Community briefs

Soil and Water board to meet March 12
The Brunswick Soil & Water Conservation district board will have its regularly scheduled meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Brunswick County Association of Realtors, 101 Stone Chimney Road in Supply.

Chowder cook-off to raise funds for Fourth
The N.C. Fourth of July Festival third annual chowder cook-off fundraiser will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Oak Island Moose Lodge.
In addition to tasting 10 chowders, there will be a wine tasting by Silver Coast Winery, a baked goods sale, entertainment by Lynda Snyder, a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and a cash bar.
Advanced tickets are $8 and are available at the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, 4433 Long Beach Road. Tickets at the door will be $10. A limited number of tickets will be sold.
Chowder cook-off winners will be decided by ballots of those attending and tasting the chowder. Awards will be given for first, second and third place in both the professional and individual division. There will also be an overall best decorated space award.
The N.C. Fourth of July Festival is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote patriotism and celebrate our nation’s independence. For more information, call (910) 457-5578.

Intercultural Festival set for Sept. 7
The 10th annual Brunswick County Intercultural Festival (BCIF), celebrating Brunswick County’s cultural diversity, will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, in front of the Odell Williamson Auditorium on the campus of Brunswick Community College, located just off U.S. 17 in Supply.
This free event is sponsored by Brunswick Community College, Brunswick Arts Council, Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, The State Pilot, North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, The Brunswick Beacon and the North Carolina Arts Council.
The BCIF is committed to celebrating cultural diversity in all its aspects, while honoring the cultural history of Brunswick County itself. This fun, cross-cultural education event brings and presents a vast culturally enriching and entertaining experience for people of all ages.
Its slogan is “Bringing the World to Brunswick County.” Its mission is to create, coordinate a comprehensive global learning environment that provides a place for cultural education, artistic enhancement and shares the music, dance and foods of diverse cultures of the community. This, in turn, fosters a better understanding, tolerance, awareness, respect and appreciation of each other’s culture in Brunswick County.
Festival-goers will have the opportunity to learn more about the different cultures that live side by side within this county. The festival is packed with numerous performing artists, children’s activities, cultural displays and ethnic food sampling.
The International pavilion
In addition to displaying Brunswick County’s heritage, the International Pavilion has new, exciting countries, displaying information from the African continent, South America, Asia and Europe. Learn about the Argentine Tango, the Czech Republic and its One Hundred Towers City, Mexico and Central America with its Aztec and Mayan heritage, Russian crafts and stories, the Philippine culture, books and costumes from Thailand, the Caribbean and more.
More than 20 countries and cultures will be represented. There will be a new feature for kids of all ages to participate and “travel” around the world. School children’s art posters will be displayed. The popular children’s workshops conducted by Home Depot will again be a popular activity for the children.
For an $8 fee, continue the international journey, walking to the International Food Tasting Tent and sampling international cuisine from some of the county’s finest ethnic restaurants representing a number of cultures, such as European, African, Asian, Mexican and American. Food has always been a great way to build bridges to other cultures and to share each other’s hearts, the intent of this event.
Entertainment stage
The Intercultural Festival Entertainment Stage is a diversity celebration that features performing arts and complements the Intercultural Festival’s arts and crafts, educational exhibits, ethnic foods and children’s activities. Savor international cuisine while being taken through an exciting imaginary journey to different cultures. The stage will again feature a lineup of high-energy musicians, dancers and performers, dressed in authentic traditional costumes. The entertainment, which includes traditional and contemporary performances, will showcase some of the best ethnic performers of the region and is designed to foster an atmosphere that introduces families and children to the rich cultural diversity of this county.
In 2012, the festival welcomed the Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano. Dressed in authentic Mexican costumes, their first performance was an Aztec ritual depicting the Aztec culture to what Mexico was before the arrival of the Spaniards and conquerors. They also danced to the music of the Mexican state of Sinaloa.
The Entertainment Stage will also feature performances by the powerful Walsh Kelly School of Irish Dance step dancers, a Polish polka singer and trumpet player, Japanese drumming and dance, a Chinese sword dance, Mongolian and Tibetan performances, a Philippines performance from Pilipinas and Kaliwali Arnis, a West African ensemble, youth groups and more.
Home Depot will conduct a children’s project and hands-on activities under supervision and direction of Home Depot associates and its store manager. Upon completion of the project, each child will receive a certificate and other gifts.
An invitation is extended to all Brunswick schools to participate, learn, expand cultural knowledge, travel and experience the world in your own backyard. Volunteers and sponsors are greatly needed and appreciated. Local vendors are encouraged to send their applications early. Surrounding area vendors are also welcome.
Visit the BCIF website for application forms. Find them on Facebook; Google at Brunswick County Intercultural Festival; email interculturalfestival@hotmail.com or call (910) 842-6566.

