It is a short ferry boat ride to the island from Southport and it looks to be great fun for all ages!

See the schedule below for details or go to oldbaldy.org.
For tickets call: 910-457-7481

All Proceeds Benefit the Old Baldy Foundation Preservation Projects

For nearly 200 years, North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse, Old Baldy, has marked the mouth of the historic Cape Fear River. Today, thousands of visitors make the exciting journey each year to beautiful Bald Head Island to learn about the island’s rich maritime past at the Smith Island Museum of History and experience Old Baldy up close – including the climb to the top for a breathtaking view of the surrounding area’s outstanding natural beauty.

PIRATES ARE COMING AUGUST 6-8, 2010

Friday August 6th, 2010

Lighthouse Grounds Open

Lighthouse Gift Shop opens at 9am, Grounds open 1-4pm

Adults$5/Youth (3-12), Infants 2 and under Free. Visit the pirates camp, shop and climb the lighthouse.

Scalawag School

Pre-registration required, space limited

1:30pm – 2:45pm (4 – 7 year olds)

3pm – 4:15pm (8 – 12 year olds)

$20/child

Learn to walk talk and act like a pirate. Fee includes all day admission to the lighthouse grounds, a T-Shirt, eye patch, tatoos and certificate.

Island Wide Treasure Hunt

Pre-registration required, space limited

Friday 3pm – Saturday 3 pm

All ages

Registaration: 2;30pm Old Baldy Lighthouse

Cost $20/team

Test your skills in this pirate challenge designed for families. The challenge must be completed by a team of 4-6 members and the challenges span all ages from creating art to singing pirate songs, to following the clues to finding hidden treasure. The trick is you only have 24 hours to complete the challenge in order to maximize time and resources and get the most points to win.

Pirates Invade Bald Head Island

5:30pm

Free

West Beach Access #1 Turks Head Court and #2 Row Boat Row

Pirate Pub Night: Grub and Grog at the Harbour Pavillion Tent at Bald Head Island Marina: 6pm -10pm $40/Adult, $15/Youth 3-12, Infants 2 and under Free -Dine with pirates, dance to music of Rusty Cutlass direct from Disney World and bid on booty at the Auction – games for kids and cash bar for adults.

Saturday August 7st, 2010

National Lighthouse Day on the grounds of Old Baldy Lighthouse Grounds

10am -9pm $7/Adult, $5/Youth (3-12), Infants 2 and under Free.

Events Include:

• Children’s Activities
• Live Music
• Pirate Skits and Presentations
• Pirate Encampment
• Pirate Presentations
• Pirate Costume Contest 2:30pm
• Food Available 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 9pm
• Beer and Wine 5pm – 9pm
• Bring your lawn chairs for a movie on the lighthouse at 9pm

I’m A Pirate Artist

Pre-registration required, space limited

9:30am – 11am (8 – 14 year olds)

4pm – 5:30pm (7 – 12 year olds)

$15/child (fee includes drawing materials)

Michael Noles (aka Captain Red Ned Lynch) graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design, Sr. Art Director for Walt Disney Enterprises and artisits of this years pirate weekend poster will be the drawing instructor. Learn about his work, draw a pirateusing a live model and get tips from a real pirate artist.

Build and decorate your very own pirate boat, learn ship vocabulary and test your sailing skills. Fee includes boat kit, admission to the grounds all day Saturday.

Scalawag School

Pre-registration required, space limited

11:00am – 12:15am (4 – 7 year olds)

12:30pm – 1:45pm (4 – 7 year olds)

2pm – 3:15pm (8 – 12 year olds)

$20/child

Learn to walk talk and act like a pirate. Fee includes all day admission to the lighthouse grounds, a T-Shirt, eye patch, tatoos and certificate.

Sunday August8th 2010

Pirates and Pancakes
(Pre-registration required. Space limited)
10:30 AM at the Bald Head Island Club
$25/adult, $15/youth 4-12, $5/infant 3 and under.
Join the pirates as they have their last meal on Bald
Head Island at this lavish breakfast buffet. Menu:
waffles, biscuits and gravy, grits, fruit, has browns
and of course pancakes!
The Pirates Arggg Coming!!!

