Tales of the Silver Coast – Area History

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.

In these pages you’ll read about Steve Bonnet, the “Gentleman Pirate,” who hid his ships in Brunswick’s moss-draped creeks but unfortunately underestimated the ebbing tide; “Mrs. Calabash,” who’s said to have lent her name to the famous sign-off for Jimmy Durante’s classic radio shows; and Topsy the Elephant, who swam for the Brunswick riverbank after breaking loose from circus handlers in the 1920s.

Follow the struggles and victories that shaped Brunswick County, from the first contact of Europeans with native Americans, to successive administrations of the Lords Proprietors, the royal governors, the British crown, and the leaders of a new nation—many at whom hailed from this small but influential corner of North Carolina. Discover Brunswick’s rich Civil War history, scenic roadways and waterways and current-day towns and townships.

Tales of the Silver Coast, recounts the tales of privateers and plantation owners, politicians and Prohibition rum-runners and the many colorful people and diverse places of southeastern North Carolina.
Hard Cover $24.95

“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

$99 Take A Break!

Thirsti Thursdays Pool Parties

Thirsti Thursdays: Starting Sunday July 4th, 2010 and thereafter on every Thursday Night from 6:30-9:30pm Read more

Free Summer Concerts

The Ocean Isle Property Owners Association is once more sponsoring its 10th Annual Concerts on the Coast.

The concerts are free every Friday which beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum of Coastal Carolina parking lot from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Event organizer Tobin Henry says that the concert series was started back in 2001 with justone band. The event will feature 14 bands and 15 concerts this year with a line up that includes The Craig Woolard Band, who will perform on two dates, and Bailout, a local band from Ocean Isle Beach.

New to the concert series this year is The Entertainers of Charlotte, Legends of Beach of Raleigh and Jim Quick & Coastline.

The concerts run from 6:30-8 p.m. every Friday from May 28-Sept.3 and draw anywhere from 500-1,500 people per show. There is a large area perfect for dancing right in front of the stage for anyone who feels like getting up and shaking their tailfeathers. Free parking is available at the Museum of Coastal Carolina.

Concertgoers can bring their own blankets or lawn chairs for seating.

Cool 105.3 radio will be on hand doing live remotes from the scene. Sunset Slush will be there again this year, and cash donations for local food pantries are appreciated.

Here is the schedule for the 10th annual Ocean Isle Beach NC Concerts on the Coast:

May 28: The Entertainers, beach/variety
June 4: Bailout, Classic Rock and more
June 11: The Imitations, beach/Motown
June 18: Legends of Beach, beach
June 25: The Attractions, ’60s/beach
July 2: Mark Roberts and Breeze, beach/variety
July 9: Craig Woolard Band, beach
July 16: Continental Divide, variety
July 23: Band of Oz, beach
July 30: GB4 Band, classic rock/blues
Aug. 6: Goldrush, variety
Aug. 13: The Holiday Band, beach/variety
Aug. 20: Jim Quick & Coastline, variety
Aug. 27: Craig Woolard Band, beach
Sept. 3: The Tams, beach/oldies

Learn To Surf!

Surf Lessons are going to be offered on the beach in front of The Winds Resort Beach Club starting May 24 Read more

Special Fitness Programs This Summer

The Winds is working with the County Parks & Rec Dept to offer three great fitness classes throughout Summer 2010. Read more

Spend An Unforgettable Day!

Come to the beach and take in some history at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Historic Site and Orton Plantation. Read more

Jake – First Pet At The Winds!

This is Jake the first pet to visit The Winds under our new Pet Policy. This picture of Jake was taken as he sat in the lobby patiently waiting to check in.

After many years with a no pet policy The Winds has designated several units as pet-friendly (please call for pet friendly accommodations options). We now welcome one pet to stay with you in your “pet friendly” unit.

Acceptable pets include cats (declawed only) and dogs weighting 30 pounds or less. Animals of other species are not permitted on property.

The Winds has always welcomed Service Animals at any time and the weight limit does not apply to them.

You can learn all about the new Pet Policy at The Winds by clicking here!

Video – Suryia The Orangutan & Roscoe The Dog

You may have seen them on Oprah or in one of the emails that are making the rounds – Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe a Blue Tick hound became friends when they happened to cross paths at Myrtle Beach Safari a preserve for endangered animals in nearby (30 minutes from The Winds) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Now they play together, swim together and Suryia even takes the dog for walks.

These two first met two years ago when Roscoe followed staff from The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.) in Myrtle Beach home. He was immediately spotted by the orangutan who ambled over to make friends.
The founder of T.I.G.E.R.S., Dr Bhagavan Antle said: ‘Roscoe looked really thin and a little lost so we fed him and took care of him;
‘He followed us through the gate and ran over and found Suryia. As soon as he saw Roscoe, Suryia ran over to him and they started playing. It was unusual because dogs are usually scared of primates but they took to each other straight away. We made a few calls to see if he belonged to anyone and when no-one came forward, Roscoe ended up staying.’
These days Suryia acts as an animal ambassador helping raise baby primates at the preserve but likes nothing better than spending quality time with his canine buddy on his day off.
‘They will spend a few hours each day together rolling around, swimming,’ said Dr Antle. ‘Suryia will take Roscoe for walks around the enclosure and even feeds him some of his monkey biscuits. When they are both feeling a little lazy they will go for a ride on the back of Bubbles, our 27-year-old African elephant.’

Myrtle Beach Safari is a great side trip when staying at The Winds and any money they take in is used to help the animals at the preserve.

This video shows how Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe the dog met and became best friends.  The story was featured on “Oprah” and will be also be on National Geographic Channel’s show “Odd Couples” this fall.
Click here for Google Map showing location of Myrtle Beach Safari

The Sugar Shack – Authentic Jamaican Restaurant

Make your “tropical escape” to The Winds Resort Beach Club complete with a trip to The Sugar Shack – an authentic Jamaican restaurant -just over the bridge on the mainland.

Sugar Shack features authentic Jamaican home cooking (yes, the chef/owner is Jamaican) in a colorful, intimate setting about a mile from the beach. Amid greenery, tropical artwork and floral table coverings, recorded reggae music adds a lively island feel, while live music is offered on weekends.

The house specialty is a huge steak, marinated, slowly grilled and richly flavored. But the flavorful jerk selections, served with a hot ‘n’ sweet sauce, are the highlight of their delightful menu that also includes Stamp & Go (a traditional spicy cod fritter), Brown Stewed Fish (slowly cooked red snapper) and a curried goat so tender it literally falls off the bone. But be sure someone in your group gets the award-winning baby back ribs.

Nothing is too spicy for the average palate, but imported hot sauce is available if you want to hurt yourself. Some appetizers are enough for a meal, and the Jamaican Sampler is a good introduction. Other offerings include a grilled mango tuna, spiced-just-right crab fritters, homemade soups, great burgers and nightly specials, such as lightly fried coconut shrimp served with mango-pepper marmalade. Then you just need to top it all off with a luscious slice of homemade Key lime pie. Guinness and Red Stripe beer are served. Take-out orders are welcome.

Sugar Shack is one block west of the intersection of Ocean Isle Beach Road, a few yards off N.C. 179. Sugar Shack is open nightly for dinner in summer and Tuesday through Saturday off-season. Live entertainment is featured on Saturday nights. Reservations are strongly suggested.

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