hand. I have made my morning mimosa with all types of juice from the fridge, but my Apple Cider Mimosa is by far the best. It’s fancy without being fussy and super easy to make.

By combining apple cider, a splash of apple brandy and Champagne, a unique effervescent mimosa is created. The Champagne cuts the apple cider’s sweetness, while the brandy adds an undertone kick. Apple brandy or “applejack” is a liquor made from fermented and distilled apples. The bold flavor is indicative of fresh apples, butter and burnt sugar with a distinct apple fragrance. The type of Champagne you use is up to you, but I recommend choosing something dry like a brut, which is actually drier than dry or even extra dry, to keep the drink from being overly sweet.

The signature flavors in this drink make it the perfect cozy cocktail for winter. With my gas logs on high and my oversized sweatpants pulled over my feet, I take a few moments to myself in my favorite recliner with this Apple Cider Mimosa. After that final sip, I stand up and head for the kitchen, not realizing I have apple chips stuck to my bottom …

APPLE CIDER MIMOSA Makes 1 drink You will need Champagne flutes.

INGREDIENTS 1 ounce apple brandy 2 ounces apple cider Champagne Garnish with thinly sliced apple slices and a fresh thyme sprig

METHOD Pour the apple brandy and apple cider into the Champagne flute.

Top with Champagne.

Garnish with thinly sliced apples and fresh thyme.

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WHAT’S COOKIN’ WITH SOUTHERN SANDI

The Perfect

Pie

W

What is more American than a classic apple pie? Well, it just so happens that neither apples nor the pie originally came from America, but Americans have adopted it as an established symbol of their country. The apples are native to Asia and the pie was adopted from Europe — so it’s not really American at all.

Nonetheless, apple pie is one of my favorite pies to make and eat. It can be as simple or as involved as you want it to be and it can appear as fancy or as rustic as you wish.

The perfect pie starts with your choice of apple. I prefer the Granny Smith because they are tart, very firm and hold up well during the baking process. Other apples may be less crisp, turn mushy or lack a sweet or tart flavor.

The second deciding factor is the pie crust. Look, I have certainly tried to make my own pie crust, but it never turns out to be as good or as easy to manipulate as the prepared type you buy from the grocery store. Feel free to make your own, but for the sake of time and creating a delicious pie, I just buy it prepared and ready to use.

My favorite part of making apple pie is peeling, coring and cubing the apples. For others, like my spouse, this is the worst part. But to me, it is comparable to therapy. It is relaxing, I am in control, and it creates a calming and rhythmic sensation.

The precision and repetition gives my mind the structure it

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Apple pie is the quintessential staple of any American kitchen, and this is how to make a great one.

BY SANDI GRIGG

needs to ground me, plus I know it will transform a regular apple into a gooey, sweet and delicious pie.

Cooking the apples is a simple and quick process as the purpose is to merely marry the ingredients and sweat the apples to create the sauce. If you do not sauté your apples before putting them in the oven, you risk underbaking your apples or having a lot of water in your pie.

The crust on top often becomes the star of the show whether it took a lot of time or a little. Options are endless as to layering a beautiful classic lattice pattern, twisted strips, using cookie cutters for leaf patterns or just slapping a cover on top with vent slits. On one occasion when I forgot to thaw out the rolled top dough (and was too impatient to wait for it to thaw), I just started breaking it into chunks and layered the chunks on top. It made a unique rustic-looking pie.

You will see recipes that call for a tin foil cover for the perimeter of the crust. Feel free to do that if you wish, but frankly, I love the crisp, crunchy exterior on a perfectly baked apple pie. The variety of textures and colors just add to the flavor in my opinion.

I hope you enjoy my take on this American classic and that it brings your friends and family together while warming your bellies and hearts.

Q Southern.Sandi

Apple Pie Makes 2 pies

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

12 cups of peeled, cored and cubed apples (I use Granny Smith)

During the peeling, coring and cubing process, you will want to gradually splash the cubes with the lemon juice so they don’t turn brown. Toss lemon juice evenly on all the cubes as you go along.

1 tablespoon lemon juice 4 tablespoons butter ¾ cup white sugar ¾ cup brown sugar 4 tablespoons almond flour ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon apple pie spice

Unroll the prepared pie crust and set aside. Set out the pie crust tins and set aside.

In a large, deep pot melt the butter over medium heat then drop in the apple cubes. Stir to coat with butter.

2 premade pie crusts in a tin dish

Add both white and brown sugar, salt, apple pie spice, flour and stir to coat evenly.

2 sheets of premade pie crust (sold in a roll)

Pour in the sherry and stir until the flour is dissolved.

1 egg

Increase the heat to a low boil and cook until the apples just start to cook on the edges – about 10 minutes. (they will still be crunchy)

¼ cup sherry

1 tablespoon of water 1 tablespoon sanding sugar

Divide the apple mixture into the two pie

crust tins. (It may seem like a lot of juice but it will thicken as it cooks and cools.)

Top each pie with the rolled-out pie crusts and tear off the overhanging crust or fold it around the edges – whichever you prefer. Cut vent slits into the top of the crust in a circle pattern from the center out.

(Feel free to cut the crust into strips and lattice the crust for a fancier look or even tear it into pieces for a more rustic look.)

Mix the egg and water and brush each pie with the egg wash (you won’t use it all).

Divide and sprinkle the standing sugar on top of the pies and place them on a baking sheet. (Now is when you would cover the crust perimeter with foil if you wish – remove when done.)

Bake at 375 degrees F for 50 minutes.

Remove and let cool on a rack before cutting.

Have a recipe request for Southern Sandi?

Shoot a message to sandi@lifeinbrunswickcounty.com

Winter 2023-24

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SPT OKI Magazine

EDUCATION

The Residential Tourists How one family combines homeschooling with exploring all that Oak Island and Southport have to offer.

BY KATHY BLAKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE D PHOTOGRAPHY

Jennifer Henry and her children Zeke, Vivian and Ruby

I

It was a sunny morning, with both the Oak Island and Bald Head lighthouses visible from the Old Bridge as early mist lifted from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Jennifer Henry, who had moved to Leland from Asheville a few years before, took her older daughter to kindergarten and was driving over the bridge with her baby to visit a house the family was building on Oak Island. As the car reached the bridge’s summit, the

Atlantic visible on the horizon, her mind switched gears.

“I said to myself, it’s a beautiful day and my daughter is going to be in school a long time, and she’s missing this,” Henry says. “I was coming over the bridge and I felt, right at that moment, let’s try homeschooling and see if it works for our family. “We will be living on Oak Island, where there are so many places for hands-on learning; let’s see if this works for our kids.”

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EDUCATION

Now the Henry family’s homeschool, Long Beach Preparatory Academy, is in its seventh year. They have been island residents since 2017 and have experienced the crowded version of the island, when 50,000 guests descend on the town and Southport for the Fourth of July, and the quiet version, when the only footprints on a nearly empty beach are made by older couples walking dogs.

The 12-mile-long island’s permanent population has increased

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from 8,501 in 2020 to 9,683 in 2023, partly attributed to COVID when North Carolina ranked seventh, nationally, for relocating. Henry has found that the island has adjusted, with more activities and locally owned businesses catering to children and teens.

“With more people working from home and more jobs adapting to remote work, it allowed people who had wanted to move, but were tied to a location, to go ahead and make that transition to where they wanted to live,” Henry says. “I’ve talked with a lot of people who had a second home here, but made it their only home because they could. And businesses are recognizing that, and a good number of the townspeople are starting businesses as well and catering to families with younger kids. It’s

EDUCATION

good that we no longer have to drive to Leland, or Wilmington, for children’s activities.”

Henry’s oldest daughter, Vivian, is 12 now. Her younger daughter, Ruby, is 7. Baby brother Zeke is 3.

The family (with dad Jon) belongs to a homeschool co-op that meets on Mondays at Southport’s Trinity United Methodist Church, where they do geography and science class as a group.

“For other classes, I use a variety, not one specific curriculum, just what’s best for each child in each subject,” she says. “Some courses are online, and others I fully help with everything. I like to have a schedule with lesson plans so we know what we’re focusing on for the week and month, and hopefully the year. We do school in the morning, then activities in the afternoon.”

The afternoon part, is when Henry’s children transform into explorers and athletes and taste-testers and actors and musicians, and Oak Island and Southport become territories to conquer as Mom drives, each flick of the turn signal leading to a new adventure. She names names.