This Post Sponsored By:

Movies at the waterfront will begin June 11 and begin at various times:
8:30 p.m., June 11: “Jaws”
8:30 p.m., July 9 p.m.: “The Blind Side”

8 p.m., Aug. 11: “Marley & Me”

7:30 p.m., Sept. 10: “Mary Poppins”
7 p.m., Oct. 8: “An Affair to Remember”
6:30 p.m, Oct. 30: “Pirate Kids” and “Pirate Kids 2”
5:30 p.m., Dec. 10: “The Polar Express in 3D”

“Tuesday Tunes” will begin at 6 p.m. at the Garrison House off Davis Street.

Her’s the concert schedule:
May 25: Blind Manifest, variety
June 22: Da Howlies, Hawaiian swing
July 27: Sea Pans, steel drums
Aug. 29: Zion Hill Adult Choir & Praise Dancers, gospel

I recently took an afternoon off and revisited this incredible place – I hadn’t been there in years and forgot what I was missing.

First of all the location alone is amazing – wooden walkways wind amongst ruins of the pre-Revolutionary town which lie side by side with the remains of a Civil War era Confederate fortification originally called Fort St. Philip’s (later renamed Fort Anderson).

All of this is located along a virtually undeveloped area along the Cape Fear River offering some of the most beautiful views of the river seen through ancient live Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. A great place to spend the day and have a picnic on the grounds.

I don’t know if there is anywhere where more history is packed into such a small area!
The town of Brunswick was settled by merchants coming from Barbados by way of Goose Creek SC in 1726 by Maurice Moore (who’s descendants later built Orton Plantation next to the town).

The port became a bustling shipping area for exporting tar, pitch, and turpentine. These products, derived from the resin of the longleaf pine, were known collectively as naval stores. This “sticky gold” was essential for building and maintaining the great wooden sailing ships of the Royal Navy and the merchant fleet that sailed the oceans between Europe, its American colonies, and the islands of the Caribbean.

In 1748 the town was attacked by Spanish invaders who were eventually driven off by 80 brave men many of which were African slaves.

In 1765 (eight years before the Boston Tea Party!) the residents challenged the Crown’s authority to distribute hated tax stamps halting the collection of the tax along the Cape Fear.

Brunswick was the seat of two Royal Governors until Brunswick’s decline which resulted from several factors, including the growth of Wilmington and the relocation of the royal governor to New Bern in 1770.

Few people remained in Brunswick in the spring of 1776 when British redcoats were put ashore from the Royal Navy ship Cruizer. Some reports indicate that much of the town was burned during this raid. By the end of the Revolutionary War families and merchants had moved to other locations, and the ruins and land became part of Orton Plantation in 1842. After being was razed by British troops in 1776 Brunswick was never rebuilt.

Painting Courtesy of Miller Pope from his book: "Tales of the Silver Coast".

Then, during the Civil War, Ft. Anderson was constructed atop the old village site. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort. This serene riverside setting, colonial and Civil War history, and colorful exhibits will be long remembered by visitors.

In 1861 the Confederate States of America decided to build a large fort at the site as part of the river defense of Wilmington. The Cape Fear was an essential route for supplies moving by rail from Wilmington to Petersburg and Richmond for General Lee’s army.

The Confederate army used manual labor to construct the large sand fortification originally called Fort St. Philip’s. There were two batteries, each with five cannons overlooking the shipping channel and providing protection to blockade runners.

In February 1865, following the fall of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the river, Union forces repositioned to attack Fort Anderson. Federals attacked from the land and river. After three days of fighting, the Confederates evacuated the fort at night. Union gunboats started firing at first light, unaware Federal soldiers were breaching the walls of the fort. The infantry frantically waved sheets and blankets to stop the deadly fire from their own forces. There was a one-day fight north of the site at Town Creek before the Federals occupied Wilmington on George Washington’s birthday, February 22, 1865.

The Site Today

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, archaeologists uncovered foundations from Brunswick’s earliest days.

The most visible structure is the hulk of St. Philip’s Anglican Church with its surviving walls dating back to 1754.

Another interesting foundation is Russellborough, an old sea captain’s house that was used by royal governors Tryon and Dobbs.

The visitor center houses several displays that cover the time periods of both the old town and the fort.

