By Prudy Weaver

The Smith Island Art League of Bald Head Island will hold its annual Memorial Day weekend show and sale on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday May 27, 2012 at the Bald Head Association Center on Lighthouse Wynd (to the right of the Chapel). The show is open to the public with free admission from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. each day.

For more information, contact Peter Quinn at (910) 457-6718 or peter@pcquinnarch.com. The Art League presently has 21members with a variety of styles and mediums. Learn more about the League at www.smithislandartleague.com.

2012 Haven Magazine

We are pleased to announce that Haven magazine recently won five Hermes Creative Awards – three gold awards for writing, photography and cover design and two platinum awards for design and publication overall.

Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies. Entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, graphic design shops, production companies, web and digital creators and freelancers. Hermes Creative Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

To view the most recent issue of Haven online, click here.

Once the moon came up and the sun set, marshmallows were ceremoniously roasted before everyone headed home for the night.

Mark your calendar for the next Howl at the Moon event on June 4 from 7-9 p.m. at Beach Access 39.

Wes Lassiter returning a bulls eye panel from the lens to the Old Baldy Foundation.

By: Mary Beth Springmeier, Executive Director, Old Baldy Foundation

The Old Baldy Foundation, which operates the Smith Island Museum of History, is looking for lost pieces from its 1902 First Order Fresnel Lens from the Cape Fear Lighthouse. The foundation acquired the lens after it was removed from the demolished lighthouse and is planning to put it on display in a new exhibit building.

The 12,000-pound lens, which was on display briefly at the World’s Fair in St Louis before being installed in 1902 in the Cape Fear Lighthouse, warning ships away from the dangerous Frying Pan Shoals, is now in storage.

The Cape Fear Lens is a First Order category of Fresnel lenses, so designated for its ability to deliver a beacon light miles out to sea. It was owned for a period of time by an antiques dealer in Wilmington N.C., who sold off pieces of it over the years, as souvenirs.

The foundation plans to exhibit the lens without replicating the missing pieces, to properly tell the story of what happened to it.

But some of the pieces have been returned, and foundation officials hope others who may have parts from the historic lens might be willing to return them. “Missing prisms and lenses have been finding their way home. The stories and the people behind their return are cherished,” says Kim Gottshall, the Chair of the Fresnel Lens Committee.  “Each individual experience is a part of the fabric in the life of the Fresnel Lens, and we are determined to remember and share them for future generations.”

Some of the missing pieces are large panels, such as the one returned by Wes Lassiter. Others are small glass blocks that were removed from the lens structure and sold as paperweights.

The foundation is in the process of designing a new exhibit building for its Smith Island Museum that will feature the Cape Fear Lighthouse light. The foundation also maintains the 1817 Old Baldy lighthouse, the only Federal Oct0gon Lighthouse made of brick in the United States.  Old Baldy is also the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina.

Old Baldy and the Smith Island Museum of History on Bald Head Island are open daily to visitors. For more information on how to plan your visit, go to www.oldbaldy.org  or call 910.457.7481.

Backpack picnics bags are big at Be Our Guest.

Just in time for the summer season, the shopping selection on Bald Head Island is now bigger and better. With new shops like Be Our Guest opening, and favorites like Room Service and the Silver Peddler relocating and expanding, now is a great time for an island shopping spree.

Be Our Guest, opened by Maritime Market owners Claude and Melissa Pope, is located at 8 Maritime Way next to the market (in the Silver Peddler’s former location). This cozy shop carries home and gift items, including a good selection of glass and barware, funny and elegant cocktail napkins, candles, cheese sets, and salt and pepper shakers.

Two favorite items at Be Our Guest include the backpack picnic set, a great solution for an impromptu island picnic (just fill it up with goodies from the market next door) and Chart metalworks necklaces, which feature BHI nautical maps in a cool glass enclosure. These are made especially for Be Our Guest.

Chart nautical necklaces at Be Our Guest.

