Saturday, April 26, 2014

Day Trip Three - Battleship North Carolina

Daytrip Three: North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington, NC

Whether you are a lover of history, ships, firepower, or rare tours The USS Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, NC is a must see! An easy drive up Highway 17 to 421, the grand ship is a breathtaking sight that holds so many memories of those who were aboard. The guided tours help bring those memories to life

The Battleship was launched June 14th 1940 and commissioned April 19th 1941. It was not long before she was put to the test and she and her crew saw battle in WWII. Surviving a torpedo attack during World War II this Battleship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars. “In the Battle of the Eastern Solomon’s in August of 1942, the Battleship’s anti aircraft barrage helped save the carrier Enterprise, thereby establishing the primary role of the fast battleship as protector of aircraft carriers”. On your visit you will hear more tales like this and that of the SOS campaign to save the ship from becoming scrap metal in NJ and returning to its rightful place here in North Carolina.

This tour is a definite “thing to do” while visiting us here at The Sunset Inn and once you step board the magnificent vessel it will be a day you will not forget. For more information about tours you can visit www.battleshipnc.com. Below is a list of events coming up in the next few weeks & months:

Design & Damage Control
May 18, 2013
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
$55 per person. $50 for Friends members or active military.


As the first of the 10 fast battleships which served in WWII, NORTH CAROLINA paved the way for those battleships that followed. In this four-hour program, participants will explore the ship and engage with experts on ship design. Topics include surviving a torpedo strike, fires, and loss of power; thwarting magnetism and unwanted waters from flooding; from shoring and shifting fuel oil to triage of casualties and effective communication. An interesting and insightful afternoon awaits inquiring minds.


The tour is limited to ages 16 and older and limited to 48 participants. It is not appropriate for those who have difficulty climbing narrow ladders or over knee-high hatches. Wear warm, comfortable, washable clothing, sturdy, rubber-soled shoes and bring a camera! Water and light snack provided. Registration and payment are due by Thursday, May 16. Program is $50/$45 for Friends of the Battleship or active military. Call 910-251-5797 for reservations.

8th Annual Memorial Day Observance
May 27, 2013
Time: 5:45 pm
FREE


On Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, at 5:45 pm, people of all generations from across the State will gather together on the deck of the Battleship to pay their respects. An emotional ceremony, preceding and concluding with military musical arrangements provided by an Armed Forces Band, and a 21-gun salute, the Executive Director of the Battleship, Captain Terry A. Bragg and members of the USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Commission invite the public to this free event.

17th Annual Battleship Blast


July 4, 2013
Time: 9:05 pm
Noted as Coastal Living's 10 Spots to Celebrate the Fourth and recent recipient of Southeast Tourism Society's award of Top 20 things to due in July, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA will present the 2013 17th Annual Battleship Blast Fireworks.
The celebration will not disappoint and at 9:05pm the Battleship fireworks spectacular will begin. You don’t want to miss this year as the fireworks display will light up the skies of Wilmington.
Best view of amazing pyro technics is from downtown Wilmington as the entire Battleship complex on Eagles Island will be closed at 6:00pm and all vehicles will be required to leave by 6:30pm. Therefore, come early and visit the equally impressive Battleship North Carolina before the activities in the evening.


Battleship Alive!
September 28, 2013
Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Free with Battleship admission


Watch and interact with World War II living history interpreters as they bring the Ship to life by re-enacting daily duties and drills. Free with regular Battleship admission. Please call 910-251-5797 for more information.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Day Trip Two - Bald Head Island

Once on Bald Head Island you can head to the beach, visit the unique stores & art galleries, kayak through the inlets, and/or take in a round of golf at The Club. However, don’t miss the must see landmark, the Old Baldy Lighthouse. The oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, Old Baldy is a grand stone work of art that can be toured for only $5.00 along with the small museum beside it. If you are not afraid of heights then climbing the spiral staircase to the very top is a must. The view is like no other.

So while staying with us here at The Sunset Inn make sure to set aside some time to visit Bald Head Island. Here are some upcoming events on Bald Head Island to entice you even more:

Saturday, May 11, 2013 Wine & Cheese Gala

Wine and Cheese Gala will take place on May 11th aboard "Patriot". The boat will depart at 5PM from the Bald Head Ferry Terminal. The entertainment will be provided by the New Century Saxophone Quartet and the tickets are $50.00 per person. If you wish to purchase by mail, send you Name, address and check to Friends of Music Society PO BOX 569 Fulton, MD 20759 and the tickets will be promptly mailed to you.

Friday, May 24, 2013 Middle Island Ibis Sanctuary

BHI Conservancy 9am-10:30am Middle Island/Ibis Sanctuary Hike Meet at the Barrier Island Study Center. visiting the Ibis Lake Sanctuary, a protected area of land that is private and only accessible with Conservancy staff. Reservations required. To register, please visit www.bhic.org or call (910) 457-0089 Personal golf cart transportation is required. $15 per person for BHI Conservancy Members $20 per person for non-members.

