The greater Topsail area has a new watering hole. Hidden Ships Distillery, the first distillery to open in Pender County, is the creation of Amy and Andy Szwejbka. Their story sets sail when Andy retired from the Marines after a 20-year career. They loaded their four children and a dog into an RV and navigated the nation for one year. As the Szwejbka family visited unique breweries and distilleries, the idea of...
The Town of Burgaw is pleased to announce the first-ever Autumn Fest to be hosted in downtown Burgaw on October 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is currently being sponsored by Burgaw Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Pender County Parks and Recreation, and the Burgaw Tourism Development Authority. Autumn Fest will feature numerous activities including craft vendors, kids’ activities and candy, pumpkin...
“Shellebrate” North Carolina Oyster Month all October long with a wide range of activities spanning our state. Connect with local oyster growers and harvesters, enjoy seafood restaurants, markets, and festivals, and support coastal conservation and education organizations as we kick off the start of the wild-caught oyster season. As a keystone species, oysters are crucial to North Carolina’s marine...
Attention Outlander Fans Join us on the Outlander Hike at Moores Creek National Battlefield! Fans of the Outlander series, based on novels by Diana Gabaldon, will want to walk the history of the popular television series. Gabaldon wrote about the American Revolution and Colonial North Carolina, noting the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. Wear your tartan and join Jason Howell on Oct. 14, at 11 a.m. for this fall Year...
Come learn about Pender's Haunted History on the grounds of the Historic Burgaw Cemetery. Hear tales of mysterious lights, river haunts, Pirate legends, ghost sightings, Revolutionary War soldiers, and more. Tours will start at 5:30 pm. Tours are expected to last roughly an hour. The last tour will start at 9:00 p.m. Please dress according to the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Tickets are $15 for Adults, and...
Sea Turtle Hospital News It’s been a busy year at our hospital, and an especially busy summer. To date, in 2023 we’ve cared for 147 turtles and have already released 110. It’s our second-highest year ever in number of turtles cared for. And since the waters around here are exceptionally warm any turtles still hanging around near shore are not in a hurry to leave. The eating is still good, and the water...
In September 1977 then Secretary of the NC Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Howard Lee proposed “establishing a state trail between the mountains and the seashore in North Carolina.” The Mountains to Sea Trail was born. Stretching 1,175 miles from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smokey Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks, the Mountains to Sea Trail traverses...
Tidal Wave Auto Spa Partners with Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for 15th Annual Charity Day Tidal Wave Auto Spa in Hampstead to donate proceeds to \ Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for September 15th Event Hampstead, NC, August 25, 2023 -- Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the fastest-growing express car wash companies in the country, is pleased to announce its fifteenth...
Lenovo partnered with the Mountains-To-Sea Trail and Elizabeth City State University through its Work for Humankind initiative to place a tech-enabled interactive trailhead marker in the Burgaw Train Depot to help preserve Pender County’s diverse history. “Lenovo selected three sites with a rich history in diversity,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County Tourism director. Documented history, such...
Pender County spending increases by 14.7 percent to $189.66 million PENDER COUNTY – Domestic and international visitors to and within Pender County spent $189.66 million in 2022, an increase of 14.7 percent from 2021. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “The tourism industry in Pender County continues...
Question: Why did the hatchlings cross the road? Answer: a) They heard there was a great band playing at the Trailer Bar. b) They wanted a hot dog from Friendly Mart. c) They saw the playground and wanted to try out the slide. d) They followed the light. Easy question, especially if you’re a fan of sea turtles and our hospital. The answer is: d) They followed...
Art and music lovers will gather in Topsail Beach, North Carolina at the Autumn with Topsail (AWT) Festival. The festival takes place, rain or shine, Oct.20 from 5 – 8:30 p.m., Oct. 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Oct. 22 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Historic Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd. Proceeds from the festival support the Historical Society of Topsail Island, a volunteer non-profit...
Explore Penderlea with Eleanor Roosevelt PENDERLEA- Join Eleanor Roosevelt and Pender County Tourism for the Year of the Trail hike on Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This family-friendly one-mile hike will explore the New Deal farm community of Penderlea. It will be led by the most famous visitor to Penderlea, Eleanor Roosevelt, who visited on behalf of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. “This...
