Southport NC Real Estate - Vicki Burton- Buyer's Agent

With Halloween just a couple days away, I thought I'd do a quick run down of some of the options available to kids as well as adults who still love a costume party or a haunted carriage ride.

I can't resist starting out with Old South Tour and Carriage Company's Haunted Ghost Tour in and around Downtown Southport on Halloween night. Something tells me that the Old Smithville Burial Grounds will be involved. Learn about Southport's history and be scared out of your wits...a perfect combination. Tickets available starting at 7pm on Halloween night at the Whittler's Bench at the foot of Howe St. on the water. Tour starts at 7:30. Advance tickets also available at Stewart Hardware. $12/Adults - $5/under 12.

The City of Southport and Downtown Southport, Inc. is putting on a Fall Festival. Among the many activities planned are Stories Beneath the Silent Stones with Pat Kirkman of Southport Historical Society at the Old Smithville Burying Ground from 5-7. Stage II Productions will host a "Monster Mash" with music and entertainment at the Waterfront Park from 6-8. Also don't miss Southport's last outdoor movie of the season! Bring a chair or blanket to the Garrison lawn and watch Monster House at 7:30. Looks like the weather will be clear ... highs/60s ... lows/mid 40s ...put on your woollies!

Don't miss Brunswick Little Theatre's production of Dracula to be performed Halloween weekend only at Odell Williamson Auditorium. This is not the campy Dracula of the 1931 Bela Lugosi movie. It is rather the story of a man's undying love with his dead wife, who had died almost 500 years earlier. It is a story of obsession and passion. Portion of the proceeds will go to the Cape Fear Red Cross. Tickets $15/adults - $6 students at the door or by calling the Odell Williamson box office. For more information call Ron Lee -910-294-2184.

The Brunswick Co. Sheriff's Office is having it's 1st annual Halloween Carnival at the Government Complex in Bolivia. It will be held on Halloween night from 6:30 - 9pm. The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce will be co-sponsoring the carnival and helping with donations, games, and various booths. It sounds like there will be a multitude of activities offered ... hay rides, cake walks, a pumpkin decorating contest, fishing, bag tossing, ringing the bottle, and more. Goodie bags for all kids plus hot dogs, popcorn, clowns, and pony rides. Sounds like a winner!

Sponsored by the Benedict Foundation, there is even a Halloween event for dogs to be held Friday, Oct. 31 from 2-4pm at 1013 E. Moore St. Bring your dog and a box of dog biscuits to be donated to local animal rescue. Prizes awarded for best costumes. For $5 donation, have your pooches picture taken with a scarecrow. Sounds like fun? For more info call 910-200-2244.

Boiling Spring Lakes Parks and Rec. is once again sponsoring a "Trunk or Treat" as a safer alternative to traditional trick or treating. Come out and register your vehicle and give out candy between 5:30 and 7:30. Click here for detailed information and registration form or call 845-3693.

Southport Baptist Church Women's Group's, Holly Days, will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Southport City Gym. It is an annual arts and crafts fair sure to get you in the spirit for the upcoming holiday season. For more information, call Kathy Holbrook at 278-3134.

And finally, having nothing to do with Halloween, but one of Brunswick County's best Fall traditions is the Dixon Chapel Oyster Roast in Varnumtown. I'll admit it's been years since we've been but if you don't mind the crowds and enjoy the genuine comradery of hovering over a table of of steaming, hissing oysters cooked over a slow wood fire ... then by all means grab a mitt and an oyster knife and head that way. The ladies of the church provide all the "fixins." You won't be disappointed. Call Carson Varnum at 842.6425.

For me, this is the start of the very best time of year in Southport, no doubt about it. Come out and enjoy! And the sunsets just can't be beat ..... James Taylor says it best "Hey babe the sky's on fire, I'm dyin' ain't I ... I'm gone to Carolina in my mind."

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SOUTHPORT - There is so much happening locally and in the area this weekend that I feel the need to hit the high spots for those deciding what they might like to do. The biggest of the events snuck up on me this year. The 30th Annual US Open King Mackerel Tournament got underway in Southport yesterday. With over $100,000 in prize money given to 55 winners, the tournament easily attracts 400 boats every year. I haven't done it in awhile, but it's well worth it to get up before dawn and head down to the the Waterfront and watch the boats head out to hallowed fishing grounds. Don't forget the fish fry on Saturday night at the Marina. The public is welcome and plates are $7.

