National Night Out - August 7th Jacksonville North Carolina 2012

Tryon Palace Wine on the Waterfront

NEW BERN — Tryon Palace presents Wine on the Waterfront June 29 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. as a benefit for Tryon Palace. Sip your favorite wines overlooking the 

Trent River at the North Carolina History Center with live music by Refried Beans. Tickets are $15 for Council of Friends members (Tickets & memberships available at the North Carolina History Center) and $20 General Admission & Day of event. Tickets available: North Carolina History Center; Mitchell Hardware; Village Butcher; Havelock Tourist & Event Center. Main entry to Tryon Palace is North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace, 529 S. Front St., New Bern. Tickets and visitor information are available there. For directions and further information visit tryonpalace.org or call 800-767-1560 or 252-639-3500.

Historic Sites: The Bellamy Mansion

The Bellamy Mansion is one of North Carolina's most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture 

built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss (1821-1907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now the house is a museum that focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.

Visit Histortic Fort Anderson

Fort Anderson

After decades of calm, the site once again entered the forefront of history in a national storm, the Civil War. In 1861 the Confederate States of America decided to build a large fort at the site as part of the river defense of Wilmington. The Cape Fear was an essential route for supplies moving by rail from Wilmington to Petersburg and Richmond for General Lee's army.
The Confederate army used manual labor to construct the large sand fortification originally called Fort St. Philip's. There were two batteries, each with five cannons overlooking the shipping channel and providing protection to blockade runners.
In February 1865, following the fall of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the river, Union forces repositioned to attack Fort Anderson. Federals attacked from the land and river. After three days of fighting, the Confederates evacuated the fort at night. Union gunboats started firing at first light, unaware Federal soldiers were breaching the walls of the fort. The infantry frantically waved sheets and blankets to stop the deadly fire from their own forces. There was a one-day fight north of the site at Town Creek before the Federals occupied Wilmington on George Washington's birthday, February 22, 1865.

The Site Today

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, archaeologists uncovered foundations from Brunswick's earliest days. The most visible structure is the hulk of St. Philip's Anglican Church with its surviving walls dating back to 1754. Another interesting foundation is Russellborough, an old sea captain's house that was used by royal governors Tryon and Dobbs.
The visitor center houses several displays that cover the time periods of both the old town and the fort. In the lobby is a colorful mural created by Claude Howell and Catherine Hendricksen depicting a scene from a Spanish attack on the town in 1748. A cannon on display was recovered from the river in 1986 and is believed to be from the Spanish ship Fortuna, which blew up in the river as the townspeople regained control of the port.
The remains of homes, businesses, and other buildings bear witness to the story of Brunswick. Along with artifacts from the Civil War and the imposing mounds of Fort Anderson, this site offers a unique look at two fascinating periods of American history.

Arlie Gardens

Life today moves at a fast pace, sometimes too fast to enjoy the old fashioned pleasures of nature. At Airlie Gardens, those simple pleasures can again be yours. Take time to admire azaleas, camellias, stand in the shade of our 467 year old Airlie Oak, or simple sit quietly watching a butterfly float by. Celebrating more than a century of gardens by the sea, our history dates back to 1886. Join us then in a self-guided walking tour of these 67-acres of historical gardens of mighty live oaks, tall pines and lakes which are abundant with colorful wildlife. Airlie Gardens, where history, art and nature come together to create a destination spot for garden lovers throughout the world.

For anyone who knows American folk art, Airlie Gardens means something more; it was the inspiration for the vibrant, colorful, and intricate paintings of Minnie Evans.
Evans came to Wilmington with her mother in 1893, when she was a year old. Her mother remarried a man who was employed by Pembroke Jones, a wealthy industrialist, and by the age of 17 Minnie found work as a domestic in the Jones household. Jones’ wife, Sarah Green Jones, was the one who established Airlie Gardens. From 1948 to 1974 Minnie was the gatekeeper at Airlie, collecting admissions and selling her artwork. She painted her delicate and fantastical scenes as a result of a divine vision when in a dream god told she must paint or die. Her art works depict angel and ornately adorned figures but the art work clearly evokes the lushness and greenery of the garden setting that she saw every day. She once said, “God has some 600 shades of green, and He dressed the world with them.” To her the natural surroundings were a divine revelation, as one can readily see in her painting displayed in the Fenimore Art Museum collection dedicated to Minnie and or at special showings at the Cameron Museum of Art in Wilmington.
Minnie sold her artwork at Airlie, and had her first “exhibitions” there, spreading her paintings on the lawn at the gates entrance offering many for only fifty cents or a dollar. She died in 1987, but her work is so connected with the site that local artists created a memorial sculpture garden within Airlie in her honor. Bottle Chapel, sculptures and its garden were constructed in 2004 and has become a central feature to the gardens, popular with many visitors.