AARP offers free tax assistance
AARP Tax-Aide is a free nationwide service that provides high quality income tax assistance and free federal and state tax preparation, including electronic filing. All AARP tax counselors are trained and certified by the IRS. The service is focused on low and moderate-income taxpayers. You do not have to be an AARP member or retired to take advantage of this free service.
Visit any Tax-Aide location in your area. Be sure to bring last year’s tax return and all 2012 tax documents.
Service is available at seven locations in Brunswick County, including:
Rourk Library in Shallotte on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hickman’s Crossroad Library in Calabash on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30-1 p.m.
Senior Center on Oak Island on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Brunswick Senior Center in Southport on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Boiling Spring Lakes Community Center on Wednesday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call (910) 845-3693 for an appointment.
Leland Senior Center on Tuesday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Leland Library on Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
In Columbus County, service is available at the Carolyn High Library in Whiteville on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Service is available at all locations through April 15 and is completely free, including electronic filing. For additional information, call Mike Ferris at (910) 575-7654.
For additional AARP Tax-Aide sites in North and South Carolina, call toll-free (888) 227-7669. A website is available for year round assistance at www.aarp.org/taxaide and can be used to locate Tax-Aides sites by ZIP code.

Leland Library friends plan book sale
Friends of the Leland Library will have its monthly Second Saturday book sale from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at the Magnolia House, 485 Village Road, adjacent to the Leland Library.
All non-fiction books are on sale: two for $1 (hardbacks) and four for $1 (paperbacks). This includes all biographies, history, political, finance, medical, gardening, cookbooks, and many more. Also, a collection of specialty magazines for needlecrafts and decorative painting will be offered at special pricing. Check out book sets in all of the rooms (both fiction and non-fiction) at give-away prices.
Regular priced books are 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardcover. All book sale proceeds will benefit the Leland Library.
For information on this or future book sales, call Ellie Edwards at (910) 383-3098 or Arlene White at (910) 617-2538.

Museum to have fundraiser
Volunteers at the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium will be selling fully cooked Boston butts on Family Day on March 30.
Pre-order them now and pick up at the museum on Family Day between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Proceeds from the sale will be used to benefit the museum and planetarium.
If not familiar with the term, a Boston butt is half a pork shoulder that is roasted on a grill. Once cooked, it can be chopped up for barbeque or it can be sliced or pulled. It is delicious any way you serve it. Best of all, it will be cooked and ready to eat when you pick it up on Family Day.
Where does the name “Boston butt” come from? In colonial America, the best cuts of meat went to the wealthiest people. The lesser cuts were packed for storage and shipment in casks or barrels that were also known as “butts.”
The way hog shoulders were cut up by Boston-area butchers became known in other regions as “Boston butts.” Those “lesser cuts” are now considered the most delicious cuts for grilling or barbecuing.
Each Boston butt weighs about 10 pounds and costs $25. Place orders now by calling the museum at 579-1016 or the planetarium at 575-0033 or email order to oiblisa@aol.com or judy@museumplanetarium.org.

Sea Notes to sing into spring with concert
The Sea Notes Choral Society will present its annual spring concert, “We Got Rhythm,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at Odell Williamson Auditorium, on the campus of Brunswick Community College.
Director is Larry Reinhart and accompanist is Jane Boberg. Featured songs are by Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael and Ira and George Gershwin, along with moving spirituals.
The concert is free and open to the public, but donations are welcomed, as Sea Notes is a nonprofit organization.

Afternoon tea at Greenlands Farm
Bring your favorite teacup and friends to enjoy an afternoon of organic teas, organic tea pastries and tea sandwiches at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7, Greenlands Farm Store, 668 Midway Road in Bolivia. There will also be a discussion on the art of making the perfect cup of tea and about Greenlands Farm’s animal rescues.
Cost is $15.50 per person. All proceeds will help the farm’s rescued animals. Call 253-7934 to register; space is limited.

TV production workshop set for kids and teens
Attention students: How would you like to learn the basics of film and TV production? David Pickett, founder of Kids and Teens Development Workshops, is looking for several students, ages 10-18, with a sincere interest in learning how to create and produce a TV program. No filming experience and equipment is required to attend the workshop.
The first workshop will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 14. During this fun-interactive workshop, students will have the chance to learn about studio lighting, camera operating, the role of a film editor and sound.
Pickett is the creator and producer of the TV talent show “un-DISCOVERED”. The show airs on ATMC TV from 8:30-9 p.m. each night except Tuesday and Friday. For more information or to register for the TV production workshop, call (910) 880-2759 or email DpTalentShow@yahoo.com.