It’s good that “Southport Suzie’s has ice we no longer cream, but they also have family trivia night. And have to drive Horseplay Farms off Midway to Leland, or (on Clemmons Road SE), Wilmington, offers Saturday morning times for kids for $5 to learn for children’s how to take care of the activities. horses, and they learn all sorts of horsemanship. Great program,” she says.

“The otters at the aquarium (North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher) are really cute,” Vivian says, “and they have a whole habitat for them, and they had a little nest in the back they were sleeping in. It was fun to take the ferry and feed the seagulls from the back.”

“My youngest daughter loves birds,” Henry continues, “so we went to see Mary Ellen (Rogers) at the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter, where she takes care of injured birds. And right off the island, there’s Seaside Dance, and there’s Waterway Music, where Vivian does group guitar lessons.”

They are also involved in Starbright Youth Theater, a local musical theater group that encourages voice,

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EDUCATION

and special friends to chaperone their favorite girls for an evening of fun while supporting a great local cause.

Vivian has a monthly, online homeschool newsletter that chronicles visits to area businesses. She has 61 subscribers. Any child can submit to the newsletter, Henry says. “We just ask that the submissions be kind and respectful and nonviolent, and be original, whether they have artwork or a poem. If they have a writing talent, they are welcome to submit that.”

Southport’s slogan is “The Home of the Salubrious Breezes,” which means favorable to or promoting health or well-being. Oak Island’s is “A Place to Coast” and lists 23 activities under Public Parks and Recreation, including a splash pad, par 3 golf, basketball and pickleball courts, playgrounds, a baseball field, an amphitheater and a community center.

“There are so many options for field trips, some of them for fun, some educational,” Henry says. “There are local people who want to share their knowledge. So we find them, and we hear their stories and their wisdom.

We work hard to make sure each child gets what they need to grow.” 

acting and dance and holds performances at Brunswick Community College’s Odell Williamson Auditorium. They like to visit Inergy Market, on Oak Island Drive, a specialty grocery locally owned by a homeschool family.

“I like the Art Time place (on Oak Island Drive next to Salt 64), and the skate park, because there are lots of ramps for scooters and bikes for little kids, too,” Vivian says.

The family enjoys contributing to the community as well. Henry has planned a fundraising event for WAVES 4 K.I.D.S, a volunteer-run organization that To learn more about all the fun things for supports children and youth in the foster kids and teens to do in the area: system and other difficult situations in Brunswick County. The event, scheduled Subscribe to Vivian Henry’s newsletter by emailing homeschoolunitednewsletter@gmail.com. for February 4 from 4 to 7 pm, is called You can also submit articles for consideration.

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WHEN

DREAMS TAKE

FLIGHT

Helicopter and fixed-wing aviator and flight instructor Jessica Ward founded High Tide Aviation in Southport in 2013, and the business continues to soar to new heights.

BY RANDI JO ROOKS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASEY LAUREN TOWNSEND

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SPT OKI Magazine

When Ward discovered there was no place to fly helicopters in the Wilmington area, she established High Tide Helicopters at Cape Fear Jetport in 2013.

Helicopter pilots Willis Tew and Paige Angelo prepare to take clients on a tour.

Winter 2023-24

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F

From a very young age, Jessica Ward, founder and CEO of High Tide Aviation, has been fascinated by flying. It all started while visiting the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh from her hometown of Rocky Mount when she was only 6 years old. Never a timid child, Ward jumped at the opportunity when her parents offered $20 for her to take a 2-seater helicopter tour above the fairgrounds. That short helicopter ride impacted the rest of her life.

“Seeing everything from up above was just so different and it was so amazing to me,” she says. “Since that day, I have been obsessed with helicopters and flying.”

The passion and obsession may not have waned over the years, but as she started to think of careers and how expensive it would be to pursue being a helicopter pilot, Ward realized she was going to have to be very patient and put in a lot of work if she was going to make her dream come true. Fortunately, she says, “I have always been attracted to things that are really challenging because it’s so rewarding when you can learn and grow and work hard and overcome.”

Ward graduated from UNC Wilmington in 2006 and quickly learned that she could not sit at a desk 40 hours a week. She knew she would have to fund her dreams in a

different way than doing office work. She shifted gears and started working as an assistant camerawoman in the film industry. By 2010 Ward had saved up enough money to give her dream some wings, and she entered flight school in Oregon while continuing to work in film.

Of the roughly 5,000 helicopter pilots in the United States, only 5% are female. This statistic did not deter Ward, and she quickly earned her helicopter certificate at age 27, becoming one of an elite group of remarkable women. When she returned to the Wilmington area, she knew she wanted to keep her license current, but the closest area to fly was Charlotte. She put in many road miles along with her hours in the air, all the while dreaming of the next challenge she would tackle.

Ward decided if there was not a place to fly helicopters in the Wilmington area, she would create one. With this desire to make a living out of her passion, High Tide Helicopters was born in 2013. In her first year of business, she took five pilots under her wing and instructed them to successfully earn their helicopter certificates.

As time went on as a certified flight instructor (CFA), Ward had many students who were fixed-wing pilots who wanted to cross over to flying helicopters. She quickly realized that to be a more effective instructor to these students, she needed to take some lessons in flying a plane so she could understand how her students were thinking

In addition to tours, High Tide offers flight training. At this writing, High Tide and its 18 employees were training 107 fixed-wing students and 13 helicopter students. Below, helicopter pilot Paige Angelo prepares for flight.

Winter 2023-24

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“ We love taking kids especially.

They get so excited, and we know it will be something they will always remember. and what their instincts were. In December multi-engine training) and the Bonanza (for SOAR TO 2016 she started to add on her fixed-wing complex and high-performance training).

NEW ratings at the Cape Fear Jetport, where High The next challenge on Ward’s radar was to HEIGHTS Tide is located. get herself a stronger business foundation to Ward earned her private pilot license but be able to lead High Tide to its next levels of High Tide Aviation did not stop there. She went on to earn success. She was admitted to Duke 4009 Airport ratings in multi-engine, commercial and University’s Weekend Executive MBA Road SE, Southport then her fixed-wing CFI so she could start Program and finished this 22-month m (910) 477-1926 offering airplane flight instruction alongside program in 2022. While earning that MBA, K flyhightide.com helicopter instruction.

High Tide opened its second location in St. A couple of years later, Ward had three Simon’s Island, Georgia. friends who wanted to learn to fly. They Today High Tide and its 18 employees are bought a plane together and hired Ward to training 107 fixed-wing students and 13 train them. They also allowed her to lease helicopter students. the plane to instruct others. The business “We really love being part of somebody’s and demand for plane instruction continued to grow until passion for aviation,” Ward says. “It is so rewarding to see Ward knew she had to buy High Tide its own plane. people achieve their goals and advance. And now we have In the summer of 2019, High Tide purchased its first even been able to see some of our students move on to C-172. Four years later, High Tide’s fleet includes six C-172s thriving careers. It’s really amazing to be part of helping (Skyhawks) alongside the R44 helicopter, the Baron (for people achieve their goals.”

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SPT OKI Magazine

At the summer peak and around the winter holidays when tours are at their highest, High Tide is touring 200 clients in 85 tours per month. High Tide employee and tour guide Christian Erichsen says, “I just love giving tours and the grins we see when they are coming out of the plane or helicopter. We love taking kids especially. They get so excited, and we know it will be something they will always remember.”

Tour guide, CFI and the newest employee at High Tide, Paige Angelo is the only other female staff member. After eight years of active-duty service in the army, Angelo was able to pursue her dream of flying. She recently relocated to southeastern North Carolina from Utah to take a job with High Tide after seeking out and interviewing with Ward.

Angelo wanted to be hired at a location where tours and training were both available, and she wanted to give tours that were more than a quick up-and-down, five-minute peek at the area. High Tide is exactly what she was looking for, and Angelo says she is grateful to be working with Ward and for the opportunity to fly in such a beautifully scenic area.

So, what is next for High Tide?

A third location has just been opened in Beaufort, South Carolina, and Ward is looking forward to helping these businesses thrive so she can have her schedule opened to pursue traveling, scuba diving and some good old-fashioned R&R. Ward’s story is a great reminder that dreams do come true — with a lot of hard work, patience, tenacity and no fear of new heights. 

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L On L E A V I N

G

T H

E

ight

Oak Island Lighthouse, the newest of the Cape Fear lighthouses, is a landmark with a presence and a purpose.

