Sea Turtle Hospital News We all know who the Queen of the hospital is (Jean) but there’s another lady who is definitely the royalty in Sea Turtle Bay: “Snookie.” Snookie is a three-hundred-plus-pound loggerhead who was transferred to us from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ on October 30, 2016. She had stranded multiple times near Avalon, and when it became apparent that she...

Pender Pawzapalooza: a doggone good time for pet owners BURGAW – It’s a Fido and Family walk in the park as Burgaw’s Rotary Park hosts Pender Pawzapalooza April 14, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. “We are proud of our animal shelter and we are pleased to sponsor Pender Pawzapalooza,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County tourism director. The event will feature a pet fun walk utilizing parts of the Osgood...

Pirates return to Topsail Island for Scallywags Weekend, May 4-6 TOPSAIL ISLAND – Pirates will invade Topsail Island and set up camp in Surf City’s Soundside Park for Scallywags Weekend, May 4-6. They will celebrate the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard and the adventures of Stede Bonnet, two pirates who lurked the waters along Topsail Island’s coast. “Mateys of all ages will be entertained...

FARM TO ISLAND MARKET OPENS IN SURF CITY, NC Owners of Sugar Island Bakery & Supplies Open North Carolina Local and Organic Market on Topsail Island Surf City, NC (February 12, 2018): Farm to Island Market, a family-owned grocery focused on feeding the community with fresh, local products hand-selected from North Carolina farms, has opened its doors at 330 New River Drive in Surf City. The market was formerly...

The holiday season just isn't the same without Christmas music. The NC Blueberry Festival is sponsoring a new holiday tradition, The Annual Community Christmas Celebration. The event will feature Snyder Memorial Baptist Church which will present "Sing We Now of Christmas." Local church choir members will gather together to form a community choir as well. For more information contact the NC Blueberry Festival...

The Kemp’s – why is it always the Kemp’s that are the cold-stun equivalent of the first snow of the season? When winter rolls around it’s not a question of if we’ll admit a slew of cold-stunned turtles but a matter of when. That “when” was just before the last day of November when sixteen Kemp’s Ridleys, the most highly endangered species of sea turtles arrived in their...

By Tammy Proctor ST. HELENA - Saints Peter and Paul’s Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church celebrated the announcement that the church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ann Mizerak, David Mizerak, and Mary Bakan are the last three members of the church, even though they are often joined in services with visitors. They have been instrumental in pursuing the National Register distinction...

Jennifer Pharr Davis, a nationally recognized author and speed hiker, hitched a ride down the Northeast Cape Fear River, thanks to Pender County EMS and Fire. Davis is hiking the Mountains to Sea Trail. She arrived in Pender County Oct. 25 and hiked through Moores Creek National Battlefield. On Oct. 26, Davis was ferried down the Northeast Cape Fear River. “This was the highlight of my...

On Oct. 13 - 14 the Historic Burgaw Train Depot and the Pender County Courthouse Square will be haunted by the ghosts of Pender’s past. There will be two shows each night, 6 and 8 p.m. The two night event, rain or shine, will be a howling good time for the entire family. “Pender County is home to many ghost stories,” said Tammy Proctor, director of tourism. “We have ghost tales from the...

What's new in Pender County Tourism? Click here for the latest update. This week we discuss the Ghost Walk: Ghost from Pender's Past and the success of MST in a Day.

For the latest news in Pender County Tourism, click here. This week we wrapped up the NC Blueberry Festival, promoted the Mountains to Sea Trail, Surf City Fireworks and more.

Fido is every bit a member of the family as Junior or Grandma. So why leave Fido in a kennel while the family romps on the beach? “Dogs are family members,” said Lisa Sparrow, owner of Starfish Realty Inc. in Surf City. “We find that Fido is so important families do not wish to leave their dog behind.” While many beaches along the Carolina coast prohibit pets on the beach, Surf City and Topsail...

SURF CITY – Realtor Lara Beaudoin, the owner of Carolina Décor and More, has taken to the water. She and her partner, James Ross, started Tiki Tours which offers groups of six or less a private cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway to Lea Island, where the tours often enjoy shelling. “It’s very popular,” said Beaudoin, a native of Connecticut. “We’re booking every day on...

May is for mothers – even sea turtle mothers. May 1 was the official start of nesting season here on Topsail Island, and our Topsail Turtle Project volunteers (aka beach walkers) hit all 26 miles of beach in search of the first nest. Here’s a few of the FAQ’s we get at the hospital and from visitors we meet on the beach. When do sea turtles nest here? May 1 through the end of August is Topsail’s...

For 11 months, Pender County worked with PGA officials from Charlotte to make the Wells Fargo Championship a success at Eagle Point Golf Club. We lead a PGA official to a map, pointed to Eagle Point and the Pender County line. They were amazed at the close proximity – and the race was on to locate available parking areas and a myriad of minute details. The PGA staff designated two locations in Pender County...

Beaches and Blueberries: The perfect surf and turf weekend BURGAW- There aren’t too many locations in the nation where beautiful beaches and bountiful blueberries are in abundance. On June 16-17, visitors to Pender County can experience plenty of both. “The NC Blueberry Festival features live music, BBQ, a 5K Run/Walk, a Shag contest, craft and food vendors, activities for children, and of course,...