Saturday, May 25, 2013 Island Wide Open Houses

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Island-Wide Open Houses Bald Head Island Limited Real Estate Sales presents a variety of homes to introduce you to the many real estate opportunities on the island. Pick up a flyer at the sales office located at 4 Marina Wynd near the ferry landing. 910-457-7400.

Monday, May 27, 2013 Birding BHI

BHI Conservancy 8:30am – 10:30am Birding BHI Barrier Island Study Center. During the summer we are home to a large nesting population of the beautiful painted bunting. The island is also home to hundreds of egrets, herons and ibis as well as dozens of other species. To register, please visit www.bhic.org or call (910) 457-0089. Cost: $15 per person for BHI Conservancy Members, Free for BHI Conservancy Lifetime Level Members, $20 per person for non-members.

Sunday, June 16, 2013 Father’s Day Cookout

Sunday, June 16: 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Father’s Day Cookout The Bald Head Island Club Grille Terrace & Palms Terrace $18.95 plus tax and service charge for adults $11.95 plus tax and service charge for children 12 years and under. Please call 910.457.7300 to make a reservation

Friday, August 02, 2013 Pirate Weekend

Treasure Hunt Starts @ 3 pm Island Wide Game 24 hours to play –only $25 per golf cart! Pirate Booty Auction @ 4:30 pm Tent Pavilion Silent Auction Begins An 1817 coin? Cocktails in Old Baldy? Hawaiian Quilt (handmade by Old Baldy Quilters) & more treasures! Pirate Block Party NO ADMISSION CHARGE! Beer & Wine Truck opens at 4:30pm BBQ, Cash Bar, Live Music with Rusty Cutlass. Party with the Pirates at Tent Pavilion! Pirate Invasion @ 5:30 pm FREE on the Marina Captain Horatio Sinbad Arrives on the Meka II BUY TICKETS www.oldbaldy.org Or 910.457.7481

Pirate Weekend

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Kids Schools Sign up for Scalawag or Pirate Artist $20 child Pirate & Pancakes Bald Head Island Club 10:30 am Feasting and songs with Rusty Cutlass! Buy tickets today—it fills fast! Duck Race 2 pm $500 First Prize Adopt a duck for $10 each or 11 ducks for $100 Pirate Ghost Walk @ 7:30 & 8:30 pm By Old Baldy $25 adult/$15 child BUY TICKETS www.oldbaldy.org Or 910.457.7481

Pirate Weekend

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Pirate Parade 11:30 am Over the Bridge! Don’t forget to decorate the golf cart & wear a pirate costume! Pirate Costume Contest @ Tent Pavilion Immediately after parade..must be in parade to enter. Pirate Festival NO ADMISSION CHARGE! Noon to 5 pm Pirate Encampment, Sword Fights and Black Powder Guns, Rusty Cutlass Music, Magic Shows, Crafts, Games & more! Yum...Beer & Burgers & Brats @ Grub Ship! Creativity Challenge @ Bald Head Association Friday thru Sunday Cool works of art created by friends and neighbors! Silent auction bids end on Sunday at 4 pm. A great way to pick up one of a kind gifts! All proceeds from Pirates Are Coming support Old Baldy! BUY TICKETS www.oldbaldy.org Or 910.457.7481

So if you enjoyed your first day trip to Southport, NC then why not venture just a little farther and explore Bald Head Island. You can catch the ferry from Southport and 20 minutes later you will be transported to an island paradise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, marsh inlets and lush greenery shading the pathways.
This island is special in that you can only explore it by renting bikes, a golf cart, or by walking. Leaving your cars behind when boarding the ferry, Bald Head Island reminds you to slow down, relax, and unwind while enjoying all the island has to offer.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

May festivals & events (2)

May is full of fun events and festivals! Let The Sunset Inn be your home base so you can soak up some sun at beautiful Sunset Beach and then spend some time enjoying these local festivities:


May 10 - October 11, 2013 - 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
2nd Friday Art Workshop
a different workshop is held each month (Jan—Oct). Details are available at www.oakislandartguild.org. Scheduled so far May 10: Jane Staszak, painting. June 14: Ortrud Tyler, abstract painting. July 12: Vangie Peterson, reed basketry.August 9: Joyce Grazetti/Pat Carney, fish prints.
Oak Island Recreation Center 3003 E. Oak Island Drive,Oak Island, NC 28465
Contact: Jo Ann Staat
joannstaat@gmail.com

May 11th 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Mayfest on Main
This festival will take place on Main Street In North Myrtle Beach, SC. It includes live music from Grammy nominated John Waite & also The Little River Band! There will be food and craft vendors and street entertainers. You might want to bring a beach chair to enjoy all the entertainment. Best news is the admission is free! Visit http://parks.nmb.us for more information.


May 11, 2013
Boiling Spring Lakes Community Fun Day
Games, blow ups, vendors, food, entertainment, and fun.
Boiling Spring Lakes City Hall- Corner of Hwy. 87 & Boiling Spring Road, Boiling Spring Lakes & BSL First Baptist Church.
Contact: Mary Stilwell
910/845-2762
Admission/Fees: Free


May 18th & May 19th 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Little River Blue Crab Festival
This 32nd annual festival is a big hit with locals and tourists. They will have live music, food, craft, & art vendors and of course places to buy blue crabs. Hosted on the waterfront in Little River, SC.