STORY & PHOTOS BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

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SPT OKI Magazine

D

uring a recent visit to the Oak Island Lighthouse, I asked one of the friendly volunteers if someone could tell me more about the history of this prominent landmark. Her reply was quick and decisive, “You need to talk to Bob!” Robert (Bob) Ahlers has been chairman of the board for Friends of

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

Oak Island Lighthouse was built in 1958 to safely guide ships to the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

the Oak Island Lighthouse (FOIL) for the past 10 years. His fascination with the lighthouse began shortly after retiring from a career in computer programming and moving to Caswell Beach in 2000.

“The lighthouse was owned by the government, and they wanted to sell it as surplus property,” Ahlers says. “My wife, Deborah, was on town council at the time, and the council voted to buy the lighthouse and open it up to the public as a historic site.” In 2004 the federal government deeded the lighthouse and surrounding property to the Town of Caswell Beach as part of the Federal Land to Parks Program.

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“ The lighthouse at Oak Island has the distinct pattern of four one-second flashes followed by one sixsecond pause. The light never gets turned off; it runs 24/7.

Bob Ahlers is chairman of the board for the Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse 44

SPT OKI Magazine

Built in 1958, Oak Island Lighthouse is an impressive structure. It was the fourth lighthouse built in the region. The other three were built on Smith Island, better known today as Bald Head Island. Their purpose was to safely guide ships to the mouth of the Cape Fear River, ultimately leading them to the Port of Wilmington.

The lights used in the Oak Island Lighthouse are the heart of the structure and can be seen for 24 nautical miles. Over the years, the lamps used in the lighthouse have changed as technology has improved. Mercury, incandescent and halogen bulbs were all used until recently.

“We were the first rotating LED light in a lighthouse in 2020,” Ahlers says. “To date it is the only rotating LED light in a U.S. lighthouse that we know about.

Every 10 seconds the light does a 360-degree rotation.

The new light is brighter than the previous one, has the same 24-mile nautical visibility and a pencil point beam.”

Every lighthouse has a unique flashing pattern, so that navigators can easily identify and distinguish one lighthouse from another. The lighthouse at Oak Island has the distinct pattern of four one-second flashes followed by one six-second pause. The light never gets turned off; it runs 24/7.

Much like ship captains would have done hundreds of years ago from the water, Ahlers uses the light from the lighthouse as a point of reference on land. “Whenever I drive off the island and then come back, I can clearly see the light from the lighthouse as I come over the bridge on the east end. I see the light welcoming me home. I’m home, the lights are on!” Ahlers says.

The light is not the only unique aspect of the lighthouse. While other lighthouses feature a spiral staircase inside that leads to the top, Oak Island Lighthouse has a series of vertical metal steps from the ground to the top. Fashioned much like ship ladders, the 131 steps are at a steep 65-degree angle. While intimidating to some, this configuration is quicker to climb than a spiral ladder.

Ahlers works alongside more than 30 volunteers to offer tours to the top of the lighthouse, educate the public about its history and preserve the lighthouse and surrounding grounds. FOIL does not charge admission for tours. “We raise approximately $20,000 in funds annually through donations and the sale of merchandise, which covers repairs and improvements to the site,” Ahlers says.

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Station at Caswell Beach. The Coast Guard is currently responsible for providing the power and maintaining the lights at the lighthouse. The Oak Island Life Saving Station, in use until 1938, sits across the street. It has since been sold and is now a private residence.

Over the past 18 years, FOIL has made many significant improvements to the property, most notably the large visitor parking lot, observation deck and boardwalk that provides access to the beach. The placards along the way educate visitors about the

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marine creatures and birds found near the coast as well as the history of President James Monroe’s travels through the area in the early 1800s.

While many lighthouses are strictly used for educational purposes, Oak Island Lighthouse still serves as a navigational beacon for watercraft.

“Local boaters tell us it is comforting to see the lighthouse before they can see the land and they know they are getting close to the entrance to the Cape Fear,” Ahlers says.

K oakislandlighthouse.org Tours are currently free.

Climbing to the top is available from October 1 to April 30 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Instead of a traditional spiral staircase, Oak Island Lighthouse has a series of vertical metal steps, much like ship ladders. Visitors can climb the 131 steps to the top to see the fantastic view.

Families are welcome and encouraged to visit.

However, children younger than the age of 9 can only explore the first floor for safety reasons. If you are interested in climbing the 131 steps to the top level located just below the lantern, reservations can be made online. The view from the top is spectacular. About 5,600 visitors made the climb to the top last year.

“We want visitors to have a fun experience,” Ahlers says. “People can walk up and take pictures, whether they make it to the top or not. We want them to understand why the lighthouse was built, how technology has changed and what function it provides today.”  46

SPT OKI Magazine

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Celebrating its 30th year, Mr. P’s Bistro in Southport is a true family affair and a living reminder of its namesake, Norman Phipps.

BY RANDI JO ROOKS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASEY LAUREN TOWNSEND

Mr.P’s Legacy “Cooking is the best

thing there is,”

says Stephen Phipps, chef and co-owner of Mr. P’s Bistro in Southport.

Stephen has been pouring his heart and soul into food since he started cooking at age 16 alongside his father, Norman Phipps, aka “Mr. P.” Norman was a consummate restaurant professional who owned and operated numerous local restaurants, where Stephen and his siblings, Philip, Cory and Virginia, grew up working. Whether cooking, serving, hosting, cleaning or bussing tables, the Phipps children learned how to work hard and contribute to the family businesses.

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Top and middle: Norman “Mr. P” Phipps at Mr. P’s; bottom, the Phipps children, Cory, Stephen, Virginia and Philip, in 1994.

Executive Chef Stephen Phipps, right, and his son, Addison Phipps, prepare for dinner service at Mr. P’s.

It was Stephen who had the vision to open Mr. P’s Bistro, the name inspired by both his father and Mr. B’s Bistro in New Orleans, famous for its barbecue shrimp and oysters. That was back in 1993, and 30 years later Stephen still actively works in the kitchen and is involved in the daily restaurant tasks.

Every day he calls John Haag, the fishmonger he has been talking to for 40 years, to find out what’s coming in fresh for the day, which is vitally important for a restaurant that focuses on seafood and low-country cuisine. Stephen’s specialties include Oysters Bienville (once highlighted in Southern Living magazine), Smith Island Seafood Okra Gumbo, shrimp and grits, blackened tuna, shrimp scampi, Angus beef tenderloin medallions and more.

“This man is the cooking-est fool you’ll ever meet,” Stephen’s son, Addison, teases, thickening his Southern accent. “I mean really.

Every single day he gets up, makes breakfast, makes the cheesecake for the restaurant, makes lunch, and then heads up here to start preparing for the dinner!”

Working as a Team

Stephen’s passion for the kitchen is equaled by his brother-in-law Chris Smith’s zeal for customer service. As general manager at Mr. P’s, Chris exudes all the best in Southern hospitality: a calm, peaceful spirit, a sense of humor and great humility. The brothersin-law make a dynamic duo with a special gift for making guests Winter 2023-24

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feel like a part of the family.

“We really have a great mix of long-term customers, local customers and seasonal visitors,” says Chef Stephen, “and when I say long-term customers, I mean there are many families that have been dining with us for four generations in their family. We really love to take care of those long-term clients as best we can.”

Mr. P’s has long been voted as the “Favorite Place to Celebrate” in Southport, and that’s something Chris is proud of. “It is truly an honor to be trusted with special occasions in our guests’ lives,” he says. “From planting that engagement ring on a dessert plate

to lighting countless birthday candles, even watching faces light up to a fresh arrangement of flowers for that unsuspecting spouse, we are thankful to share in each celebration.”

Chris says his father-in-law was a great father figure and mentor. With Mr. P’s encouragement, Chris earned his hospitality management degree in 2001, seven years after first working with Mr. P at Harborside, a former Phipps family restaurant. Harborside is where Chris met the love of his life, Cory, who happened to be the boss’s beautiful daughter. Chris and Cory’s daughters, Bronwyn and Carrington Smith, also work at the restaurant.

Left to right, staff members Taylor and Trinity behind the bar; Stephen and Addison cooking; Jane “Mrs. P” Phipps, in the foyer next to the picture of Mr. P

“We love working with family and are so proud of what we all do to carry on our grandfather’s hard work, goals, dreams and legacy,” Carrington says.

Addison was raised in the restaurant kitchen just like his father and his grandfather and now works at Mr. P’s as a chef and bartender. Well-spoken, confident and friendly, he is great with people and has been interacting with customers since before age 10, when he

The family of Mr. P’s: in back, Chef Stephen Phipps and Addison Phipps; middle, Chris and Cory Smith, Jane Phipps; front, Carrington Smith and Bronwyn Smith Winter 2023-24

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started as a busboy.

“Many of our customers have watched me grow up and some of them have even watched my father grow up,” Addison says. “It really is pretty amazing.”

Addison says he understood from a very young age that being part of Mr. P’s family at the Bistro was to have a unique place in his community. He heard the praise from diners each night on how much they enjoyed the food and saw their faces light up every time they saw one of his family members. He remembers how grateful guests were to be so well taken care of and made to feel so special. These childhood experiences all left a lasting impression on him at a young age.

At the head of the family is matriarch Mrs. P, Jane Phipps, described as the family prayer warrior and encourager, though she has retired from the family business. She says working as a family is never without its strain, but she believes that the family

Married to Mr. P’s daughter, Cory, General Manager Chris Smith is part of the family.

becomes stronger through each challenge. Stephen says the advantage to working in partnership and as a team is that “you can spread the stress around to all the shoulders.” Chris agrees. “We put ourselves second and give our best to others and we just believe the Lord will take care of us and give us all we need.”

The staff is treated like family as well. A waitress for more than a decade in the ‘90s and early 2000s, Maggie Dimette says, “The Phipps always treats the staff like family. It is a family-run business and eventually, that extended to those that work there.

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Mr. P’s Bistro has been a favorite Southport restaurant since 1993.

Twenty years later, I still consider the Phipps and the crew I worked with as family.”

Building on a

Firm Foundation

After a lifetime of serving the community in restaurants, Mr. P passed away unexpectedly in 2009.

From his early childhood in the kitchen at Faircloth’s Oyster Roast in Wrightsville Beach (owned by his Aunt Gertrude Ellington) to his last restaurant, Mr. P’s Bistro, he was a part of many special memories and family gatherings.

Listening to Addison, Stephen and Chris, it’s very clear that Mr. P passed down much more than great recipes. He taught responsibility, working hard, giving your best at what you do, serving others, being patient and working as a team. They say Mr. P was known to be a man of few words and could express himself with a look, but the words he did say were always impactful. A favorite of his sayings: “If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.”

He was known to be intimidating

at times and always a firm leader, but underneath that hard exterior was a heart of gold. Being what he called the “best kind of rich,” he was quietly generous and a believer in unseen generosity and “never letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” In living that out, his life was a shining example in the community.

When asked why they have not expanded or pursued bigger business opportunities, Chris explains, “We are willing to sacrifice of ourselves for our customers and for the high-quality experience and food we offer… but we are not willing to sacrifice ourselves or our family just for more money. Mr. P always said it’s all about the intangible rewards you will receive from this job.

He always said that, and he really was right.”

“It’s true,” Stephen agrees. “When

you spread yourself too thin, everything eventually falls apart. We are proud that every night customers come in here, somebody from the family will be here. We are proud of how we have enriched other people’s lives and because of that we really are the best kind of rich.”

Mr. P’s children and grandchildren have faithfully carried on his legacy: the low-country cuisine and seafood recipes that have been passed on for many generations, the hard work ethic, the desire to serve people and brighten their days, the quiet generosity and the determination to do your best with what you’ve been given.

The future looks bright for Mr. P’s Bistro to continue shining as a community leader staying committed to offering the best fine dining and Southern hospitality around with great

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care and love. Addison says he hopes that Mr. P’s is around for many years to come.

“I know without a doubt what I am supposed to do,” he says. “And I couldn’t be more excited about it. I’ve tested and tried it and gone other places and pursued other things, but it all brought me right back here.”

In a fast-growing and quickly changing area, Mr. P’s Bistro’s longstanding presence and the family’s determination to keep it thriving are reminders of the importance of a firm foundation. Mr. P’s steadfast commitment to quality, family and staff are evident in the heart and soul his family pours into every dish and every encounter at the restaurant.

“Mr. P has been gone for a while, but as you can see, he’s still around,” Jane says. 

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GUARDIANS of the

DUNES

Dean Russell’s driftwood art attracts attention on the dunes of Oak Island.

BY JOHN L. CARDILLO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY

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SPT OKI Magazine

D

Dean Russell is too modest to call himself an artist, but those who enjoy his creations, found on an empty beachfront lot on Oak Island, would likely disagree.

Artists see things others may not in the mundane. They have a vision for what can be.

They take inanimate objects and turn them into something that has character and can elicit emotion. By these definitions, Russell is indeed an artist despite his protests.

Winter 2023-24

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His sculptures, crafted from stuff just comes naturally to me. So, nothing more than driftwood found I started building these creatures in on area beaches, attract attention on my yard in pieces, carried them over the lot off E. Beach Drive between to the empty lot, and put them up.”

55th and 58th streets on Oak Island.

Russell draws inspiration for his Those who have discovered these characters from the classic children’s unique creations bring others to the book Where the Wild Things Are by beach so they can see them for Maurice Sendak. Like Max, the themselves. People photograph the book’s main character, who uses his wooden creatures and post them on imagination to create monsters, social media, creating even more Russell uses his mind’s eye to craft buzz for Russell’s work. The curious his creations. And like the young wonder when something new will be explorer in the book, Russell strives added. for his monsters to have unique Russell, 51, estimates he’s built personalities.

10 driftwood creatures in the past That’s not to say, however, that few years. The locals named his his work is meant to reflect the first creation Root Groot, and characters in the book. He’s Russell collectively calls his works currently working, for example, on the Guardians of the Dunes, a nod “a hermit-looking guy” with a to the popular Marvel movie working title of “The Local.”

Guardians of the Galaxy. (Groot “Lots of times I start something and Baby Groot are characters in and I’m not sure what it’s going to those films.) So far, his creations be,” Russell says. “They’re just have held up well during coastal ‘whatever’ until I start seeing how storms, although sand has started things could work together. taking over some of his earliest Sometimes it starts out as one thing works. and it ends up as something It all started in 2021 when completely different. I never really Russell, a soft-spoken and down-toknow what it’s going to be until it’s earth soul, moved to Oak Island and all said and done.” began collecting driftwood during Asked if he plans to continue his beach walks. Like those who adding to the Guardians of the collect shells, his inventory quickly Dunes, he says he will — mostly grew. In examining his treasures, he because it is what people want. began envisioning how the pieces of “The main reason I do it is weathered wood because I see the could fit together to reactions I get from form something people,” Russell says. greater than the sum “From kids to of its parts.

90-year-olds, they “I’ve always built really seem to get a stuff, like Hot Rods kick out of it. I like CURIOUS? and things like that,” to see them smile Find the says Russell, who and I like the fact Guardians of the does home that they really Dunes creatures on remodeling and seem to enjoy it. If E. Beach Drive lawn maintenance. there’s a demand for between 55th and “Building and them, I guess I’ll 58th streets on putting together keep at it.”  Oak Island.

Winter 2023-24

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Happier Birthdays With Birthday Wishes Ministry, Jill Leach is on a mission to make sure every child in Brunswick County receives a birthday gift.

BY JO ANN MATHEWS

J

|

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE D PHOTOGRAPHY

Jill Leach wears her signature lime green jacket with “Birthday Wishes, a Ministry for Children” embroidered on the left panel. Next to it a balloon with a tail is ready to soar heavenward.

“I was a single mom with three children in Connecticut,” Leach says. “I applied for assistance but was denied because I was making too much money.” But her annual $22,000 salary didn’t cover all of her family’s expenses.

Leach remarried, and 30 years later, in 2012, she and her

Jill Leach at Another Woman’s Treasures

husband, Gary, moved to Bolivia. She never forgot the lean years of the past and decided to help women who share what she once lived. A call to Virginia Williamson Elementary School before Christmas revealed a mother with five children — just the type of family Leach wanted to help. She and Gary provided food, clothing and gifts for the family and continued this assistance for five years, even helping them move out of state to be near family.

The Leaches’ kindness took a turn in December 2021 when Winter 2023-24

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NONPROFIT

Birthday Wishes board vice president Deb Edwards showing examples of birthday packages and the cards children receive.

Leach saw an online item at Next Door stating a mother needed clothing for her children. Leach contacted the mother with news she would provide clothing and Christmas presents, but the mother explained she could not pay her rent if she bought a birthday gift for her son. Could Leach wrap one gift in birthday paper?

Of course she could, and Birthday Wishes Ministry, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was born. She planned to give genderneutral, age-appropriate gifts, such as puzzles and singleperson games that didn’t need batteries, for children at Brunswick County elementary schools. She learned that just at Virginia Williamson Elementary, 75 students were registered with Matthews Ministry, which provides backpacks with food for weekends.