 

As a sidekick on Saturday at 10:00, there's Captain Charlie's Kid's Fishing Tournament for kids 16 years of age & under at the City Pier. A free t-shirt & food goes to the 1st 100 children to register. Bring your own rod & bait. Co-Sponsored by: Southport Parks & Recreation & Southport Lions Club. 910-457-7945

 

Backing up a day, tonight Downtown Southport hosts its First Friday Gallery Walk from 5-7.   Enjoy  refreshments and special events at each participating gallery: Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E. West Street; The Ricky Evans Gallery, 211 N. Howe Street; Lantana's Gallery & Fine Gifts, 110 E. Nash Street & Cape Fear Coppershop, 111-B S. Howe Street. And it's FREE!

 

Back to Saturday, from 9AM - 2PM is the 16th Annual Street of Shops -Fall Craft Bonanza. It has become quite an event that is held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church every year. It benefits both in and out-reach programs, offering a wide range of locally hand made goods.  Bake Sale, raffle and light lunch available.

 

From there you might want to head over to Stage II Production's first ever Oktoberfest - "Celebration of Beer, Brautwurst, and Ballyhoo" from 3-7:30. It's in Southport behind Smithville Commons at 807 N Howe. (Behind the Adventure Company) The Harbour Town Fest Band will perform. 910-363-4274.

 

If you're still in the spirit, a benefit concert with Anne Haley and Friends will be at St. Peter's Lutheran Church just north of Long Beach Road on Highway 211. It starts at 7:30 and includes a former resident of Oak Island, Anne Haley, who has an extensive performing history. Friends and fellow musicians, singers, and songwriters John Golden, Catesby Jones, and Mark Teachey will join the show. Two special guests included phenomenal mandolin player, Gerald Hampton, of Franklinville, NC and Wilmington's Kent Knorr and his ukulele talents. Proceeds will benefit the Southport-Oak Island Food Pantry.  910-842-5160.

 

And finally, last but not least is this weekend only's run of the spectacular Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The Sunday matinee will be the perfect time to see Brunswick Little Theatre's ambitious and infectious rendition of this timeless classic. With shows at Odell Williamson Auditorium, the curtain goes up tonight at 7:30, followed by a matinee on both Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. I am helping out with tech on this show and I can say unabashedly that kid's of ALL ages will LOVE is show. The special effects will have everyone on the edge of their seats. Amazing set and lighting designer from New York, Paul Bertelsen, elevates the show, bringing 25-years of professional work to our local stage.  Director Debbie Skillman has once again put together a teriffic show with a talented bunch of kids. All tickets/$6 ... don't miss it!

Contact: Thom Clemmons - 910-524-4869

The weather looks to be absolutely perfect all weekend. Let's get out and enjoy!

 

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It was this timeless cottage, built in historic Southport a few years ago that caught my fancy and introduced me to the simple, practical, and fanciful designs of Architect Phil Arroyas.

This home, as well as those Arroyas has designed for his dream community The Cottages of Price's Creek, look like they BELONG in Southport.

 

 

 

 

Above is a photo I took of an on-site billboard and the individual pictures are not mine.

 

Nestled on 18 heavily wooded acres with 54 home sites just outside the City limits, Price's Creek embraces the up-and- coming return for some, to "living smaller." Appealing to those who have a thing for old houses but want more open and flexible interior spaces, the  thoughtfulness of design and quality of materials is impressive. With home sizes ranging from 1100-2200 square feet, designs boast 12' ceilings, tile and  hardwood throughout, authentic bead board, Hardie board exterior siding and copper flashing. Sidewalks meander through the neighborhood and big front porches actually lend themselves to sitting, a past time long forgotten but a real tradition in Southport. Currently there are five homes for sale with prices ranging from 389,000 to 499,000. Two have gone under contract this month.  Some of these are pre-construction prices and others are well underway and available for viewing. If this is the kind of neighborhood you've been looking for, I'd love to show it to you. Just email me or you can reach me on my cell anytime ... 910.540.0551. Please visit my Southport Blog for plenty of community info and local links. 

 

 

Cottage living...more than a trend...a concept that just makes sense

Come see for yourself!

