The Pirates Are Coming!!!

The Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum of History on Bald Head Island are staging a weekend day pirate extravaganza event in conjunction with National Lighthouse Day. Read more

Descendent Buys Orton!

A direct descendent of Roger Moore, who built the original Orton Plantation home in 1725 is the new owner of the antebellum plantation house and the gardens!

Louis Moore Bacon, who now resides in London but was born in Raleigh, has purchased almost the entire 5,000-acre property – including the historic plantation house and its famous gardens – from the Laurence Sprunt family who have owned the Brunswick County landmark since 1884.

The Plantation and Gardens will close indefinitely on May 31st while plans for the future and other renovations are made. Hurry to see this incredible place while this years gardens are still available to you!

Current Orton manager David Sprunt, will retain that position, said the family has kept the land around the plantation’s pond.

He said he’s excited about the plans for the plantation, but it is hard for the property leave his family’s ownership after all of these years.

A press release states that Bacon is directly descended from Roger Moore, who built the original Orton residence in 1725. Bacon’s mother’s family has strong ties to nearby Wilmington.

Many are relieved to hear that Mr. Bacon has a reputation for buying historic properties such as Orton Plantation and keeping them in their natural state. Also the N.C. Coastal Land Trust holds conservation easements covering much of the Orton property. The executive director of the Land Trust states that Bacon is noted as a conservationist and a supporter of numerous environmental organizations.

Forbes magazine notes Bacon, age 53, is a native of North Carolina who manages several hedge funds and now resides in London, and the London Sunday Times notes that that he is the richest hedge fund manager in Britain having a nearly $1.7 billion fortune.

Orton Plantation, which recently opened for the 2010 season, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the gardens. Extensive renovations were made in the gardens to open up panoramic views to the Cape Fear River, remove competing vegetation, redesign and enhance the flower beds and restore and preserve the colonial rice fields.

Among the predominant species in the garden are live oaks, camellias, azaleas, flowering fruit trees, daphne, hydrangeas, crape myrtles, dogwoods, and colorful spring and summer annuals. Lawns and water gardens lend variety to the lush vegetation.

Plan to come spend a day at Orton Plantation! The gardens are in their glory right now! 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.

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.

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 Old Baldy Foundation

Old Baldy was listed on National Register of Historic Places in 1975. In 1985 a group of dedicated individuals founded the Old Baldy Foundation, a public not-for-profit 501-c3 organization dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of Old Baldy Lighthouse. The Old Baldy Foundation is governed by a nine member board of directors and managed by an executive director. The lighthouse and property on which Old Baldy stands and the current Smith Island Museum were deeded over to the Old Baldy Foundation by the Mitchell Family in 1987.

For years visitors to Old Baldy could climb literally “at their own risk”. In 1991 the Old Baldy Foundation launched a campaign, “Steps to the Top”, to repair the steps to the top of the lighthouse. Between 1991 and 1995 Old Baldy Foundation raised over $125,000 for renovation efforts.

In 1997 plans were developed to recreate one of the three keepers’ cottages that stood on the site. The Old Baldy Foundation undertook a loan to finance the building of this one and a half story building. It now holds a small gift shop, museum exhibits and office space for staff. In 2000, upon opening this museum and gift shop the Old Baldy Foundation started to charge a $3/person fee to see the museum and climb Old Baldy. Over the past eight years those fees, and the proceeds from the gift shop, have been set aside for maintenance and long term preservation work.

Visit the http://www.oldbaldy.org site

Surfing on Bald Head Island

This Summer discover surfing in an ocean all to yourself with surf lessons from Riverside Adventure Company. Learn the secrets that make surfing easy with personalized, private instruction from a seasoned pro. Its a great experience for kids and adults. Prices include board rental. Kids 11 year olds and younger need to set up private lessons.

Group lessons  for kids and adults 12 years and older are also available – more than three people in group lesson additional instructor will be present. Groups of two or more people need to book a  group lesson at least one day in advance. *

For more info: http://www.riversideadventure.com

FREE SUMMER GOLF!

The best golf value at the coast, is at The Winds Resort Beach Club!

With rates that include a full hot Southern Breakfast Buffet each day there is no better golf value around!

We’re talking free green fees for all Winds’ guests on a selection of top area courses FREE. All you pay in, addition to your regular lodging rates, is carts and tax.

FREE SUMMER GOLF – 6/01/2010 to 8/31/2010

Courses include: Briarwood, Carolina Shores, Meadowlands, Farmstead, Palmetto Greens, Eagles Nest (after p.m.), Carolina National (after p.m.), Sea Trail’s Willard Byrd (after p.m.), Sea Trail’s Maples Course (after p.m.) Valley at Eastport (after p.m.), The Pearl (after p.m.)

Sign up on our Home Page to receive all the latest golf news and specials updates!

“Its All About Golf At The Winds!”

The Winds Resort Beach Club offers golfers a choice of oceanfront suites overlooking palm trees, subtropical gardens and our breathtaking powder-sand island beach or, for groups, our spacious 4, 5 and 6 bedroom Resort Cottages.

All packages include a Hot Southern Breakfast Buffet and use of all of The Winds Amenities: Three Pools (one indoor), Garden Bar Restaurant and poolside oceanfront Tiki-Bar

The Winds’ deserves its reputation for being “a golfer’s paradise”, boasting nearly 20 of the “Grand Strand’s” best courses within 8 miles, and close to 100 courses within 30 minutes drive. Golfers love our FREE Summer Golf Program!

Sea Trail 3 Night/3 Round Pkg.

Three Night/Three Round All Inclusive Package From $201: Read more

Spend An Unforgettable Day!

Come to the beach and take in some history at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Historic Site and Orton Plantation. Read more

$99 Take A Break!

Featured Area Property

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. Read more

Home Sales Up 65% Nov. 09/08!

According to the latest information published by the North Carolina Association of Realtors (NCAR), existing home sales in Brunswick County increased in November 2009 compared to the previous month and the previous year.
Realtors in Brunswick County sold 181 units in November of 2009, up 65 percent from 110 units in November 2008. That also represents a 3 percent increase over October 2009, when 176 houses were sold.
The average cost of a house also increased between November 2008 and 2009, from $232,147 to $248,291.
According to local Realtor and Accredited Buyers Representative of the National Association of Realtors Martha Pope of Pope Real Estate Company, the end of 2009 was a busy season for the company. January has been very active.
“This first quarter of 2010 looks to be the best in a long time,” Pope said. “This is the time of year when people start looking for second homes.”
“Values are down because of the economy, but everything is showing,” she said. “We feel this is a great opportunity for buyers.”
Pope said that the southern end of Brunswick County does not have as many foreclosures as some people expected, but buyers are actively looking for those deals.
Most of her customers are people looking to relocate to Brunswick County, many of them are waiting for their houses in their home areas to sell before they can buy one here.

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