Although our turtle mamas are still technically “on the clock” with the official nesting season continuing through August it’s their babies that are moving into the spotlight. With over a hundred nests on Topsail and the pitter-patter of tiny flippers, it’s time for a quick review of some of the FAQs for our island visitors. When will a nest hatch? By far it’s the question we’re...
CURRIE, N.C.- Two major park monuments, the Bridge Monument and the Grady Monument, were recently stabilized and restored with funding provided by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). August 4, 2023, is the third anniversary of the historic legislation that is funding infrastructure improvements in national parks throughout the country. “The impacts of storms, specifically flooding events, has had severe impacts...
TOPSAIL BEACH- Join Chris Lener of Funky Fins and Pender County Tourism for the Year of the Trail hike on Aug. 9, 9 a.m. This family-friendly one-mile hike will explore the critters of the surf and how to care for our environment. “This hike will start and end at the Beach Access Number 9 in Topsail Beach,” said Pender County Tourism Director Tammy Proctor. “The hike will be led by Chris Lener, an...
CURRIE – Moores Creek Battleground Association in collaboration with regional partners unveiled the brands that will be used to market the year-long celebration of America’s independence in 2026. “America’s 250th anniversary will kick off nationally at Moores Creek National Battlefield,” said Jim Buell, President of the Moores Creek Battleground Association. “Under one marketing...
It seems we’re celebrating a lot of anniversaries recently. It started last year with the 100th anniversary of Canetuck Rosenwald School, now known as the Canetuck Community Center. That’s an amazing milestone. One hundred years of education, community involvement, and preservation. It’s a place where legacy is celebrated. The Canetuck School was built by Black families for their children’s...
Ali Guner, the owner of Baba’s Mediterranean Grill, celebrated the restaurant’s first anniversary in Surf City. But Guner brings years of restaurant experience. “In New York, we offered fine dining,” he said, noting his more than 20 years in the restaurant industry. The menu at Baba’s Mediterranean Grill is extensive and delicious. “Everything is made homemade,” said...
If you’re a regular reader of our hospital news you’ll remember that nesting mom “Madame X” gave us her thoughts on the struggles of surviving in today’s environment. That was a true survivor’s story. But what’s going on down below in those nests, where it all starts? Our Topsail Turtle Project volunteers are out before sunrise every morning looking for turtle tracks. Once...
The old saying is “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” In Pender County, we have several thrift stores that specialize in treasure. Our best thrift stores in Pender County benefit worthy causes and their proceeds go back into the community. Safe Haven of Pender County, located at 16406 US Hwy 17 in Hampstead, offers a wide variety of items, including furniture. All proceeds go to assist...
Take the Turtle Tracks hike with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center SURF CITY- Join Pender County Tourism and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for the Year of the Trail hike on July 11, 8 a.m. This family-friendly one-mile hike will explore the beach for turtle tracks. Learn about turtle nests and the care of our beaches. “This hike will start and...
Sea Turtle Hospital News We’ve often mentioned how our patients quickly train us to prepare and serve only the food that they like. Don’t like capelin? How about some nice mackerel. Love squid but freaked out by the tentacles? We’ll cut them off for you. But how do you explain that Kemp’s “Kaia” will only eat shrimp from Sneads Ferry? How does she know where that other shrimp we’ve...
CELEBRATE JULY 4th AT THE HANNAH BLOCK HISTORIC USO BUILDING Special Guest Wilbur D. Jones Jr. WILMINGTON, NC–Celebrate July 4th with Thalian Association Community Theatre at the Hannah Block Historic USO/ Community Arts Center open house! The public is invited to join us between 12:00 – 5:00 pm when staff will be in 1940’s era costumes, serving free coffee, and doughnuts courtesy of Krispy Kreme...
The 1865 Society of Pender County, Inc. is announced its first Annual Juneteenth Celebration to be held on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on the grounds of the historic Pender County Courthouse in Burgaw. “The purpose of this Celebration is to educate, celebrate and engage present and future generations keeping alive the relevant culture and rich history and heritage of African Americans," said...
