Wilmington Star: Military Museum Lies Hidden in Kure Beach

Wilmington Star
By Amy Hotz
July 27, 2010

The N.C. Military History Museum is in a popular tourist beach town. Its front lawn is decorated with real tanks, a large artillery piece and a helicopter.

Can’t miss it, right?

But there’s a good chance you’ve never been there. Or even heard of it.

The museum sits on the back side of the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area in Kure Beach. It’s housed in a building that looks like all the others at the facility – light desert-tan-painted rectangles with brown shingled roofs.

But while the recreation area is mostly for active duty troops on leave and military retirees to enjoy the nearby beach, the museum can be visited by anyone. Don’t let the chain link fence fool you. Just drive right in and park near the helicopter...

As museums go, this one is small and low-tech. The “gift shop” is one small glass counter. The rest of the place is built more like a bunker than a tourist attraction. Most of its operating costs are covered by private donations, and there’s no admission fee.

Yet nearly every inch of every wall, shelf and cabinet is packed with goodies. Some go back as far as the Civil War, but for the most part the museum focuses on World War I through present-day conflicts...

Read the full Wilmington Star article here

Check out the museum website here. (above photos from their website)

Museum Location at the Ft Fisher Air Force Recreation Area:

Fireworks, Films, Seaside Amusements And The Beach Make Carolina Beach The Ideal Destination For Affordable Family Fun

Free Summer Fun Makes North Carolina Beach Town A “Must Visit” Before Summer Fades And The Kids Go Back To School

Carolina Beach, NC (PRWEB) July 28, 2010

A variety of free entertainment options make Carolina Beach a “must visit” destination this summer. Unlike other coastal resorts, this charming seaside village offers a getaway that won't “break the bank.” It's the perfect place for a fun family vacation before the kids go back to school.

Carolina Beach has much to offer those looking for an affordable family getaway. It has quaint beach cottages, bed & breakfast establishments and mid-rise condo villas and hotels suited to any budget. In addition to a boardwalk that lines several miles of clean, Atlantic oceanfront, it also has a variety of charming shops, and restaurants.

Bask in the warm Carolina sun or take a stroll on the pristine beach. Gather the kids to watch the fishing charters return from a day at sea. Or show the kids how to bait a hook and see what you reel in. Everyone will enjoy spending time on the boardwalk where there's entertainment and summer-long festivities.

During summer, the Carolina Beach boardwalk is definitely the place to be. Everything from arcade games and homemade treats to surrey bike rentals and shopping is within walking distance. The "Boardwalk Blast" Summer Event Series has something to please everyone. Tuesday night is Family Night with fun activities for kids, teens and adults that include karaoke, bouncy toys, line dancing, face painting, and more. Wednesday night is Bingo at the Boardwalk. Just steps from the boardwalk are seaside amusements, including a Ferris wheel and popular rides like the Scrambler and Tilt-a-Whirl.

On Sundays, Free family-friendly movies like Up, The Princess & The Frog, and Twilight: New Moon are held at Carolina Beach Lake Park. Every Thursday, families can enjoy live music followed by a dazzling display of fireworks on the beach near the boardwalk. There's something fun for everyone all week long.

Just south of Carolina Beach is Kure Beach. Families will find affordable options here as well. Vacationers can explore the Fort Fisher State Historic Site & Civil War Museum, which is home to the largest earthen fort in the South. History buffs will also want to visit the North Carolina Military History Museum, which has a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits encompassing all branches of the military. If visiting the area on August 14th, step back in time and explore the world of 1865. Vendors and demonstrators will exhibit and sell traditional mid-eighteenth century crafts and the Fort Fisher staff will offer costumed tours and weapons demonstrations.

For a unique opportunity to see nature at its best, head over to the Fort Fisher State Recreation Center, which offers a five-mile stretch of undeveloped beach that is home to nesting loggerhead sea turtles. It also has a swimming area, picnic area with grills and a visitor’s center. On the second and fourth Fridays of summer months, there will be a series of live free concerts, weather permitting.

The visit will not be complete without spending some time at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. It features a 235,000-gallon saltwater shark tank, the half-acre Cape Fear Conservatory with alligators, sturgeon and other freshwater species; and the Open Oceans Gallery that focuses on marine creatures and the nearby ocean reefs.