When you drive through the gates of historic Orton Plantation, you are immediately taken aback by the shear beauty of your surroundings. Take a giant step back to an earlier time ... we're talking early 1735, when Roger Moore established what would become the most significant Colonial plantation on the lower Cape Fear river. Ten miles upriver from Southport and the Cape Fear's confluence with the Atlantic, Orton has a rich and colorful history. Orton's notoriety in the region came in part because of its success as a rice plantation. It's elaborate system of dikes and levees built in the marshes along the Cape Fear River provided the necessary flushing with the rise and fall of every tide. Rice was still being produced at Orton as late as the 1920s. Mr. James Sprunt purchased Orton in 1904 from his father-in-law Col. Kenneth Murchison, who was responsible for extensive restorations following the Civil War. Orton has flourished ever since through the faithful guardianship of Sprunt's children and grandchildren. Yesterday I was honored to attend the 100th birthday of Mr. Clarence Jones, a man who not only worked in those rice fields, but would spend the next 70 years planting and nurturing the beautiful gardens of Orton Plantation.

I guess I've really never known a real live Centenarian. I've only seen them pictured on Willard Scott's 100th birthday wishes on the Today Show. My great grandmother, "Granny Vic," that I was named after, lived to be 99. She was out late playing cards the night before she died so I grew up knowing it's at least possible to live a very long an active life. As for Mr. Clarence, he still drives, he still comes by every Thursday to check on things, greet visitors, and tell a story or two. This is a man with a lot of stories.

He got to tell a few of those stories yesterday, to a very large and attentive audience of family and friends, all there to share in celebration of a true "living legend." His legacy most notably is Orton Plantation Gardens, a breathtaking 20 acres of azaleas, camellias, crepe myrtles, dogwoods, magnolia, colorful perennials and seasonal annuals. It was told yesterday that Mr. Clarence can identify the variety of azalea by feeling the leaf. This seems believable, seeing as he either planted or propagated most all of the azaleas and camellias in the garden.

So back to the birthday party .... it was a grand and fitting affair. Both Wilmington news crews came to cover it and interview Mr. Jones. Local barbeque, fried chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, hushpuppies, and sweet tea were served...what more do you need? There were touching tributes, letters from various dignitaries, heavenly singing voices, colorful storytelling, and earth-shaking cannon booms. It was the day of ALL days indeed. From here I'll let the pictures do the talking.

From the beginning ...

Guests arriving ...

A colorful party ...

The man himself ... Mr. Clarence Jones ... 100 years old on 08-08-08

With a little help blowing out the candles ...

The final exclamation ...

Orton's Past, Present ...

and Future ...

Orton Plantation Gardens are open seven days a week March-November.

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A short drive reaps big rewards......NC Getaways

Two small towns, "both alike in dignity," In fair Carolina, "where we lay our scene..."

Highway 211 begins where the Piedmont meets the "Sandhills" as it intersects Highway 220 in Candor. It ends quite abruptly in Southport, NC at the mouth of the Cape Fear River as it greets the Atlantic. As two small North Carolina towns experiencing huge growth and growing pains, both are top retirement destinations for "snow birds." Their size and demographics are remarkably similar. If you take Highway 211 from here in Southport, 130 miles up the road, a quick jaunt on Highway 5 will bring you into the Village of Pinehurst, to a land of golf and its fabled Pinehurst #2, towering pines, top-notch equestrian facilities, fine dining, and legendary Southern Charm.

I had the opportunity on Sunday to get a taste the best of local food offerings in the Pinehurst-Southern Pines region. The Chamber of Commerce held its 1^st annual Culinary Showcase at the Fair Barn. This fundraiser gave 16 local chefs from the areas' finest restaurants show off their talents. One of these chefs just happens to be my future son-in-law, and the new Head Chef at the recently renovated and reopened "One Fifty West" at The Jefferson Inn in Southern Pines. I had a chance to get a quick peek at The Jefferson while I was in town. The rich, deep colors, along with indigenous heart pine trim work, were truly stunning. I'm hoping to return for a Fall getaway while the outdoor bar and courtyard are still open.

Meanwhile, back at the Fair Barn, we dug right in and had more than our fill, sampling the many delectable offerings in three categories, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. My boy Chris, a young talented chef, with a keen sense of culinary adventure, entered two dishes. First, was a rum shrimp flambé over lump crab meat and coconut risotto. His second entry, a dessert, was an eye-popping and groan-inspiring "Roasted Pumpkin Napoleon."

The first annual event, deemed an immediate success, secured its future. Four hundred tickets were sold at $50 a piece and all participants lazily departed with that well-worn feeling of just the right amount of food, wine, and song. I have a feeling we'll be back next year.

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