May 19th 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Oak Island Beautification Plant Sale & Garden tour
Plant sale & Home tours start at the retired Oak Island Greenhouse located on Oak Island Drive and 56th Street SE under the watertower. Great way to tour lush gardens and get a few new ideas for your own. Tour fee is $10.00. Contact Lynne Kracht at 910-221-8738 for more information.
For more May events in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas visit our web-site at www.thesunsetinn.net/blog

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Day Trip One: Southport

Whether you are a first time visitor to The Sunset Inn or you have been calling the Inn a home away from home for years we thought we might tell you about a few exciting places to visit while staying with us. The first in this series is the charming fishing village of Southport.

Southport is an easy drive from the Inn by just hopping on Highway 17 to Highway 211 and you are there. Once you arrive you will see historic store fronts that house antique shops, old book stores, art galleries, and craft shops. While strolling through town there are great places to stop for a bite to eat, The Pharmacy is a local favorite. From there the scenic waterfront park beckons with glistening blue water and park benches to sit and watch the sail boats drift by. Why not enjoy an ice cream cone or sundae while relaxing, those shops are close by too.

While visiting this quaint picturesque town you might start noticing some familiar spots. How could a place you have never been to seem so familiar? Perhaps it is because Southport has been captured on film more than once. Author Nicholas Sparks, known for novels like The Notebook, Dear John, & The Last Song, also took to the area and the town has been featured in two of his adapted films. "A Walk To Remember" starring Mandy Moore and the recently released "Safe Haven" starring Julianne Hough & Josh Duhamel. Author Lois Duncan's novel "I Know What You Did Last Summer" also put Southport on the map in movies in 1997. These movies have created such a stir that tours are now being offered to take you around to experience the sights, sounds, and charm that graced the screen along with a history of the area. Tours start May 17th. To book a tour visit www.oldsouthtourcompany.com.

Southport also hosts numerous festivals & events over the year. Here are just a few:

May 1 - September 25, 2013 - 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Southport Waterfront Market
The Southport Waterfront Market is held every Wednesday morning from 8am until 1pm, May 1st (first Wednesday in May) through September 25th (last Wednesday in September). The location on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn overlooking the Cape Fear River is a treat in itself. You can browse the beautiful local produce, baked goods and handcrafted items spread under ancient live oak trees. There is a breeze off the river as well as music in the air as entertainment is always available.
Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn Bay Street, Southport, NC
Contact: Marion Martin & Dottie Nixa
P.O.Box 10127 Southport, NC 28461
910/279-4616 & 910/620-2308
Admission/Fees: Free
Organized & Sponsored by Downtown Southport Inc.

July 1, 2013 - 9:00 AM
N.C. 4th of July Festival Beach Day
In conjunction with the NC 4th of July festival, Oak Island Parks and Recreation invites you and your family to the annual Beach Day on July 1, 2013. Beginning at 9am with the horseshoe tournament, there will be live entertainment, dozens of family contest and inflatable rides at Middleton Park. There will also be a corn hole, bocce’, sand castle, and volleyball contest on the beach in front of the cabana. A skate boarding contest continues the fun at the skate park. The fun continues with a live beach band and shag contest at Middleton Park and ends at dusk with the annual Beach Day fireworks.
Middleton Park Extension (46th Street, SE and Beachfront Cabana Area.
Contact: Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department
910/278-5518
Admission/Fees: Free
Organized and Sponsored by Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department. Beach Concert & Shag Contest Sponsored by N.C. 4th of July Festival.

July 2 - 4, 2013
N.C. 4th of July Festival
Arts, crafts, parade, 5K run, food, entertainment, children's games, naturalization ceremony and more. See "Events & Activities" page for more information and link to the preliminary schedule. Check out the festival's new website www.nc4thofjuly.com
Downtown Southport.
Contact: Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
4433 Long Beach Road, SE Southport, NC 28461
910-457-5578
Admission/Fees: Most events are free.
June 29th - Freedom Run. July 1 - Beach Day July 2,4 & 4 events will be in downtown Southport.

August 2 - 4, 2013
"The Pirates Are Coming" Festival Weekend
Be here as pirates arrive by tall ship and take over the island for several days of unbridled revelry including a pyrate pub, gun powder demonstrations and sword fighting, music, grub ships, duck race, pirate pancake breakfast, water games, crafts and an island-wide treasure hunt with proceeds benefiting the Old Baldy Foundation. A weekend of pirates, history and fun. Details can be found at www.oldbaldy.org
Bald Head Island
Contact: Old Baldy Foundation
910/457-7481

For more information on Southport and the town's events visit: www.southport-oakisland.com and click on Calendar of Events

Check back soon for our next blog: Day Trip Two: Bald Head Island and visit www.thesunsetinn.net to get more information about our area, see pictures of our rooms, and book on-line. If you would like more information don't hesitate to call us toll free at 1-888-575-1001. We hope to see you soon.