Enjoy one last summer getaway before school starts. Get away from it all, have a fun, family vacation and still have some money for those school supplies upon returning home. Make some memories to last a lifetime or at least until next summer when the family returns to Carolina Beach.

For additional information, visit www.CarolinaBeachStories.com.

16 Year Old Receives 40 Stitches Following a Shark Bite at Isle of Palms, SC

This past Sunday, a 16 year old tourist from Indiana was bitten by a four foot shark and needed 40 stitches to repair the injury. Here's a video from News2 with an interview of the victim, Alex Stamm, as he explains what happened:

SC Rocket Debris Headed to a Museum

Well, that large piece of satellite covering that washed up at Hilton Head a few months back now has a home at the Beaufort County Coastal Discovery Museum. The Island Packet reports that the 12 foot by 20 foot piece of rocket fairing will be moved to the museum for a four month special exhibit. Following the exhibit, it may be cut into small pieces and given to local schools for their science programs.

Read the full Island Packet story here.

4-minute Documentary on the Fort Fisher Hermit

Here's an interesting student documentary (UNCW Department of Film Studies) on the Fort Fisher Hermit. The video was posted by Joseph Albino on Vimeo approximately 2 months ago. The film is titled "The Hermit" and is approximately 4 four minutes.



Check out the Fort Fisher Hermit Facebook page. There are currently 972 members.

Beautiful Sunrise at Kure Beach

This wonderful pic was posted as a fan photo on the Kure Beach Facebook page.

The Pleasure Island Brewery Invitational July 31st

When: Saturday July 31, 2010 3:00pm till 8:00pm

Where: Carolina Beach Lake

Tickets: $30 advance purchase; $40 at the event
Advance Ticket Purchase Locations:
Online:
•www.goodvibesbrew.com
Carolina Beach
•Treehouse Bistro/The Grind
•Black Horn Bar & Kitchen
•Hoplite Pub & Beer Garden
Wilmington
•Cape Fear Beer and Wine
•Pravda
•Yellow Dog Discs
•Front Street Brewery
•Gravity Records

Attendance Info:
•The show and festival are all ages, families are welcome but with parental guidance, due to ABC law
•21 to drink
•12 and under free
Discounted Designated Driver Tickets will be available for $20 dollars at the gate

Entertainment:
•Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
•Toca Trio
•Medlin Kidz

Breweries Representing:
Good Vibes Brewing Company Wilmington, NC
Wolf Beer Company Wilmington, NC
Front Street Brewery Wilmington, NC
Foothills Brewing Winston-Salem, NC
Natty Greene’s Pub and Brewing Company Greensboro, NC
LoneRider Brewing Company Raleigh, NC
Big Boss Brewing Company Raleigh, NC
Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery Farmville, NC
Highland Brewing Company Asheville, NC
Catawba Valley Brewing Company Morganton, NC
Huske Hardware House Brewery Fayetteville, NC
Craggie Brewing Company Asheville, NC
Kind Beer’s Brewing Charlotte, NC
Terrapin Beer Co. Athens, GA
Thomas Creek Brewery Greenville, SC
New South Brewing Company Myrtle Beach, SC
Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn, NY
Jones Brewing Company Latrobe, PA
BROUWERIJ BAVIK Bavikhove West Flanders, Belgium

Portion of Festival Proceeds Help
NC Brewer's Guild (www.ncbeer.org)
Sea Turtle Project: (www.seaturtleproject.org)

Volunteers Needed at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk

The Boardwalk Makeover Group is looking for a few volunteers to help during and after our Thursday Night Music and Fireworks shows from 8-10pm. We are looking for volunteers to assist with the raffles and help put away chairs at the end of the night. If you would like to volunteer, even once a month, please see us at the CB Boardwalk Tuesday OR Thursday nights. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you from the Boardwalk Makeover Group
http://www.boardwalkmakeover.org/

Myrtle Beach Shark Bite Victim Tells His Story

Ten year-old Josh Myers is home in Gettysburg, PA and tells a reporter with WPMT about his shark encounter that left him with 19 stitches while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Fox43 News Video:

Hoplite Pub & Beer Garden: A Great Addition to the Island

If you haven't yet tried Hoplite Pub and Beer Garden, now is the perfect time as they are currently offering a 50% off opportunity. At WWAY, you can buy a Hoplite $50 gift certificate for just $25. This is a limited offer and there are only 35 certificates left to purchase. So go here to check it out.

