Southport Magazine

A breath of fresh Spring air for April activities
Story by LISA STITES
Spring is about new growth, renewal and fresh starts. There are plenty of opportunities this month to fully shed the remnants of winter. Get your body moving and soak up the beauty around you in the annual Lighthouse Run, and find out what you can do to help protect our piece of paradise with events scheduled around Earth Day.

Movie presentation April 19 — “A Plastic Ocean”
Our coastal communities have many organizations dedicated to helping preserve and protect our waters and wildlife. As Earth Day approaches, the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department, the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society and Coastal Watch have teamed up to offer a free showing of “A Plastic Ocean.” The documentary explores more than 20 locations, documenting pollution by plastics and the effect on oceans.
“Plastic Oceans Foundation is a global charitable organization that aims to change the worlds’ attitude to plastic in a single generation. The organization aims to limit the demand for non-essential plastic, using the ocean as a litmus test to monitor the impact of this man-made pollution crisis on human health,” according to the group’s website.
The movie will be shown on Thursday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Island Recreation Center, 3003 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island. Viewers should bring a reusable cup or mug to enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage or snack. To reserve a spot or to find out more details, call the Recreation Center at (910) 278-5518.
Earth Day Celebration April 20 on Oak Island
Celebrate Earth Day on Oak Island Friday, April 20, at Middleton Park. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free. Children and adults can learn what they can do to protect and care for the planet. Conservation groups in the area are participating, and green businesses with “a passion for operating with minimal environmental impact” and whose owners want to “share their insight and love for sustainable living” are also being encouraged to participate.
The first Earth Day was held on April 20, 1970. Now, people in nearly 200 countries participate in Earth Day activities, according to the Earth Day organization’s website.
As part of Oak Island’s celebration, t
there will be booths with hands-on exhibits and learning opportunities, displays, food and more. School groups are encouraged to attend.
For more details, call the Oak Island Recreation Center at (910) 278-5518.

Get active in one of the annual Lighthouse Run routes
It was 20 years ago when retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Clarence Willie suggested the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce organize a run. Though the route has changed over the years, the annual Lighthouse Run continues to offer hundreds of runners and walkers the chance to participate.
This year’s Run will be held on Saturday, April 21, but the festivities get started the night before. On Friday, April 20th, racers can pick up their packets and complete registration at the North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by The Nick Michaels Duo.
There is a course for runners, or walkers, at any level. There is the Half Marathon Run, and 1-mile, 5k and 10k Run or Walk. All the routes have Oak Island’s beautiful coastal backdrop. The Half Marathon route will not cross the bridge but will reach the Oak Island Lighthouse, and the 10k crosses Davis Canal on footbridges.
The day of the race, activities get started bright and early at 6 a.m. at Middleton park soccer fields, at the corner of Dolphin Drive and SE 46th Street. Packet pickup and registration is from 6 to 7 a.m. that morning. There is also Chalk Art at the Start during the same timeframe. From 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., runners and walkers can join the stretching and warm up session. Race starts are as follows: 7:30 a.m. for the Half Marathon, 8 a.m. for the 10k, 8:15 a.m. for the 5k and 8:20 a.m. for the 1-mile fun run.
Post-run activities include beverages and frozen treats to help celebrate the race’s 20th Anniversary. The award ceremony will be at 10 a.m. For more information or to register, visit www.lighthouse10k.com.
The deadline for pre-registration is April 18, so get those registrations submitted.

Southport NatureFest — April 28
Become one with nature during Southport’s Nature Fest, scheduled this year on Saturday, April 28. Events such as guided tours, talks, a movie and demonstrations are scheduled in various parts of town. The purpose of NatureFest it to increase awareness and appreciation of the diverse nature present in Brunswick County. The day’s activities start at 7:30 a.m. with kayaking on Cottage Creek. The final lecture begins at 3 p.m. with the presentation by Cape Fear River Keeper Kemp Burdette.
The main locations for NatureFest activities will be Franklin Square Park and the Southport Baptist Church. Excursions beyond downtown Southport include bird boat tours, a guided tour of the Green Swamp Preserve, and kayaking on Cottage Creek. Some events require a fee and pre-registration. Check the list below for details, or visit http://southportnc.org/event/southport-naturefest/ for more information.

The following events are scheduled as part of NatueFest:
— 7:30 a.m. – Kayaking on Cottage Creek with The Adventure Kayak Company. This event requires pre-registration and a $49 fee; call (910) 454-0607.
— 8:00 a.m. – Bird Walk in downtown Southport, starting at Wild Bird and Garden Store, 105 E. Brown St. (1 hr.) Pre-registration is required; call (910) 547-9453.
— 8:30 a.m. – Bus trip to Green Swamp Preserve with Dr. Roger Shew as tour guide, departs from 209 N. Atlantic Ave. (2.5 – 3 hrs.) Pre-registration and $5 fee required; call (904) 290-6802.
— 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Plant Sale, Franklin Square Park with plants sold by the Southport Garden Club. There will also be an opportunity to learn about pollinators — The benefits of bats from the Bald Head Island Conservancy, Honeybees and beekeeping from the UNCW Beekeepers Association and How to support pollinators and other wildlife with plants – Brunswick County Master Gardeners Association.
— 10:00 a.m. – Birding Boat Tours sponsored by Southport Boat Rentals. Small passenger boats will launch from the Yacht Basin with guides providing bird identification and information. (45 mins. – 1hr.) Pre-registration and $35 fee required; call (904) 290-6802.

Everyone is invited to visit Southport’s coffee venues and restaurants during the break between morning and afternoon events.
— 1:30 p.m. – Flight of the Butterflies” documentary movie showing at Southport Baptist Church CMC, 102 E. Nash Street. The movie is 45 minutes in length and is suitable for all ages. Free.
— 3:00 p.m. – Lecture presentation by Cape Fear Riverkeeper, Kemp Burdette, at the Southport Baptist Church CMC, E. Nash Street. (1.5 – 2 hrs.) — The Cape Fear River, its Beauty and its Challenges

GOLF CLASSIC
The Southport-Oak Island Area Golf Classic is a fundraising golf tournament for the Chamber held annually, the first Saturday in May. For several years, the event has been held at the Oak Island Golf & Country Club. In 2018 the tournament will be held on May 5th.
A four-person captain’s choice format, the tournament attracts a full field of golfers at every skill level. The Golf Classic is a great opportunity to network with fellow business owners in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Entry fee is $420 per team and includes cart, green fees, morning breakfast omelet wrap from Tropical Smoothie Cafe’, coffee and juice, on course hospitality cart, and lunch.
Teams will be flighted by scores. The Championship, 1st Flight, Women’s & Mixed Flights will receive $420 Cash Prizes for first place. Minimum of three teams to make a flight. Championship Flight will be low 6 teams and ties.
2018 Hole in One Challenge on #12 – $10.00 per person for a chance to win $5,000.
Pre-register at the Chamber,4433 Long Beach Road, Southport or Oak Island Golf & Country Club, 928 Caswell Beach Road, Caswell Beach. Check-in the day of the tournament opens at 7:30am at the Oak Island Golf & Country Club and the tournament begins with a shotgun start at 8:30am.
There are a number of ways to sponsor and get your business noticed during the event. Contact Chamber for more information 910.457-6964.