Gordon Burnette, chief communications officer at Brunswick County Schools, reports that 56% of students in Brunswick County Schools live at or below the poverty line.

“We are a district of over 13,000 students, so this would be approximately 7,280 students,” he writes in an email.

The first year of Birthday Wishes Ministry, Leach gave the 75 students birthday gifts through the school’s parent facilitator. The second year she included nine elementary schools; however, logistics became complicated, so another 60

SPT OKI Magazine

light bulb was lit.

Leach contacted Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA), which welcomed her idea.

Now when clients register at BFA, a lime green paper explains the gift concept for children ages 5 through 12 and asks for children’s first name, age and birth date. Each gift includes a handmade card and religious pamphlets. Children began receiving birthday gifts at BFA in August 2023, and the ministry plans to give more than 800 birthday gifts through BFA this year.

“Birthday Wishes Ministry is such a unique program, but one that makes a huge difference in kids’ lives,” writes Stephanie Bowen, executive director of BFA. “What Jill and her team are doing is amazing, and I am glad BFA can be a small part of it. It is a blessing to our clients and their children.”

Leach says they enjoy doing this. “We want to meet the families and the children and listen to their other needs and

NONPROFIT

pray with them,” Leach says. “We feel we need that face-toface contact, and we can do that at BFA.” Donations from friends and family provided the initial money, along with proceeds from the sale of dozens of oil and watercolor landscapes and seascapes Leach had painted. She teaches art classes with the money going to the ministry.

A fundraising tea party at Winding River included a silent auction of women’s accessories — jewelry, belts, scarves and handbags. Nearly 200 women attended, raising more than $6,000 for the ministry. It has also received several local grants.

As the project mushroomed, Leach formed a board of directors with her as president and chief executive officer and Gary as treasurer. Now more than 50 volunteers assist. Leach set up an amazon.com wish list and buys birthday paper from amazon.

The success of the tea party prompted Leach to pursue another source of income.

The group acquired a retail space at Crossroads Gathering Place in Oak Island and call it Another Woman’s Treasures.

Katie Clegg and Breanna Jones, co-owners of Crossroads Gathering Place, are supportive of the ministry.

“We knew we wanted them as a vendor,” Jones says and adds that Birthday Wishes began its display in May. “They are a top vendor, and customers are very supportive of their ministry.”

“Everyone has brought their talent, knowledge and skill, and it’s all come together,” says Deb Edwards, board vice president.

“We want to do this forever,” Leach says, but adds that she hopes that so many children will not need this in the future. 

Right, Jill Leach and Deb Edwards are surrounded by the birthday presents they will distribute to Brunswick County students. Below, from left, Leach and Edwards with volunteers Sally Waters, Mary Hook and June O’Connor

WANT TO HELP? Birthday Wishes Ministry K birthdaywishesministry.org k info@birthdaywishesministry.org m (910) 712-2356 T Amazon wish list: amazon.com/registries/gl/ guest-view/QFJQ5QOPQGJB

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Winter 2023-24

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The families behind In the Pines. From left: Heather and Charlie Greene, their son, Dalton and dog Rollie; Bryan and Jessie Judge and their girls Porter and Fallon; Joe and Kelley Delvecchio and their children Jack and Charlotte; and Joe and Theresa Judge with their dog Teddy.

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

TO K BAC E R U T A N

Now open in Bolivia, In the Pines RV & Cabin Village is the culmination of a family’s rediscovery of the great outdoors.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS

he Judge family is so excited that In the Pines RV & Cabin Village is now open in Bolivia. This charming campground is tucked away in the loblolly pines just a short drive away from Southport and Oak Island. It features eight uniquely styled, adorably cozy cabins that are just the place to spend a relaxing vacation. Each cabin can sleep up to four people and includes bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, grills, firepits, porch seating and more. The campground also features 30 and 50 amp full hook-up RV sites. Guests can enjoy walking trails, a fenced-in dog park, gem mining, a playground, a jump pad and more.

This isn’t your typical, corporate RV park. This park is 100% family owned, and much thought and love went into every detail. This park has been years in the making and all started with an idea Bryan Judge had when traveling across the country with his family.

Bryan and his wife, Jessie, settled down in Brunswick County, where Bryan was the owner and operator of Snap-On Tools franchises. Although he loved what he did, he eventually knew he wanted to pursue something different.

They decided to sell their business after Hurricane Florence, and in the summer of 2019 the couple sold their home, bought and moved into their new fifth-wheel RV and got on the road. For the next eight months, they travelled across the country from Maine to California. Along the way they stayed at a range of locations, from large, franchised RV parks and small mom-and-pop campgrounds to state parks, national parks and everywhere in between.

“I realized pretty quickly that it didn’t matter where we were or what time of year we were there, all these RV parks seemed to have a great sense of

Eight adorable, cozy cabins provide all the necessary comforts for a relaxing vacation.

Winter 2023-24

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The campground includes 30 full-hookup RV sites, eight cabins, a multipurpose building, a store, showers, bathrooms, a playground, a dog park and more.

Construction on the pool is slated to start this winter.

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SPT OKI Magazine

community where everyone was friendly and having a good outdoors, because that’s what’s important to us,” Bryan says. time,” Bryan says.

“We wanted to create a destination where people can come The experience of living light and keeping things simple and socialize, and that’s reflected in the layout of the park, as helped the Judges rediscover what was important to them as a everything is wrapped around the clubhouse where the pool, family. No longer bogged down by the demands and community firepits and leisure games will be. We’ll distractions that had occupied them in the past, the couple felt eventually want to have food trucks and live music too, things closer to each other, their children and to the natural beauty that bring people together.” around them.

“We spaced the RV sites out so they’re not on top of each Their experience was the inspiration behind owning and operating a family-owned campground. The couple and their children returned to their home state of North Carolina just as the world was shutting down due to the pandemic, but that didn’t stop them from putting their plan in motion.

Building a campground was a much bigger undertaking than Bryan initially imagined. He elicited the help and advice of his dad, Joe Judge, who was incredibly supportive of Bryan’s idea and turned it into a reality. They brought in Bryan’s sisters and their husbands, Heather and Charlie Greene and Joe and Kelley Del Vecchio. With all four families invested and involved, they knew they could really make this happen.

“I am so thankful for my family’s support,” Bryan says.

“Without them, this park would just be a dream. My dad really believed in my idea and I am especially thankful for all he and my mom have done to make this a reality.”

In 2020, the Judges found the perfect spot for their campground, a 40-acre pine tree farm off N.C. Highway 87 in Bolivia. Then began the hard part: securing architects and engineers, waiting on permit approvals and reconciling financial projections made at the start of the pandemic with the ever-increasing costs they encountered as time went on.

“The struggle of getting permits approved and people lined up dragged out the process, so between the time frame and the price increases, if we didn’t have the full support of our family being in on it together, it wouldn’t have been possible,” Bryan says.

The first phase of the park included other, because we want it to feel more the development of the front 20 acres, woodsy and less commercial,” Jessie adds.

Ready for an leaving the back 20 acres untouched.

For the Judges, family is the inspiration The property includes an adorable and motivation behind everything they store, beautiful tile showers, bathrooms have in store for In the Pines. The family and a laundry facility. A boat and RV is thrilled to share the joys of camping In the Pines RV & Cabin Village storage area is coming soon, and with others.

1600 George II Highway SE, Bolivia construction on the pool is planned to “We hope the campground becomes a inthepinesrv.com start this winter. generational part of our lives and Facebook and Instagram: “Our vision has always been focused something we can pass on to all of our @inthepinesrvnc around community, nature and the kids,” Bryan says. 

ADVENTURE?

Winter 2023-24

65

I

Where Farming is a Family Thing.

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with Heritage Fresh Market.

Sweet potatoes are a staple vegetable during winter months. They are naturally sweet and easy to incorporate into many savory dishes and seasonal desserts. This recipe is a great way to showcase delicious sweet potatoes from Heritage Fresh Market in your next Sunday morning breakfast.

INSTRUCTIONS

S W E E T P O T A T O WA F F L E S MAKES: 16 WAFFLES PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES INGREDIENTS

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon baking soda • ½ teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice • 1 cup baked sweet potato, cooled and mashed • 1½ cups milk • 3 large eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 1/3 cup canola oil

• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Stir the sweet potato mixture into the dry ingredients until well blended.

• Heat the waffle iron to medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Add 1/3 cup of batter to the center of each grid of the waffle iron. Grids should NOT be full at the edges, allowing space for the batter to expand. Close the lid and cook for about 4 minutes or until the waffle iron stops steaming.