Brunswick County Republican Women’s Club to meet
In recognition of Women’s History Month, former Rep. Carolyn Justice of the N.C. House of Representatives and current president of the Lower Cape Fear Republican Women’s Club will be the guest speaker at the Brunswick County Republican Women’s Club at noon Saturday, March 9, at Golden Corral restaurant in Shallotte.
She will talk about being a Republican woman. Bring a guest for lunch and find out more about this organization.
Also, bring a nonperishable food item to support local food banks.
For more information, contact Kathy Lawler or email bcrwpresident@gmail.com.

Altman to direct sales at Little River Chamber
Cathy Altman has joined the Little River Chamber of Commerce as its new director of sales and events.
“Chamber work has been a passion of mine for 30 years,” Altman said. “I started as a volunteer for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in the early ’80s, serving as an ambassador. I learned the work that a chamber does for its members and community is essential and vital to growing a strong, vibrant business community.”
During her extensive chamber career, she has had the opportunity to learn event management and fundraising, which provides necessary promotional exposure for the chamber and the community.
“I look forward to working with the Little River business community and sharing in their success.”

Carolina Marketing buys area franchise
Carolina Marketing Company LLC, is growing again. The publisher of multiple-print products in Brunswick County, including the Brunswick County franchise of Discovery Map International, purchased the Wilmington franchise of Discovery Map International on Feb. 20.
Carolina Marketing Company, which also publishes North Brunswick Magazine and South Brunswick Magazine, purchased the Brunswick County franchise of Discovery Maps International in January 2012 and produced two Brunswick-area maps in its first season. Based on the success of the Brunswick-area maps, Carolina Marketing Company jumped at the chance to purchase the Wilmington map franchise.
Discovery Map International, formerly Resort Maps, is based in Waitsfield, Vt., and has been a tourist map brand for more than 30 years.
The maps are available in more than 100 destinations through the United States, as well as Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and Central America.
The maps are known for their full-color, hand-drawn layouts and well-organized service menus.
The company’s local franchise operators distribute more than 25 million travel maps a year in popular tourist destinations.
Justin Williams, owner of Carolina Marketing Company, purchased the Wilmington franchise from Peter Kurki and will expand on the high level of service Kurki offered his clients in the Wilmington area.
“We’re excited to bring to the Wilmington area the same level of service and quality that we have been providing to our readers and advertisers in the Brunswick area for years,” Williams said.
He believes the quality of Discovery Map International is a great parallel to the high-quality magazines that Carolina Marketing Company has been publishing for the last seven years.
Advertising sales for both the Brunswick County and Wilmington area maps have begun. The maps will be published and distributed in May and June for the 2013 summer season.

Author David Reavis to speak at gallery
Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash will feature author David Reavis at the next Coffee with the Authors presentation from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, March 7. Coffee, tea and breakfast treats will be served.
Formerly a treasury professional, Reavis retired from North Carolina state government in 2011 after 36 years of service, at which time Gov. Perdue bestowed upon him the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.
After retiring, Reavis decided to write a historical novel about his family during the Civil War, as he had been doing genealogy research for more than 35 years. He grew up in the home built by Samuel Reavis in 1789 in Vance County, which is the basis of his book. In writing his first historical novel, the author says he was inspired by the resilience of the human spirit demonstrated by his ancestors who endured and survived one of the most horrific periods of America’s history. While the book focuses on his ancestors, the experiences and emotions are universal to any family whose relatives have gone off to fight.
Sunset River Marketplace is a 10,000-square-foot gallery showcasing artists from both North and South Carolina. Almost 200 artists are represented in a broad range of style and genre. Visitors to the gallery are invited to enjoy gourmet coffee, tea and treats while viewing the many works on display.
Included in the space are a full-service custom-framing department, a pottery studio, art classrooms for ongoing classes and national workshops, and a regional book section.
Coffee with the Authors events are free to the public; however, seating is limited, so reservations are required. Call 575.5999 to reserve seats.
Visit Sunset River Marketplace at 10283 Beach Drive SW in Calabash. Winter hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Starting in April, the gallery will reopen on Mondays.
For additional information, visit its website at www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com. Daily updates and special promotions are posted on the gallery’s Facebook page.