Business Networking With Artists And Crafters

Beginning at 6:30pm light refreshments are served and an opportunity to network with other artisans. 

The Featured Artist of the Month has the spotlight while we learn the lessons they experienced and have the opportunity to ask questions. Event listings and opportunities to promote your creative talents are available to everyone in attendance. The monthly newsletter’s cover spotlights the Featured Artist and the contents directly relates to artists and crafters. Guest speakers provide insight and guidance to artisans as they grow their craft which adds growth to their business. The Coastal Carolina Artists & Crafters Guild is made up individuals that love to create: hobbyists to shop owners. We encourage one another to grow. Join us on the last Tuesday of every month

Riverfest - Jacksonville NC

Friday, June 29th ~ 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 30th ~ 11:00 a.m. ~ 10:30 p.m.

An Independence Celebration held along the Waccamaw River in downtown Conway. This popular festival features many live entertainment acts, an artisan market, raft race, activities and games for all ages, food, fireworks and much, much, more!For more information call the Conway Chamber of Commerce at (843) 248-2273 or visit http://conwayscchamber.com/riverfest/

On Shore Surf Lessons

Onslow County Parks and Recreation and On Shore Surf Shop will be offering Paddleboard and Surf Lessons for Beginners and Intermediates. 

 Surf Lessons begin June 2, 2012 lessons will be scheduled on Thursdays and Saturdays. Paddleboard lessons will be offered on Monday and Wednesdays 9:30 – Noon, $60.00 per lesson. Paddleboard limited 4 per session Surf limited to 6 per session …lessons will be held at Beach Access #2, 2950 Island Drive, North Topsail Beach. Certified Instructors Ages 7 – 70. Pre-register Call: 347-5332 or visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks.

The Southwest Strawberry Farm

If your looking for fresh produce or something to do to pass time with the kids some of the best strawberries can be found at the Southwest Strawberry Farm in Jacksonville North Carolina.

I remember picking strawberries on a field trip in kindergarden to make jam for mothers day at the Southwest Strawberry Farm; still today I go there with friends and members of my family and pick fresh strawberries and have a great time as well as watch all of the families and kids that are there having a blast as well.

Southwest Strawberry Farm is open and ready for picking! We invite you and your family to come and pick from our acres of freshly bloomed strawberries. This looks like our best bunch ever. The weather is perfect in early Spring for comfortable picking. Call 910 347 0026 to contact the farm with questions about hours of operation or to schedule a field trip for your organization. We are located off Highway 53 at 2053 Pony Farm Road in Jacksonville, NC 28540.

Lynnwood Park Zoo

Lynnwood Park Zoo

Lynnwood Park Zoo is built on a 10 acre parcel and has a 1/2 acre pond next to the picnic area. The zoo was established in 1990.  We have been the only animal exhibiting facility in Onslow County and the Camp Lejeune area.The zoo displays over 80 animal exhibits, with many different species ranging from reptiles, birds, mammals, and many, many more.  Following are some of the exhibits:

MAMMALS:
Zebra, Wallaby, Ocelot, Grey Fox, Antelope, Coatimundis, Mara, Pigmy Goats, Donkey, Scottish Highland Cows, Llama, Potbellied Pig, Serval cat, Arctic Fox, Barbary Sheep, Four Hourned Sheep, Capybara, Mara, Skunk, Red Fox, Welsh Mountain Sheep, and more....
 
REPTILES:
American Alligator, Burmese Python, Corn Snake, King Snake, Rat Snake, Eastern Box Turtle, Savannah Monitor, Blue Tongued Skink, and more....
 
BIRDS:
Barn Owl, Emu, Canada Goose, Turkey, Red Golden Pheasant, Polish Chicken, Silver Pheasant, Black Shoulder Peafowl, Mallard Duck, and more....

More information can be obtained by visiting the Official Website.