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Ocean Isle Renourishment !

The Corps of Engineers has just completed the Ocean Isle Beach beach renourishment project which also included the dredging of Shallotte Inlet aiding navigation.

More than 500,000 cubic yards of sand was placed on the Ocean Isle Beach strand during May 2010.

The project removed sand from a sand bar in the Shallotte River Inlet (near the waterway between Ocean Isle and Holden Beach) and moved the sand to the east end of the beach.

Also the widened beach at the east end will offer additional recreational benefits such as sunbathing, fishing and shelling, also the extra sand will create extra nesting habitat for sea turtles.

It was important that the project be completed by May 21st in order to not interfere with loggerhead turtles’ nesting season.

Mayor Debbie Smith said it is the largest project of the year.

The renourishment project, which is in conjunction with Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beaches, bought 509,200 cubic yards of sand to the beach, according to the town’s Web site. The sand was placed as far east as Shallotte Boulevard and as far west as Concord Street.
“This goes the furthest west than any renourishment has gone since original construction in 2001,” Smith said.

Ocean Isle Beach has contracted with the Corps of Engineers in a 50-year, $150 million contract for beach renourishment.

Holden Beach Renourishment!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has just finished a beach renourishment project on Holden Beach NC that also includes dredging aiding navigation.

The $800,000 project removed sand from the last sand bar in the Lockwood Folly Inlet (near the waterway) and moved the sand to the east end of the beach.

Officially titled the Lockwood Folly Inlet Crossing Navigation Maintenance, the project put sand starting in front of the last house on the east end all the way to in front of the clubhouse at Winding River’s which is also on the oceanfront.

The project which put 172,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach runs 9/10ths of a mile long and is 150 feet wide.

Town manager David Hewett said that Congressman Mike McIntyre worked to make sure the Corps’ project was fully funded without any cost to Holden Beach.
The benefits of the adding sand to the shoreline include beach-compatible sand keeping the cost of the project down because it doesn’t have to be transported from a distant source, the additional sand will provide protection from storm-damage to homes at the east end of the island, some of that sand is expected to drift down providing extra protection for beach houses elsewhere on the beach.

Also the widened beach at the east end will offer additional recreational benefits such as sunbathing, fishing and shelling, also the extra sand will create extra nesting habitat for sea turtles.

It was important that the project be completed by May 1 in order to not interfere with the nesting season of the loggerhead turtles.

Holden & Sunset In Our State!

Local Holden Beach fisherman Tony DiFranco is front and center on the cover May issue of Our State Magazine. The May issue is traditionally their “Coastal Issue”. Editor Elizabeth Hudson and Art Director Deanne O’Connor note that  “The May Coastal Issue provides great cover opportunities to showcase the beauty and richness of our North Carolina beaches.”

“We loved how one shot, above all others, stood out. Photographer Geoff Wood captured the image of fisherman Tony DiFranco just as the early morning light illuminated his kind face. As viewers, we are drawn in to the scene and story — here, we are more than mere spectators but participants in the scene. It’s easy to feel a connection to this fisherman, and we feel as if we are standing right there with him on the Holden Beach pier, listening to the click of his reel, smelling the salt in the air.”

A great cover photograph should capture the character and personality of a place, and the fisherman cover reveals the essence of a favorite visit to the North Carolina coast.

Other coastal stories in the issue reflect the wistful nostalgia of memory — including a look back at the little Sunset Beach Bridge (at nearby Sunset Beach NC) to the fond recollections of a NC family as they spend another summer in their beach cottage.

Our State Magazine wanted a cover that reminded all of us of our past and the traditions we carry through from season to season. We think they achieved that at Holden Beach!

Resort Wins Cleanliness Award

On March 8th of this year The Winds was awarded with the coveted Platinum A Award from The Environmental Health Section of the Brunswick County Health Department.

This department is responsible for all manner of health inspections – they inspect or accommodations, restaurant, kitchens, dining area and of course our TikiBar.

When you reach the Platinum level that means that you have received the Golden A Award for five consecutive years. The Golden A Award is received when you have a 95% or above for all inspections.

The owners and management of The Winds thanks our food service and housekeeping staff for their dilegence. We are so proud of this ward and the people who won it for The Winds!

Blue Crab Festival May 15-16

The 29th Annual Blue Crab Festival, held in nearby Little River, SC has announced plans for the Festival to be held May 15-16, 2010. The Blue Crab Festival is one of the largest festivals in the southeast.

Prior to the actual festival, much additional festival publicity and excitement will be generated through the following ancillary events: Festival Queen Pageant, 5K Run, Motorcycle Poker Run and Golf Cart Raffle, and other events still under development.

This year’s festival will feature approximately 175 truly arts and crafts vendors, specialty food vendors, tremendous entertainment, and phenomenal children’s area.

Festival Activities include:
Arts & Crafts, Food, Music, Kids Area, Family Fun, Business Booths, Community Groups, 3rd Annual Beauty Pageant, 3rd Annual 5K Run (The race will start and finish along the historic Little River waterfront.), Harley Davidson BlowOut, Live music and entertainment every day!

Click here to visit their website: bluecrabfestival.org

Earth Ball Man At Ocean Isle

Roger Drowne (that’s really his last name!) has been turning heads on the intracoastal waterway in his Earth Ball, a combination of pentagons and octagons.

In this video he waves at us as he travels past Ocean Isle Beach NC on December 6, 2009.

Mr. Drowne left Wilimington NC on November 9th – he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry as he makes his way to Key West!

He used treated lumber to create the nearly self-contained habitat.

Drowne said “It’s very simple, this went together in about 5 months”

Drowne made his 11-foot tall Earth Ball for less than $600. It is a place that where he will have a lot of time to spend. He is traveling in his Earth Ball to Key West, FL and hopes to complete the trip in 45 days.

Drowne hopes to spread the message of ecology and economy during his month and a half long voyage. He believes that with his craft he can cut his impact on the environment by 90%.

“The wind generator up top gives me my 12 volt batteries – I have 2 batteries, and that’s enough for refrigeration and lights, it powers my computers, my inverter, so I have 110 power on board. It’s all here.” said Drowne.

He has all the amenities that one might find necessary for a voyage of this long distance including primitive necessities, modern conveniences and of what all homemade hexagonal wooden boat captains need on board – life jackets.

The military veteran plans to travel around the world in his Earth Ball after his trip to Key West,.

Click here to watch a video of an interview with Mr. Drowne on Wilmington’s WECT News

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