In the lobby is a colorful mural created by Claude Howell and Catherine Hendricksen depicting a scene from a Spanish attack on the town in 1748.

Also the original large color painting of the Confederate soldiers shown above by Miller Pope (founder/owner of The Winds Resort Beach Club!). This painting is from his book Tales of the Silver Coast – A Secret History of NC’s Brunswick County.

All of Miller Pope’s books are available at his website http://MillerPope.com

A cannon on display was recovered from the river in 1986 and is believed to be from the Spanish ship Fortuna, which blew up in the river as the townspeople regained control of the port.

The remains of homes, businesses, and other buildings bear witness to the story of Brunswick. Along with artifacts from the Civil War and the imposing mounds of Fort Anderson, this site offers a unique look at two fascinating periods of American history.

“For there are deeds that should not pass away,
And names that must not wither.”
- plaque in St. Philip’s Church

Brunswick Town? 8884 St. Philip’s Rd. SE?, Winnabow, NC 28479? Phone: (910) 371-6613? Email: brunswick@ncdcr.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Plan to come spend a day at Orton Plantation! The gardens will soon be in their glory. The historic landscape designed around the 1735 mansion and colonial rice fields overlooking the Cape Fear River and 20 acres of secluded walking trails surrounded by hundreds of acres of rice fields make Orton Plantation Gardens a wonderful place to visit.

Generations of locals and tourists travel to the historic property with its beautiful antebellum plantation house. Azaleas, dogwoods, camellias and various annuals bring a splash of color to the riverside oaks and pines.

One of the oldest plantations on the Lower Cape Fear and the only one with a manor house still standing, Orton has become a privately owned tourist attraction, celebrated for its elaborate gardens. In recent years, the plantation and its grounds have served as locations on a number of motion pictures.

When a cousin of the Sprunt family was seriously injured in an automobile accident In the late 1930s. Family members decided to open Orton plantation as a public garden for a long weekend to raise money for his medical bills, .

Visitors so enjoyed the gardens and grounds that the family continued to keep them open to the public. These days, the gardens are open each year, March through August and September through November.

The house and grounds are located at 9149 Orton Road S.E., Brunswick County just off N.C. 133, close to the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.

Get directions click here!

Hours are 8am to 5pm March – August and 10am – 5pm September – November (except they close for Thanksgiving Day).

Confessions of a Madman

A life lived through the years of the greatest change in human history, a tale of the Camelot period among the canyons of Madison Ave. and the publishing world in New York and Boston through the eyes of an illustrator.

A story that spans eighty years beginning in the Appalachian hills of Tennessee and evolving into the fast-paced world of art and advertising on Madison Avenue. Follow along and experience life in the upper strata of New York City society during the days when the Martini lunch ruled.

“From Madison Avenue to Island Sands” is one of those rare, thoroughly entertaining autobiographies that works because, unlike many autobiographies, it isn’t about a celebrity or a politician, but about a regular guy who has lived life to the fullest and then some.

In some respects, it’s a tale of two islands: Manhattan and a little place off the coast of North Carolina called Ocean Isle.” Lynn Jessup – The Wilmington Star News

Tales of the Silver Coast

A Secret History Of Brunswick County – From the earliest days of European exploration to the golf courses and beach resorts in this fascinating and fast-growing region, Brunswick County has attracted settlers, invaders, and visitors of all descriptions.

“Miller has done an exceptional job keeping the tone light while still being informative. Each story is only two to three pages long, with illustrations liberally spread throughout, making it perfect for children. Young and old will love the story of the Barefoot Felon, where a captain uses a simple trick to save his ship from pirates.”

- Brunswick Alive! Magazine

Miller Pope’s Book Of Pirates

From Captain Kidd to Blackbeard to the pirates of the orient . . . From bloody battles to walking the plank- from blunderbusses to cutlasses, With nearly 150 original illustrations, this volume is sure to please and inform pirate fans of all ages.

• Race for Riches: a history of the origins of piracy
• Greed and Gold: a pirate’s life aboard ship and in battle
• Tools of the Trade: weapons, vessels, and pirate culture
• Rogues and Raiders: profiles of pirates through history
• Other Pirates, Other Times: the past and future of piracy
• A Roster of Infamy: a list of pirates and their vessels

“The illustrations are incredible, from the actual pirates to their ships, battles, maps, tools of the trade and treasures. For every generations’ fascination with pirates and the exotic and exciting life they supposedly led, this book will satisfy that hunger for the actual and imagined part of pirate lore.
Miller Pope is as exceptional a writer as he is an illustrator, writing with the visual in mind, always crafting his words from an illustrators’ perspective and then backing that image up with the very picture the words so masterfully created.”

- Island Living Magazine

Drawing BC-Before Computers

This hot off the press book describes and illustrates the techniques of illustration during the mid-century days before the reign of color television and computers when great short story magazines ruled.

In these pages artists may find inspiration and those who remember the simpler times of the decades following the second World War will find nostalgia for a bygone time.

Younger people who were born into the world of color television and computers may discover in these pages a glimpse into the past.

Drawing techniques of Illustration’s Golden Age. Miller Pope relates the techniques and mediums used by some of the finest illustrators before the rise of computers in the world of publishing.

“Before moving to Ocean Isle Beach, Miller Pope (”Tales of the Silver Coast,” “Miller Pope’s Book of Pirates”) was a top illustrator in New York publishing, working for advertising agencies in the “Mad Men” era and creating artwork for The Saturday Evening Post, Reader’s Digest and other publications, as well as a number of textbooks.

He recalls those days in “Drawing B.C.” as in Before Computers (Island Press, $16.95 paperback). Pope demonstrates techniques that he and other commercial artists used in predigital days to get eye catching effects that conveyed the message. (Helpful hint: “Less is More.”).

Younger artists can learn a trick or two; the rest of us will be transported into a color-filled retro-world.”

- Ben Steelman The Wilmington Star News, Wilmington, NC

Buy them at MillerPope.com

Books by local Author, Illustrator – Miller Pope! Buy them at MillerPope.com

Each year, between 9,000 and 15,000 breeding pairs of white ibises, nearly all that nest in the state, as well as hundreds of breeding pairs of herons and egrets, descend on the Sanctuary to nest and raise their young. The island has always been vital to North Carolina’s wading bird population and, recently, was designated as “globally important” for the great numbers of white ibises that nest on the island every year. (Approximately 12% of the global white ibis population nests at Battery Island.)

In 1996 the Cape Fear Garden Club of Wilmington, NC stepped forward to officially adopt the sanctuary and assist with the protection and management of the island. Since that time, the Cape Fear Garden Club has donated more than $20,000 in support of this Audubon Sanctuary.

Battery Island is posted and patrolled throughout the year, and is off-limits to visitors. Protecting the island, the nesting birds and their habitats is essential to conserving wading birds in North Carolina. The Cape Fear Garden Club offers a guided boat tour of the sanctuary every spring, check their website for more details.

With these six medals added to those won over the past six years the total awarded the winery comes to the 219 awards! Silver Coast Winery received bronze medals for its 2006 American Oak Chardonnay, 2005 Seyval Blanc and 2002 Merlot and silver medals for its Premium Oak Chardonnay, 2005 Reserve Merlot and 2004 Treasure.

Silver Coast Winery Winter hours (January & February) for tours and tastings are offered from noon to 5pm Wed – Sunday. For more info visit the winery’s site at: silvercoastwinery.com or call 910.287.2800

For more about the site read our archived story here!

Well you get the message – see their new menu to see all the ways they do shrimps! Then there’s them oysters -don’t get me started! Better just go on by and try ‘em with a cold beer or other beverage.

At Sharky’s you can enjoy great food overlooking a fabulous view of the waterway. You can tie up your boat at Sharky’s dock. Thoroughly casual, Sharky’s is fun for the whole family.

Located by the bridge at nearby Ocean Isle Beach, Sharky’s is a great destination to go by boat (or by car).

The new menu at Sharky’s offers a wide selection from Lite Bites (Panko Crusted Shrimp, Calypso Ribs, Oyster & Corn Chowder, etc.), hand tossed pizza, a nice selection of hot and cold subs, soups and salads as well as daily specials such as Grouper, Mahi Mahi and more.

Come check out the new improved Sharky’s