Southport Magazine

What: Oak Island Wine Tasting and Silent Auction, benefit for the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society
When: Saturday, April 13th
12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Island Way Restaurant
1407 E. Beach Dr., Oak Island
Cost: $25/person, very limited tickets!
Info: (910) 933-4325
www.oakislandnc.com/beach

“The fortunes and quality of life in coastal Carolina depend on protection of our greatest natural asset: the beach,” Rosanne Fortner, co-chair of the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society, describes. “People use the beach as a site for recreation and relaxation, for inspiration, food, and, of course, for making a living. Our economy thrives when people come to visit or live here, but not everyone understands that the quality of the beach environment directly affects quality of life.”

The ocean is a provider of sustainability: it not only shares its bounty of salty shellfish and mackerel, but it also provides the serenity we need to relax and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Without spanning beaches, we would not have such breathtaking views—and our community may not thrive as well without the blessings of summertime tourism. It is part of the public’s duty to preserve the beach, not just through supporting town programs but through remaining informed surfers and sunbathers, too.

“The Beach Preservation Society raises money to improve beach accesses through the addition of bike racks and boxes for ‘doggie bags,’ and to educate beach-goers about their responsibility for protecting the dunes and beach, keeping the area clean and reducing hazards from unattended beach gear and unfilled holes,” Fortner explains of the group. “Funds from our annual wine tasting and silent auction are key to expanding our education efforts and reaching out to different groups with beach protection messages.”

In its 14th year, the wine tasting event will feature 13 different varieties, including reds, whites, and rosé wines. These were selected by local connoisseurs, and they will be provided by Empire, Mutual, TCV and Tryon distributors. The offerings span the Southern Hemisphere: Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and South Africa. The tasting and auction will last from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13th.

Appetizers from local eateries including Island Way Restaurant, the host venue for the event, will be available for tasting with the varied selection of wines. As tradition calls, the event will end with a custom decorated cake from Oak Island’s Crazy Cake Chicks. All of the funds, beginning with the $25 per person ticket sales, will provide revenue for beach preservation, conservation and education activities.

The society is recognized for sponsoring 67 public beach accesses across our area through the Adopt-a-Beach program as well as offering occasional beach clean-up events. Members encourage locals and visitors to take the Beach Lovers’ pledge at the Oak Island Town Hall or Recreation Center, which states, “I promise I will keep off dunes and plants, pick up trash, fill all holes, protect sea turtles, [and] remove all gear from the beach when I leave each day.”

Money also will be generated by the event’s silent auction. “So far, local businesses have contributed golf games, gift certificates for fine dining and shopping, personal and pet services, hotel stays, a history cruise, a plane ride, a kayak trip, specialty wines, and a wine tasting/seminar for eight people in the winning bidder’s home,” Fortner details. “Our own crafty Beach Preservationists have made furniture, such as a room divider with sea life paintings on it, plant stands of fine wood, a cabinet made from a wine barrel, and a sand-dollar end table. Others have crocheted and stitched hats, scarves and purses; painted or photographed local scenes and birds; and made wreaths of wine corks, flip-flops and driftwood.”

The event will also crown the Beach Preservationist of the year, for which last year’s award went to Mary Payne. The treasurer of the Beach Preservation Trust Fund Advisory Board, Payne “keeps us solvent and legal with our finances, but she also has been the spark plug that energizes our education projects,” Fortner tells.

“We really enjoy this opportunity to recognize the special leadership that someone has offered on environmental awareness projects or beach preservation activities, either within our organization or external to it, and [someone who is] supportive of our goals,” the co-chair continues.

As of press time, tickets for the wine tasting and silent auction were very close to selling out, as the event fills up quickly each year. Folks may contact Cindy Johnson at 933-4325 to check for any additional tickets or to learn how they may help volunteer with the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society.

The group can be found next at the First Crawl Environmental Festival on May 4th starting at 10 a.m. at Middleton Park (4601 E. Oak Island Dr.). There, they’ll have Beach Lovers gear, including T-shirts, tote bags, license plates, bumper stickers, and magnets. Plus, society membership applications will be on-hand—and members get first notification of the wine tasting tickets. Memberships start at $15 for individuals and $25 for families. Applications and information on other levels of membership also are available at www.oakislandnc.com/beach/join.htm.

For more information on the First Crawl festival, call 278-5518.