Hoplite is a European style pub offering a unique selection of beer, wine and dinning choices. On the beer front, I can't seem to order anything other than their draft Smithwicks which I blame on my partial Irish roots. They offer two sizes of draft beers with the largest being the best value. Of course when Smithwicks is being served on draft , a "small" size just seems unholy to me.

As for their pub food, I've really enjoyed everything that I've tried. But so far, my two favorites are their Bangers n’ Mashed and the Corned Beef n’ Cabbage. If you've had the opportunity to taste these dishes across the proverbial pond, then you will be pleased with what Hoplite has accomplished here. Both offerings are significant and you won't walk away feeling hungry. Toss in a Rugby game on one of their numerous TV's, and I'd probably never leave.

Some of the other menu selections that I've tasted and would recommend are the Sheppard's Pie, Reuben, Fish & Chips and the Meatloaf (it doesn't come with carrots but they'll include a few if you ask). On the appetiser list, their onion rings are very good and have a little kick similar to Outback's Blooming Onion. I'm also a big fan of the chicken legs that are served hot, BBQ & plain. Mind you, these are actually full size legs so don't order dozen as an appetizer.

The outside beer garden is very welcoming and makes for a nice place to just hang out with friends and enjoy a cold beverage. I always felt that when Tuscan Grill occupied the space, they never made good use of that unique and inviting area.

So if you haven't checked them out, there is no time like now. And while you're there, say hello to the affable owner Chazz. He's easy to spot, just look for the guy who played college football...you'll know.

Menu

Hoplite Pub on Facebook

Carolina Beach Farmers Market Going to the Dogs

Carolina Beach Farmers Market has more than fresh vegetables and fruits; there are special products and treats for your pets.

My Porch Dawg Gourmet dog treat bakery offers made-to-order treats made with human grade ingredients without preservatives, artificial dyes or chemicals and slow baked for a full flavor and snappy crunch. All treats have been lab tested and registered with the NC Department of Health.

Glynnels Soaps makes a variety of all natural soaps for dogs. Coalman's All Natural Dog Soap made with lavender and oatmeal oil with antibacterial and anti-itch properties helps clear up skin allergies. Franklyn's Dog Soap, made with eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils, is known for its flea and mosquito repelling properties.

For the sweetest pictures of your best friend go to Snyderneff Pet Photography's booth. Beach portraits, Christmas Cards or just a special picture can be ordered or purchased from the collection of pictures and posters. Critters on the Move takes photos of your pets and makes decals to be placed in the car windows.

Other products for your pets include hand-made silver and brass charms by Fishbone Designs, and dog accessories from Dog Perils.

Shoppers and dogs love coming to Carolina Beach Farmers Market and walking the lake. But remember dogs can quickly get overheated. Be sure to keep them cool with lots of water and a rest in the shade while listening to this weeks entertainer!

Carolina Beach Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8am to 1pm atthe lake.

Farmer's Market Facebook page.

Lumina News: Warmer Waters Blamed for Shark Bites

Lumina News

by Brian Freskos
Thursday, July 22, 2010

Three days after a shark bite off Wrightsville Beach’s north end, a leading expert on July 20 pointed a finger at higher than average ocean temperatures, saying the high temps had opened early predatory feeding grounds along the North Carolina seaboard.

George Burgess, director of Florida’s shark research program and curator of the International Shark Attack File, suggested the unusually high ocean temperatures had accelerated northern migratory patterns at the same time droves of people were flocking to area beaches, enhancing the probability sharks and humans would interact...

Ocean temperatures have been unseasonably warm. Meteorologist Josh Weiss, of the National Weather Service in Wilmington, said in-water July temperatures have historically averaged 81 degrees. But temperatures have lingered in the mid-80s since June.

Between 2003 and 2009, shark bites in North Carolina averaged 1.5 per year, Burgess said. That is lower than South Carolina, which saw three per year on average during that same time period.

South Carolina has already met its yearly average. Bites have occurred at Otter Island, Fripp Island and most recently at Myrtle Beach, Burgess said...

Read the full article here.