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

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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I couldn't help but share my amazement when I read about about the lucky local fishermen who landed a prize-winning blue marlin, worth 386,750 in the early going of The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. No, my comma is in the right place. That is the prize for bringing in the first marlin over 500 lbs.For those of you unfamiliar with the "big booty" world of South East coast fishing, this is SERIOUS BUSINESS. And Tuna Trappe III still has 3 more days add to its catch. Right now with aggregate and daily prizes, the Wrightsville Beach Captain and his crew are on their way to winning a half million dollars. In its 50th year, "The Big Rock," based in Morehead City, continues through Saturday, as all 176 boats have the option to fish any 4 days of the 6 day tournament. Now keep in mind that the "a la carte" entree fees range anywhere from $2500 to $17500. And the gas... you don't want to know. High stakes make the rewards great and keep a lot of the same boats coming back year after year. The largest number are from North Carolina but they come from all over. They come to fish the the fertile expanse of blue water that encompasses three North Carolina capes..... from Cape Hatteras, the furthest north, to Cape Lookout in the middle, and finally Bald Head Island's Cape Fear to the South.

With no chance of getting much of a breather, these boys will be back in their fighting chairs in just a couple weeks. And they won't even have to leave home to participate! Yet another big marlin contest on the circuit, the Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament brings 35 years of tradition to Wrightsville Beach on June 26th-29th. It's a smaller, more intimate gathering of sports fishermen, usually around 50 boats averaging in size anywhere from 35' Bertram to a whopping 68' Hatteras.

While all the big tournaments have a light seasoning of lady anglers, the sport remains a venerable "boys club" evoking all the "boys and their toys" asides you could come up with. But this is an activity for that's not for sissies. It attracts a small group "manly men" who seek the dangers, thrills, and fortunes of life on the high seas.

And for those who, like myself, prefer to fish in shallower, calmer waters, early summer is a great time to get out in the surf, on the piers, in the creeks and tidal flats that abound in and around Southport and Brunswick County's beaches. Bluefish, trout, kings, spanish, flounder, and my favorite the pompano are hitting hard in good numbers. I had to laugh as I was looking at a fishing report for Holden Beach and Ocean Isle. I have to show this photo of a black drum caught by an Oak Islander in the Lockwood Folly River. The few of you that read my posts know that I wrote at length in a blog last fall about my first introduction to a black drum. Never will I misidentify one again! photos courtesy of fishermanspost

Southport's tourist activities haven't slowed a bit that I can tell. It seems that all families vacationing at the beach take a day off from sand and sun to spend the day in Southport....with tons of unique shops, good food, carriage rides, walking tours, art galleries, and more, you'll see right away what all the fuss is about. The "Home-grown/Home-made" Farmer's market has started back on Wednesdays on the Waterfront at the Garrison. With various local musicians performing every week, and the Cape Fear River as its backdrop, the market has taken on a festival-like event with a great following. Friday night brings "Jaws" to the same waterside location, with Southport's unique movie night reminiscent of the drive-ins of our youth....except you don't drive in....you walk in. Bring chairs or a blanket and I promise you will love the experience.

Summertime.......

and

the

livin'

is

easy..............

Enjoy!

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