New books at Rourk Branch Library
The following books are now available at Rourk Branch Library in Shallotte. Reviews are courtesy of Friends of the Library.
Fiction
“The Sound of Broken Glass” by Deborah Crombie. A compelling richly textured story that is complex, yet believable.
“Red Velvet Cupcake Murder” by Joanne Fluke. A Hannah Swenson mystery with recipes.
“Benediction” by Kent Haruf. A story of life and death and the ties that bind, set in the High Plains in Holt, Ca.
“Ghost Man” by Roger Hobbs. An amazing debut full of intrigue and suspense.
“Calculated in Death” by J.D. Robb. On Manhattan’s Upper East side, a woman lies dead at the bottom of a brownstone’s basement steps, stripped of all her valuables. Most cops might call it a mugging gone wrong, but Lt. Eve Dallas knows better.
Dave Nelson honored for real estate sales
Real estate broker Dave Nelson with Century 21 Sunset Realty has been named as the number one ranked real estate broker in Sunset Beach for sales on the mainland and island. According to a ranking report from the Brunswick County MLS, his sales were $6,595,000 for 2012.
Nelson has more than 23 years experience in real estate in the Sunset Beach area and also owns Dave Nelson Construction and the Sunset Inn. He can be reached at (910) 443-0868 or visit his website at www.sunsetbeachsales.com.
Shop Small at Coastal Consumer Showcase on March 7
The third annual Coastal Consumer Showcase, “Highlighting the Best in Local Products & Services,” will take place from 4-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the St. James Community Center. Admission is free.
This exciting event gives residents of the Southport-Oak Island area and Brunswick County a chance to become acquainted with a sample of the variety of products and services that area business community offer.
There will be free food and wine samples and a Chinese raffle. There will be more than $2,000 worth of prizes given away. One ticket to the Chinese raffle will be given to all those who attend and register, with additional tickets for sale.

Poetry group to meet
Poetry Revisited, a monthly group for those who write, read, and listen to poetry, will meet from 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10, in the activity room at Arbor Landing in Ocean Isle Beach (N.C. 179 between Ocean Isle Beach and Shallotte).
The group meets the second Sunday afternoon of each month. Typically, each session will have several scheduled readers plus an opportunity for others to read their work as time permits. This group is open to anyone who appreciates writing or listening to original poetry.
For more information, contact Katherine Moore at 754-3587 or email katmoore@att.net.

Newcomers to meet March 14
The Southwest Brunswick Newcomers Club (SWBNC) will meet from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, March 14, in the fellowship hall of Shallotte Presbyterian Church, 5070 MH Rourk Drive in Shallotte. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for new members to join and sign up for scheduled recurring activities and special planned events.
Guest speaker will be local author Jacqueline DeGroot, who will share stories of her many books, as well as one of her latest, “Sunset Beach: A History.”
Brunswick singles and couples are welcome to attend. Call 575-3743 or visit its website at www.swbnc.org to learn more about the clubs many activities and special events. An application to join the SWBNC can be found on the website. Cost to join is $10 per person. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month through May.

St. James hosts scholarship competition
The St. James Service Club is having a scholarship competition to provide six college scholarships to area high school students. The $1,000 and $2,000 scholarships are funded by proceeds from the club’s annual spring flea market, which will take place this year from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. April 20 at Brunswick Community College.
The scholarships are available to any Brunswick County high school student with a minimum 3.0 grade point average; a demonstration of some degree of financial need to further education; acceptance to an institution of higher learning (universities and colleges, community colleges, trade and technical schools, culinary and art institutes, etc.); a demonstration of involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteer activities, or employment; two letters of recommendations; and a typed essay.
Applications are available through school guidance counselors and are due back to the guidance counselor by Friday, March 22.
Blair completes

Marine Corps training
Marine Corps Pfc. Adam T. Blair, a 2012 graduate of South Brunswick High School in Southport, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, S.C.
For 13 weeks, Blair stayed committed during some of the world’s most demanding entry-level military training in order to be transformed from civilian to Marine instilled with pride, discipline and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Training subjects included close-order drill, marksmanship with an M-16A4 rifle, physical fitness, martial arts, swimming, military history, customs and courtesies.
One week prior to graduation, Blair endured The Crucible, a 54-hour final test of recruits’ minds and bodies. Upon completion, recruits are presented the Marine Corps emblem and called Marines for the first time.

Brown wins Army cadet award
Army Cadet Erickson D. Brown received the George C. Marshall Award during an awards ceremony at the Marshall Center, Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. The award is named in the honor and legacy of General of the Army George C. Marshall, who served in World War II as the Army Chief of Staff and in the post-war era served as secretary of state and secretary of defense.
Brown is the son of Adria E. Wilkins of Mesquite, Texas, and Ericson C. Brown of Denver, Colo., and grandson of Patricia L. Wilkins of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Terrence L. Hayes of Leland.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding senior Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) cadets in military science studies and leadership values in each battalion at host universities or colleges. Top cadets from each cadet battalion represent the very best of a highly selective organization. This is a national award and the highest award an ROTC cadet can receive.
The cadets participate in focus groups and round table discussions and lectures on the theme of the national security of the U.S. and the Army’s security role in the international arena. Cadets receive formal speeches from the highest echelons of the U.S. Army’s leadership ranks, scholars and experts in the area of national defense.
Brown is currently a student at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La. He is a 2009 graduate of Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas.