Since its inception in 1948, the Festival has blossomed into an extended weekend celebration that attracts more than 300,000 people.

For more than 50 years, the folks of Southeastern North Carolina have been throwing the best party in the South and you’re invited! There’s something for everyone among the area’s rich array of artwork, gardens, history and culture.

This year’s concert headliners are the Goo Goo Dolls with Collective Soul on Thursday, April 8th, at Trask Coliseum, UNCW 8:00 PM

Since forming in 1986 the Goo Goo Dolls have evolved from a punk-inspired trio to the platinum-selling, chart-topping act behind such radio staples as “Name,” “Slide,” and “Here is Gone.”

Their song, “Iris” from the City of Angels soundtrack propelled the group to stardom as the hit stayed on top of the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay charts for a record-breaking 18 weeks, and was nominated for three Grammy’s that year.

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Collective Soul gained a special place in the hearts of music lovers.

They burst onto the scene in 1993 with the rock anthem “Shine” and have been making music for nearly 2 decades since then.

“Tremble for My Beloved” found them on the soundtrack to one of the hottest movies of 2008, Twilight.

A multi-platinum band with a catalog of #1 hit singles, Collective Soul will open the Thursday night concert.
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On Friday April 9th, country megastars Montgomery Gentry will also headline at Trask Coliseum, UNCW at 8:00 PM

Montgomery Gentry’s journey into the front ranks of American music has been one of the most gratifying sagas of the past decade.

Their road to gold and platinum albums, CMA and ACM awards, a Grammy nomination and highly successful tours has been paved with musical integrity and with an abiding respect for the people and the genre they represent.

I recently took an afternoon off and revisited this incredible place – I hadn’t been there in years and forgot what I was missing.

First of all the location alone is amazing – wooden walkways wind amongst ruins of the pre-Revolutionary town which lie side by side with the remains of a Civil War era Confederate fortification originally called Fort St. Philip’s (later renamed Fort Anderson).

All of this is located along a virtually undeveloped area along the Cape Fear River offering some of the most beautiful views of the river seen through ancient live Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. A great place to spend the day and have a picnic on the grounds.

I don’t know if there is anywhere where more history is packed into such a small area!
The town of Brunswick was settled by merchants coming from Barbados by way of Goose Creek SC in 1726 by Maurice Moore (who’s descendants later built Orton Plantation next to the town).

The port became a bustling shipping area for exporting tar, pitch, and turpentine. These products, derived from the resin of the longleaf pine, were known collectively as naval stores. This “sticky gold” was essential for building and maintaining the great wooden sailing ships of the Royal Navy and the merchant fleet that sailed the oceans between Europe, its American colonies, and the islands of the Caribbean.

In 1748 the town was attacked by Spanish invaders who were eventually driven off by 80 brave men many of which were African slaves.

In 1765 (eight years before the Boston Tea Party!) the residents challenged the Crown’s authority to distribute hated tax stamps halting the collection of the tax along the Cape Fear.

Brunswick was the seat of two Royal Governors until Brunswick’s decline which resulted from several factors, including the growth of Wilmington and the relocation of the royal governor to New Bern in 1770.

Few people remained in Brunswick in the spring of 1776 when British redcoats were put ashore from the Royal Navy ship Cruizer. Some reports indicate that much of the town was burned during this raid. By the end of the Revolutionary War families and merchants had moved to other locations, and the ruins and land became part of Orton Plantation in 1842. After being was razed by British troops in 1776 Brunswick was never rebuilt.

Painting Courtesy of Miller Pope from his book: "Tales of the Silver Coast".

Then, during the Civil War, Ft. Anderson was constructed atop the old village site. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort. This serene riverside setting, colonial and Civil War history, and colorful exhibits will be long remembered by visitors.

In 1861 the Confederate States of America decided to build a large fort at the site as part of the river defense of Wilmington. The Cape Fear was an essential route for supplies moving by rail from Wilmington to Petersburg and Richmond for General Lee’s army.

The Confederate army used manual labor to construct the large sand fortification originally called Fort St. Philip’s. There were two batteries, each with five cannons overlooking the shipping channel and providing protection to blockade runners.

In February 1865, following the fall of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the river, Union forces repositioned to attack Fort Anderson. Federals attacked from the land and river. After three days of fighting, the Confederates evacuated the fort at night. Union gunboats started firing at first light, unaware Federal soldiers were breaching the walls of the fort. The infantry frantically waved sheets and blankets to stop the deadly fire from their own forces. There was a one-day fight north of the site at Town Creek before the Federals occupied Wilmington on George Washington’s birthday, February 22, 1865.

The Site Today

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, archaeologists uncovered foundations from Brunswick’s earliest days.

The most visible structure is the hulk of St. Philip’s Anglican Church with its surviving walls dating back to 1754.

Another interesting foundation is Russellborough, an old sea captain’s house that was used by royal governors Tryon and Dobbs.

The visitor center houses several displays that cover the time periods of both the old town and the fort.

In the lobby is a colorful mural created by Claude Howell and Catherine Hendricksen depicting a scene from a Spanish attack on the town in 1748.

Also the original large color painting of the Confederate soldiers shown above by Miller Pope (founder/owner of The Winds Resort Beach Club!). This painting is from his book Tales of the Silver Coast – A Secret History of NC’s Brunswick County.

All of Miller Pope’s books are available at his website http://MillerPope.com

A cannon on display was recovered from the river in 1986 and is believed to be from the Spanish ship Fortuna, which blew up in the river as the townspeople regained control of the port.

The remains of homes, businesses, and other buildings bear witness to the story of Brunswick. Along with artifacts from the Civil War and the imposing mounds of Fort Anderson, this site offers a unique look at two fascinating periods of American history.

“For there are deeds that should not pass away,
And names that must not wither.”
- plaque in St. Philip’s Church

Brunswick Town? 8884 St. Philip’s Rd. SE?, Winnabow, NC 28479? Phone: (910) 371-6613? Email: brunswick@ncdcr.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Plan to come spend a day at Orton Plantation! The gardens will soon be in their glory. The historic landscape designed around the 1735 mansion and colonial rice fields overlooking the Cape Fear River and 20 acres of secluded walking trails surrounded by hundreds of acres of rice fields make Orton Plantation Gardens a wonderful place to visit.

Generations of locals and tourists travel to the historic property with its beautiful antebellum plantation house. Azaleas, dogwoods, camellias and various annuals bring a splash of color to the riverside oaks and pines.

One of the oldest plantations on the Lower Cape Fear and the only one with a manor house still standing, Orton has become a privately owned tourist attraction, celebrated for its elaborate gardens. In recent years, the plantation and its grounds have served as locations on a number of motion pictures.

When a cousin of the Sprunt family was seriously injured in an automobile accident In the late 1930s. Family members decided to open Orton plantation as a public garden for a long weekend to raise money for his medical bills, .

Visitors so enjoyed the gardens and grounds that the family continued to keep them open to the public. These days, the gardens are open each year, March through August and September through November.

The house and grounds are located at 9149 Orton Road S.E., Brunswick County just off N.C. 133, close to the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.

Get directions click here!

Hours are 8am to 5pm March – August and 10am – 5pm September – November (except they close for Thanksgiving Day).

The beach is quiet, the air and water temperatures continue to be mild and best of all the rates have dropped!

What a great time to get away!

The Winds Resort Beach Club’s Island Escape starts as low as $234.00 for two people for a 3 Day/ 2 Night Getaway!

So what’s stopping you? Start planning your escape – the dates for these rates are :

$234.00* – 3 Days/ 2 Nights – 3/5/10 – 3/25/10 (Sunday – Thursday nights)
$246.00* – 3 Days/ 2 Nights – 3/5/10 – 3/25/10 (Friday – Saturday nights)

Download free discount coupons good for an additional 15% off the already low off season room weekday rates! Click here to download these valuable coupons that you can print right off of your computer.

Package includes:

• Accommodations in an Island View Camellia Guest Room with a wet bar, microwave and refrigerator, sitting area and an islandview deck.

• Hot Southern breakfast buffet

• Champagne for a private toast

• Use of complimentary bikes to explore the island

• Add *Dinner For Two at nearby Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant (overlooking the intra-coastal waterway) for $65.00. Dinner Includes: Two Entrees (any menu item), Bottle of House Wine, Salad, Dessert, Non-alcoholic Beverages.

*Please note that some restaurants have seasonal hours and may not be open seven days a week. Please check for restaurant availability when booking.

The air and water temps remain mild throughout this time of year. So come enjoy yourself in the sunshine on our breathtaking island beach, around our oceanfront pool, in our indoor heated pool or in one of our many whirlpool spas.

*Special Rates are for reservations booked on or after 11/1/09. Not available with any other discount or special rates. Special rates and discounts not applicable during holidays and high occupancy periods.

The Winds is a proud recipient of The Gold Star of Excellence Award from the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association for “Spotless Reputation in Cleanliness”!

Play Sea Trail’s Three Signature Courses:
Maples, Jones, Byrd
2/12/10 – 2/28/2010 $199.00
3/1/10 – 3/31/2010 $310.00

Play The Big Cats: Lions Paw, Panthers Run & Tigers Eye

2/11/10 – 2/24/10: $261.00
2/25/10 – 3/04/10: $291.00

Play The Big Cats: Tigers Eye, Panthers Run & Leopards Chase
10/26/09 – 11/15/09: $306.00
11/16/09 – 11/26/09: $294.00
11/27/09 – 1/20/10: $273.00

Brunswick Plantation, Rivers Edge & Lockwood Folly

2/11/10 – 2/24/10: $306.00
2/25/10 – 3/04/10: $330.00

Package includes:
• 3 Nights Lodging
• Daily Hot Southern Breakfast Buffet
• Daily Housekeeping
• Daily Round of Golf On Each Of Sea Trail’s Three Courses
• Courses are Dan Maples, Willard Byrd and Rees Jones
• All Cart Fees
• All Greens Fees
• Rates based on 4 golfers in a 2 bedroom/2 bath suite, 8 golfers if a 4 bedroom/4 bath Resort House or 2 golfers in a one bedroom/one bath Deluxe Room or one bedroom suite (when available).

For more information on these and all packages visit: http:thewindsgolf.com

To book any of these golf packages please call The Winds’ Golf Desk: 800.334.3581

Coastal Cinemas in Shallotte has just changed over from using the traditional 35 mm film to all-digital projection. Engineers there recently installed new Sony 4K Digital Cinema Systems technology into their 10-screen theater, providing for viewing in high-definition for regular and 3-D movies.

The new 4K format produces four times the number of pixels in its images than other digital projectors. The first major motion picture to incorporate this new technology was James Cameron’s recent blockbuster “Avatar.” Sony claims it will soon become the norm.

At Coastal Cinemas, three of the 10 screens will now show 3-D movies. Several of these are soon to premiere there. These include “Toy Story 3 and “How to Train Your Dragon”. Sony has created a partnership with RealD combining the 4K projector system with RealD’s 3D technology, creating an intense experience for moviegoers.

The new projectors also make the method of building film to be projected onto the screen obsolete and this will create an lighter workload for theater employees.

Before the installation of the digital projector, theater staff had to build the movies using film reels placed on circular tables called “platters”. The projectionist then fed the film through a number of rollers, then had to thread the film through the projector with it finally ending up on another platter.

With the change to digital technology the staff will receive movies on hard drives to be downloaded into the digital projectors instead of receiving large canisters of film every week to feed through the projector.

Using no film will mean there are fewer moving parts, no splicing and none of the wear and tear that gradually breaks down film.

Oceanfront On Ocean Isle Beach! 249 W First St

One-half of duplex in premier oceanfront location on west part of beach. Extra wide and extra deep lot.

Completely renovated and beautifully appointed. This is your affordable way to own a gorgeous 4 BR/4 bath oceanfront home and share 50% of the expenses.

Listed with Pope Real Estate – Ocean Isle Beach 800.707.4402

Rock on the deck or sit out on the extra large gazebo at top of dune and watch the dolphins swim by! Has terrific rental income. This is a must-see and is priced to sell.

Let Martha Pope show you this beautiful oceanfront home at Ocean Isle Beach as well as any other MLS listing at Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, Bald Head Island or the mainland golf areas and Shallotte!

This beautiful oceanfront home is situated on a 0.373 acre lot. Its a great rental!

As an Accreditied Buyer Representative I can furnish information and represent you with regard to any properties in the Multiple Listing Service.

For more information on this or any other property anywhere in the area please contact me martha@pope-realestate.com.

Directions Cross OIB bridge onto Island. Turn right (west) at pier and continue down W First Street to #249 on left. Sign on property.

Interest rates are below 6% on residential mortgage loans but the most likely scenario is that these mortgage loan rates will not stay this low for long so buyers would be wise to be actively looking to buy and take advantage very soon.

A coach and speaker at the NAR (National Association of Realtors) Convention by the name of Rich Levin has absolutely hit the nail on the head!

He says “THE TIME IS NOW FOR REAL ESTATE” and he is 100% correct. All of the factors are lining up for the next 6 to 12 months to be that year and here’s why:

Economist Woody Hall (University of North Carolina Wilmington ) projects that the local economy will grow by 4 percent in 2010.

According to the report by UNCW’s economic prognosticator delivered at an Economic Outlook Forecast at UNCW, the Southeast NC region will see economic growth at a rate faster than either the state of North Carolina or the nation as a whole.

As buyers realize that it is a good time to buy (but not necessarily for sellers to sell) the demand will begin to absorb the foreclosures and short sales and then exceed supply.

Over the next year or two the additional demand may very well even lead to a seller’s market, however gradual it may be.

Image From The Economic Outlook Forecast Summit at UNCW

The signs of this shift are occurring now – the supply of new construction and foreclosure homes are being absorbed by first time buyers, investors, and secure homeowners who are taking advantage of their financial strength.

“This Spring may be the tipping point when market activity flourishes,” Rich says, and I believe it will.

After the first of the year mortgage money should be much more readily available from the banks.

He then refers to inflation as the “X factor” remembering a rapidly inflationary period. For instance, one day you could put a quarter into the vending machine and get a Coke. The next time it was forty cents and the next time it was fifty cents and within five years it was seventy-five cents and so on.

Your money buys less and the cost of what you buy increases.

If you owned real estate during this same period you were probably very happy because the property you owned also doubled in price no matter where you lived.

Who knows if we are on the verge of another inflationary surge – but if inflation does devalue our money…then real estate prices will increase (along with the price of almost all other hard goods) and this year’s buyers are going to benefit tremendously! Regardless, it is time for buyers to get in the market!

At your leisure I invite you to visit my website at pope-realestate.com and click on the local MLS logo to check out what’s for sale currently. I welcome any questions or requests at any time!

By Martha Pope – Accredited Buyers Representative of the National Association of Realtors.
If I can help answer any questions, furnish further information or assist in any way please contact me by phone: 800.708.4402 or email at Martha@Pope-RealEstate.com

To receive a .pdf file of the entire Economic Outlook Forecast Conference at UNCW call or send an email to me.