• Carefully remove the hot waffles from the iron. Place them on a baking sheet and cover with a dish towel to keep them warm while making the remaining waffles. Repeat this process.

• Extra waffles can be frozen for later use. Simply put them in the toaster to reheat. Serve Sweet Potato Waffles with crispy bacon, fresh fruit and rich maple syrup for a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner. And remember to visit Heritage Fresh Market today for all of your favorite winter produce.

Heritage Fresh Market offers a wide variety of fresh winter produce including collards, mustard greens, turnips, sweet potatoes, cabbage, pecans, and more! We have all you need to prepare fresh, seasonal meals that are certain to bring joy during your time around the dinner table! follow us 66

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FALL & WINTER HOURS:

Monday - Friday 9 am - 5:30 pm Saturday 9 am - 5 pm Closed Sunday

www.heritagefreshmarket.com 20 Sellers Road Supply, NC 910.253.1330

PEOPLE

Surviving and Thriving

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY

In 2019, at age 52, Amy Burns was in the prime of her life. She stayed active, worked out, practiced yoga and loved to windsurf. And then, one morning while taking a shower, her world changed.

“I soaped up, and my fingers went over a spot that I initially thought was a muscle knot. And then I said to myself, ‘Who are you kidding, that’s not a muscle knot,’” Burns says. “Call it woman’s intuition, I just knew it was cancer.”

Burns always did everything right. She was an athlete, never smoked, always made her yearly exams and had no family history of breast cancer. So, she immediately hoped for the best.

She promptly made an appointment with her primary care provider, Dr. Alex Newsom, who scheduled a mammogram and then a biopsy, which came back positive for cancer.

Burns was diagnosed with IDC or Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, which could eventually spread through the lymph nodes or bloodstream to other areas of the body.

“Within a week, I had surgery to remove the lump and the lymph nodes closest to the tumor,” she says.

Initially, her doctors thought the cancer was not invasive and that radiation would be the only necessary course of action following surgery. However, a final pathology indicated cancer in four lymph nodes under the arm, which put her into stage three cancer.

“I didn’t cry much at all,” Burns says. “I just remember saying to my doctor, ‘OK, what do we do? Let’s get the ball rolling because this isn’t taking me out.’”

After 16 rounds of aggressive chemo and six weeks of daily radiation, Burns is cancer-free.

“

I

Southport resident Amy Burns shares what life is like after breast cancer.

I just remember saying to my doctor, ‘OK, what do we do? Let’s get the ball rolling because this isn’t taking me out.’

Winter 2023-24

67

PEOPLE

Burns has found purpose and community by participating in events like Pledge the Pink on Oak Island and the annual Run for the Ta Tas in Wilmington.

She credits her “Multiple D [for disciplinarian] team of doctors” for saving her life, including Dr. Newsom, her surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Weinberg, her oncologist, Dr. Lindsey Prochaska and the staff at the Zimmer Cancer Institute.

In addition to her medical support team, Burns is thankful for her network of family and friends who helped her get through her treatment, and her 68

SPT OKI Magazine

personal trainer and life coach, Alex Gonzalez, who helped get her muscles and bones strong again, boost her morale and put her in a positive place.

Most importantly, she credits her husband, Pat, for being her biggest cheerleader.

“He kissed my bald head every day and told me I was beautiful,” Burns says. “It’s tough losing your hair, but

it’s even worse losing your eyelashes and eyebrows. He made me feel beautiful and loved.”

Four years into her remission, Burns reflects on her health journey and how it “changed life for the better.” Before her diagnosis, she was working full-time, all the time in a very stressful job. She and Pat moved to Southport in 2018 to be near the beach,

PEOPLE

yet she rarely went to the beach because of work.

“I think God smacked me with this to wake me up,” she says. “When you beat something like this, your

perspective changes so much.”

After surviving breast cancer, Burns made some important changes to her life. She goes to the beach regularly. She moved from a stressful job to a job in retail and is loving working with people. “I will never go back to a desk job again,” she says.

She also has a newfound sense of passion and purpose for helping others survive breast cancer and bringing awareness to the disease. Burns recently participated in the Pledge the Pink event in Oak Island, which raises money for breast cancer support and research. It is

a four-day event in which participants “walk, run, crawl or waddle 33.1 miles on three gorgeous courses.”

Burns also participates in the annual Run for the Ta Tas, a 5K and 1-mile race held in Wilmington that helps raise money for organizations that aid in the fight against breast cancer.

“Dr. Weinberg also participates, and the last time I ran it, as I approached the finish line, I could hear the times being called out, and as I came across the finish line I burst into tears,” Burns says. “I found Dr. Weinberg, and I hugged her and I thanked her for saving my life, and I said to her, ‘I just had my best time ever!’ It’s a big, wonderful experience, and who would have thought that so many amazing and positive things can come out of cancer.” 

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Winter 2023-24

69

SNIPPETS

3rd Annual OKI Witches Ride PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY

 On October 28, broomsticks gave way to bicycles as more than 500 witches pedaled through the streets during the 3rd Annual Oak Island Witches Ride. This whimsical event, filled with laughter and camaraderie, saw a coven of costumed cyclists trading their traditional mode of transportation for two-wheelers, embarking on a journey to visit local businesses. Beyond the enchanted atmosphere, the ride had a purpose beyond the spellbinding spectacle — it raised more than $5,000 for Oak Island Water Rescue.

Organized by Carrie Lenzen

70

SPT OKI Magazine

and Kim Nagel, the ride was kept safe by the Oak Island Police Department as the witches made pit stops at local businesses, indulging in potions, brews and musical delights. The haunts included 49th Street Grill Bar & Patio, Paul’s OKI, Duffer’s Pub & Grille, The Lazy Turtle Oceanfront Grille, Second Wind, Solar Brewing, Tranquil Harbour Restaurant & Bar, Salt64, KoKo Cabana, Oak Island Deli & Pub, Oak Island Elks Lodge 2769, VFW Post #10226 Oak Island, The Pirates Deck, The Break Restaurant and The Grape & Ale.

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LifeinBrunswickCounty.com/OKI Winter 2023-24

71

SNIPPETS

13th Annual Southport Wooden Boat Show PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM ROBERTSON

 Set against the charming backdrop of Southport’s historic Old Yacht Basin, the 13th Annual Southport Wooden Boat Show, held on November 4, was a celebration of craftsmanship, maritime tradition and the timeless allure of wooden boats. Enthusiasts and visitors alike enjoyed an afternoon of great food including a Boy Scouts hot dog fundraiser, music by the Southport Shanty Crew and Borrowed Time and 72

SPT OKI Magazine

vendors selling nautical-themed goods including art, jewelry and crafts, all the while strolling amongst meticulously crafted vessels.

Members of the Cape Fear Community College Boat Building School were also on hand to demonstrate wooden boat building techniques.

For more information visit southportwoodenboatshow.com

SNIPPETS

9/11 Ceremony PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY

 On September 11, a day that forever changed the course of history, the Southport Fire Department took the initiative to honor the heroes and remember the lives lost in a powerful memorial event. It is crucial that we never forget the resilience that our country demonstrated in the face of tragedy. The ceremony held at their headquarters served as a poignant reminder of the courage and selflessness displayed by those who risked everything to save others.

Winter 2023-24

73

SNIPPETS

Sunset On Summer Music Festival PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY

 What better way to celebrate the transition from summer to fall than with an epic music festival culminating in a stunning fireworks display in Middleton Park? The Town of Oak Island hosted a day-long event on September 9, featuring music from beach music legends The Band of Oz, Fleetwood Mac tribute band Landslide and Zac Brown Band tribute 20 Ride. Attendees were also treated to a kids area, a live DJ, food trucks, craft beverages and endless dancing. This is one event you won’t want to miss next year.

74

SPT OKI Magazine

SNIPPETS

Dutchman Dingy Dash PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY

 August 12 was a wonderful day at Dutchman Creek Park, where local groups, sponsors and attendees united for the first Dutchman Dinghy Dash.

Hosted by the Oak Island Police Department, contestants faced the challenge of covering 400 feet in DIY aquatic crafts constructed from cardboard, duct tape and paint.

Participants had unique designs as coastal locals competed, sailed and occasionally found themselves submerged in Saturday enjoyment!

Winners in the following categories were: Kids 1st—Fishing Condition Kids 2nd—Ferry of the Underworld Adults 1st—Ferry of the Underworld Adults 2nd— USS NW10 Titanic Award—Puffer Top First Responder Award—17 Alpha (OKI FD) Early Registration—Batman Best in Show—Batman Winter 2023-24

75

SNIPPETS

2023 Pledge the Pink PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA TORREY

 With 5,500 pink f lamingos in tow, Pledge the Pink f lew into Oak Island from October 19 through 22 for an event that raised money for breast-cancer support and research.

Pledge the Pink, headquartered in Hilton Head, South Carolina, was held outside its home state for the first time in its 13-year history, bringing 2,000 guests to Oak Island for a weekend of fun, food and fundraising for breast cancer.

Ninety percent of the registrants with Pledge the Pink are women who come with family and friends for the long weekend.

Of the 1,400 registered participants for the Oak Island event, 250 were breast cancer survivors.

“It’s the biggest girls’ weekend getaway you can imagine, the best darn weekend of your life,” says founder and organizer Laura Morgan. “You are here with your besties and a common goal to eradicate breast cancer from planet. And have fun while doing it!”

Over the four-day event, participants walked or ran 33.1 miles on three gorgeous courses, receiving blingy medals as each one crosses the finish line. Food and fun followed at the afterparties.

“It’s games and shenanigans,” Morgan says.

Other activities included a parade of decked-out golf carts on Saturday complete with trophies and bragging rights, Saturday night PJ Karaoke, Friday Flamingo Bingo with cash prizes, four beachfront parties, a live auction and a survivor lunch.

Preparations on the island began on Monday, October 16, when 40 volunteers, many from the Oak Island Senior Center, helped place 5,500 pink f lamingos in Middleton Park, each one representing $100 raised to date.

76

SPT OKI Magazine

Century 21 Collective

PHOTO BY BRENDA TORREY

Making Waves in Brunswick County

Business Profile

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN

Stephen Votino and Lindsey Jenkins, co-owners of Century 21 Collective in Oak Island

C

entury 21 Collective is a classic in real estate with a new office in Oak Island. In July 2022, Lindsey Jenkins and her business partner, Stephen Votino, both experienced Century 21 Realtors/brokers, co-founded Century 21 Collective. Opening the new location has gotten Jenkins closer to her goal of “growing Century 21 in Brunswick County.”

Jenkins, who first started selling real estate in 2017, believes in the Century 21 brand, so much so that when she had the opportunity to bring the brand back to Oak Island, she knew it was what she needed to do.

“Before I got into real estate, I researched brands and realized that Century 21 was the best brand for me,” she says.

When Jenkins and Votino, a Century 21 CEO from Raleigh, decided to open Century 21 Collective in Oak Island, they found the perfect location.

In 2008 the original Century 21 office that served Oak Island, one of the largest real estate firms in the area at the time, closed. Jenkins and Votino purchased the office building, and in September 2023 joined forces with Lynda Haraway, an award-winning Century 21 agent who was a top producer for the original Oak Island franchise.

“Lynda is a Century 21 icon,” Jenkins says.

Haraway also brought along a team of 12 seasoned agents, quickly growing the firm and its reach.

Today, this top-producing, full-service real estate firm works with home buyers and sellers spanning its reach

all over North Carolina, including all of Brunswick County, Wilmington, the Triad and Triangle areas. Its team of 28 brokers from diverse backgrounds covers a wide range of industry specialties from luxury real estate and vacation homes to first-time buyers and commercial real estate. They even have a team dedicated to military relocation, working with military families in Jacksonville, Goldsboro, Fayetteville and other active bases.

Additionally, Century 21 Collective is part of a large CENTURY 21 company located throughout Raleigh, Charleston, Charlotte and Fayetteville and a separate commercial division with three dedicated commercial brokers.

For Jenkins, being able to balance the benefits of working under a brand like Century 21 with maintaining her company’s own culture is one of the things she feels differentiates the firm from others in the area.

“This means we can have our own office culture here, which is very family-friendly and great for our agents,” Jenkins explains. “But at the same time, we get the benefits from the brand with great tools for our buyers and sellers.

We have the benefit of being a globally recognized brand that’s everywhere from Taiwan to Spain, while being able to maintain our own identity and culture.”

Century 21 Collective www.facebook.com/c21collective 300 Country Club Drive, Oak Island, NC

Winter 2023-24

77

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FACES & PLACES

Grit & Grace: The Women of Oak Island on Canvas On September 7, local women artists gathered at Oak Island Moose Lodge to honor 10 of their fellow remarkable artists who have inspired, led, volunteered and made a difference in our community.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM ROBERTSON

Mayor Liz White (honoree), Wendy Lemons Morris, Meredith Wray (honoree), Joyce Freitag (artist), Shannon Divendorf and Dolores Ardire-Kirwin

Gina DiSabato (artist) & Margaret Rudd (honoree)

Katie Dorsett-Dye (honoree) & Sharon Black (honoree)

Alora Boerner, Maddie Mullinax, Jayme Brown & Candice Leigh (artist)

Kat Walker, Dinah Rucker, Ardelia Secosky, LeeAnn Tobin, Mary Ellen Rogers, Jackie Idol, Beth Green & Alice Kennedy

Brenda Jackson, Melanie Sedberry Pigford, Sherry Sedberry Ross, Kirsten Carlton & Heather Sedberry

Heather Brown & Clarissa Cope (honoree)

Meredith Wray (honoree) & Kristen Adkins (artist)

Traci Bullock-Bress

Melanie Harless (volunteer), JT Mariotte (artist and event organizer), Shelley Copeland (volunteer) & Stacey Scirica (volunteer)

Winter 2023-24

79

SOUTHPORT, NC TIDE CHART

January D a t e

High Tide AM

February

Low Tide PM

AM

PM

Time (EST)

Height Time (ft) (EST)

Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)

D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

March

Low Tide PM

AM

PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)

D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

Low Tide PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

AM

PM

Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)

1

11:24

4.3

11:59

3.8

5:05

0.7

5:44

0.5

1

12:02

4.1

12:07

3.8

6:08

0.8

6:21

0.5

1

11:26

3.7

--

--

5:35

0.7

5:36

0.5

2

--

--

12:09

4.1

5:54

0.8

6:27

0.5

2

12:51

4.2

12:56

3.6

7:05

0.9

7:10

0.5

2

12:06

4.3

12:15

3.5

6:28

0.8

6:24

0.5

3

12:49

3.9

12:56

3.9

6:49

0.9

7:15

0.5

3

1:46

4.2

1:54

3.5

8:09

1.0

8:08

0.5

3

1:02

4.4

1:15

3.4

7:31

0.9

7:24

0.6

4

1:42

4.0

1:49

3.7

7:51

1.0

8:06

0.5

4

2:45

4.4

2:56

3.4

9:12

0.9

9:05

0.5

4

2:06

4.4

2:24

3.4

8:39

0.9

8:33

0.5

5

2:36

4.2

2:43

3.6

8:53

1.0

8:56

0.5

0.3

0.4

0.3

9:36

9:44

10:00

0.7

0.9

0.8

9:40

9:49

10:09

3.5

3.5

3.4

3:30

3:37

3:55

4.6

4.4

4.5

3:10

3:28

3:42

5

6

5

0.3

0.1

0.1

10:31

10:54

10:34

0.7

0.6

0.5

10:41

11:04

10:36

3.5

3.6

3.8

4:29

4:54

4:32

4.6

4.8

4.8

4:18

4:38

4:10

7

6

6

0.1

-0.1

-0.1

11:18

11:48

11:32

0.6

0.4

0.2

11:32

11:56

11:28

3.5

3.8

4.1

5:22

5:51

5:30

4.8

5.0

5.0

5:09

5:33

5:07

8

7

7

-0.1

0.4

0.1

12:18

12:22

12:46

--

--

--

--

--

--

4.5

3.7

4.1

6:24

6:14

6:43

5.1

5.0

5.2

6:01

5:59

6:25

8

9

8

9

6:51

5.3

7:14

4.9

12:27

-0.3

1:05

-0.3

10

6:46

5.2

7:01

3.8

12:07

0.0

1:10

0.2

11

7:31

5.4

7:48

4.0

12:57

-0.2

1:56

0.1

12

8:16

5.5

8:36

4.2

1:46

-0.3

2:42

-0.1

13

9:03

5.5

9:28

4.4

2:38

-0.3

3:29

-0.2

9

7:12

5.4

7:32

4.4

12:42

-0.3

1:32

-0.1

10

7:58

5.5

8:20

4.7

1:34

-0.4

2:18

-0.3

11

8:44

5.4

9:10

4.9

2:26

-0.5

3:03

-0.5

12

9:32

5.2

10:04

5.0

3:19

-0.4

3:50

10

8:37

5.3

9:01

5.2

1:21

-0.5

2:50

-0.5

11

9:23

5.2

9:50

5.3

3:12

-0.5

3:35

-0.6

12

10:10

4.9

10:41

5.4

4:05

-0.5

4:21

-0.6

-0.6

13

11:00

4.7

11:34

5.3

4:58

-0.3

5:09

-0.5

14

9:53

5.3

10:25

4.5

3:32

-0.3

4:18

-0.4

13

10:24

4.9

10:59

5.1

4:14

-0.3

4:38

-0.5

14

11:53

4.4

--

--

5:52

-0.1

5:59

-0.3

15

10:46

5.1

11:23

4.7

4:29

-0.2

5:07

-0.4

14

11:17

4.6

11:55

5.0

5:10

-0.1

5:28

-0.4

15

12:29

5.1

12:49

4.1

6:47

0.2

6:52

-0.1

16

11:40

4.8

--

--

5:26

0.0

5:57

-0.4

15

--

--

12:12

4.3

6:07

0.2

6:20

-0.2

16

1:26

4.9

1:48

3.8

7:46

0.4

7:50

0.2

17

12:21

4.8

12:36

4.5

6:27

0.2

6:51

-0.3

16

12:54

4.9

1:11

4.0

7:11

0.4

7:19

0.0

17

2:27

4.7

2:51

3.6

8:53

0.6

8:57

0.4

18

1:21

4.8

1:36

4.2

7:34

0.4

7:50

-0.2

17

1:56

4.8

2:14

3.8

8:20

0.6

8:24

0.2

18

3:30

4.5

3:55

3.6

10:00

0.7

10:03

0.5

18

2:58

4.7

3:17

3.6

9:26

0.6

9:26

0.3

19

4:30

4.4

4:54

3.6

10:59

0.7

11:02

0.5

0.3

20

5:26

4.4

5:50

3.7

11:51

0.6

11:55

0.5

21

6:18

4.4

6:41

3.9

--

--

12:38

0.5

22

7:04

4.4

7:26

4.0

12:44

0.4

1:20

0.4

23

7:45

4.4

8:05

4.2

1:29

0.4

1:56

0.4

24

8:22

4.3

8:41

4.3

2:10

0.4

2:30

0.3 0.3

19

2:22

4.9

2:37

4.0

8:43

0.5

8:50

-0.1

20

3:22

4.9

3:38

3.8

9:47

0.5

9:47

0.0

21

4:20

4.9

4:37

3.7

10:46

0.5

10:41

0.1

22

5:16

4.9

5:34

3.7

11:42

0.5

11:34

0.1

23

6:09

4.9

6:26

3.7

--

--

12:33

0.5

24

6:55

4.9

7:12

3.7

12:23

0.2

1:19

0.4

25

7:36

4.9

7:52

3.8

1:08

0.2

1:59

0.4

26

8:14

4.8

8:31

3.8

1:50

0.3

2:37

0.4

27

8:51

4.7

9:10

3.8

2:29

0.3

3:13

0.4

19

3:57

4.7

4:17

3.6

10:26

0.6

10:23

20

4:54

4.6

5:15

3.6

11:21

0.6

11:17

0.3

21

5:47

4.7

6:07

3.7

--

--

12:11

0.5

22

6:34

4.7

6:52

3.8

12:06

0.3

12:54

0.5

23

7:14

4.7

7:31

3.9

12:51

0.3

1:32

0.4

24

7:50

4.6

8:07

4.0

1:31

0.3

2:06

0.4

25

8:24

4.5

8:42

4.1

2:10

0.4

2:39

0.3

25

8:55

4.2

9:14

4.4

2:48

0.4

3:01

26

9:27

4.1

9:46

4.5

3:25

0.4

3:33

0.3

27

9:58

4.0

10:20

4.5

4:03

0.4

4:05

0.3

28

9:27

4.5

9:50

3.9

3:10

0.4

3:49

0.4

26

8:57

4.4

9:18

4.2

2:47

0.4

3:11

0.3

28

10:32

3.9

10:58

4.6

4:43

0.4

4:40

0.3

29

10:05

4.4

10:33

4.0

3:51

0.5

4:25

0.4

27

9:30

4.2

9:55

4.3

3:26

0.4

3:44

0.3

29

11:11

3.7

11:42

4.6

5:25

0.5

5:18

0.4

30

10:43

4.2

11:16

4.0

4:34

0.6

5:01

0.4

28

10:05

4.1

10:34

4.3

4:07

0.5

4:19

0.3

30

11:57

3.6

--

--

6:11

0.6

6:01

0.4

31

11:24

4.0

--

--

5:19

0.7

5:39

0.4

29

10:44

3.9

11:18

4.3

4:50

0.6

4:56

0.4

31

12:33

4.5

12:50

3.5

7:02

0.7

6:52

0.5

*TIDE CHARTS ARE ACCURATE TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. IF YOU ARE CHECKING TIDES FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES, PLEASE VERIFY THESE TIMES WITH ANOTHER SOURCE.

80

SPT OKI Magazine

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Advertiser

Phone# Page#

Advertiser

Phone#

Page#

A.B Miller Law.......................................... 910-363-1007

53

Haven of Southport..........................................................

69

Ace Hardware of Southport......................... 910-477-6444

53

Hawthorne Residential Partners.................. 919-224-9927

58

Advanced Urology...................................... 910-641-8650

11

Heritage Fresh Market................................ 910-253-1330

66

All in Bloom.............................................. 336-953-4254

9

Inspire by Liberty at Brunswick Forest......... 910-756-5713

5

Bald Head Coffee...................................... 800-484-8399

23

J & K Home Furnishings............................. 843-249-1882 14 & 15

Better Beach Rentals................................. 910-278-1147

24

Lantana’s Gallery & Fine Gifts..................... 910-457-0957

33

Bianchi Brickyard & Landscape Supply, Inc.... 910-454-4445

50

Lindsey Jenkins – Century 21..................... 910-368-9626

16, 77

Carolina Exclusives Real Estate................... 910-278-5400

50

Mermaid Cove Boutique............................. 910-250-1511

30

Cat on a Whisk.......................................... 910-454-4451

38

Midway Commons Storage.......................... 910-253-5700

38

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage.......... 910-371-1181

13

Collins Insurance Agency............................ 910-363-4677

47

CommWell Health...................................... 877-935-5225

20

Connie Kisling, Margaret Rudd

Novant Health........................................... 910-721-1000 IFC, 78 Petes Golf Carts......................................... 910-933-6194

34

Paul’s of Oak Island................................... 910-477-4161

45

Solstice Builders, LLC................................ 910-454-9822

69

& Associates Realtors................................. 203-671-6043

BC

Southern Realty Advantage......................... 910-933-6223

20

D’s Italian Restaurant................................. 910-253-8151

33

Southport Realty........................................ 910-457-7676

26

Debi Gallo, St. James Properties................. 704-491-4640

35

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber............ 910-457-6964

47

Dosher Memorial Hospital........................... 910-457-3800

7

The Beach House @ Oak Island................... 910-278-5644

3

Dunes Mercantile...................................... 945-243-6908

4

The Coin Guy............................................ 910-232-2342

71

Exhale Chiro Spa....................................... 910-297-0487

41

The Kitchen Man....................................... 910-408-1322

47

FOCUS Broadband..................................... 910-755-8149

41

Throw Baxe............................................... 910-363-4286

81

Frank Williams Commissioner...........................................

IBC

Wades Jewelers......................................... 910-457-5800

19

Winter 2023-24

81

TAG, YOU’RE IT!

Tagged Keep showing us your Southport Oak Island spirit — share your moments, stories and snapshots by tagging Q #sptoki #lifeinbrunswickcounty @southportoakislandmagazine E #sptoki #lifeinbrunswickcounty @sptoki

82

@unforgettable_1973  Oak Island, North Carolina

@josh_lowe_photo  Indian Trail Tree in Southport, NC

@mulberrymaps  Crossroads Gathering Place

@oceanicskyview  Oak Island, North Carolina

@ericalterphotography  Fort Fisher

@Oakislandrecreation  Oak Island, North Carolina

@saltwatercollection  Oak Island, North Carolina

@southern_agatheringplace  Southern, A Gathering Place Kitchen & Bar

@southport_flotilla  Southport, North Carolina

SPT OKI Magazine

Winter 2023-24

83