Just down the way, Room Service, located at 4 Maritime Way, carries a mix of new and vintage finds for your home as well as work from local artists and artisans, like the lamps, chandeliers and candelabras from a Raleigh-based artist. Their large selection includes everything from drawer pulls, tableware and pillows to beds, sofas and hutches. They also offer design services.

Chandeliers made by a Raleigh-based artist at Room Service.

New for spring at Room Service are Scout bags, durable polypropylene bags that are chic, fun, summery and best of all, easy to keep clean – just wipe or spray off. Room Service also now carriers work from many artists whose work formerly hung in The Woods Gallery, adding to the homey feel of the shop.

Bright, fun Scout bags at Room Service.

The Silver Peddler’s new, larger location in the former Woods Gallery space at 12A Maritime Way allows for an expanded inventory. They still carry a large array of silver jewelry, from rings to necklaces to charms, which make a great memento of your BHI vacation. They also carry striking Larimar jewelry. Larimar is a mineral found only in the Dominican Republic, with colors range from white to light blue, dark blue or blue-green. Rings, necklaces and pendants are available.

Unique Larimar jewelry at Silver Peddler.

The shop also carries a variety of pillows, bags and home goods, especially in the kitchen/tableware arena. A lot of care went into refitting the former Woods Gallery – a wall was built as was a display-only fireplace, turning the space into an elegant shop.

A wide array of home goods at the Silver Peddler.

Next time you’re on the island, be sure to stop by these new island shops.

Click to view online catalog

A new and improved issue of Neighborhoods, Bald Head Island Limited Real Estate Sales’ comprehensive digital catalog of homes and homesites for sale, is now live and available for viewing online.

The catalog showcases the island’s premier properties in all of the island’s environments—Beach, Forest, Golf Course, Harbor Village, and Marsh. New this issue, each home has a dedicated page in the brochure that showcases both the interior and exterior of each home. If you click on the description of the home, you will go to that home’s own web page, where you can view all property details and take a virtual tour.

 If you’re interested in learning more about any of the properties you see, simply call Bald Head Island Limited Real Estate Sales at 800-888-3707 or email salesinternet@bhisland.com and a sales executive can answer all of your questions or schedule a personalized real estate tour.

Soldiers and their families will visit the island as part of the Wounded Warrior Project this weekend.

This coming weekend, for the fifth year in a row, Bald Head Island will play host to five soldiers and their families as part of the Wounded Warrior Project.

This community-based event is truly cooperative, with island residents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, the village and the developer working together to welcome the families, plan the events and donate funds, accommodations, meals and a variety of recreational opportunities.

A potluck dinner will be held at the Harborside Pavilion on Friday night to welcome the families. A raffle is being held for a beautiful handmade “Stars and Stripes” afghan to benefit the Fisher House Foundation, a program the builds homes around the world on military or VA medical centers so that family members may stay close to injured service men and women. The raffle is $10 per ticket and tickets are available through the Bald Head Association or at the Bald Head Island Club.

The Wounded Warrior Project was founded on the principle that veterans are our nation’s greatest citizens and seeks to assist men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured in conflict. Visit their website for more information.

The Bald Head Association is still accepting donations. For more information on making a donation, visit the Bald Head Association’s website or call them at 910-457-4676 x 21.

By Carrie Moffett, Bald Head Association Executive Director

On Friday, April 27^th, the Bald Head Association (BHA) celebrates its 30^th anniversary. Exactly 30 years ago to the day, the former property owners’ association was dissolved and the Bald Head Association was born, defining its role in the community at the time as the one-stop shop for managing the Island’s services.

After the Village of Bald Head Island was created to assume responsibility for those services, the Association’s role transitioned into one of communication, advocacy, architectural control, Covenant and common area protection and representation of the non-resident property owners.

At the 30^th anniversary celebration, held at BHA’s Association Center, three past presidents of the Association – Dr. Thad Wester, Dr. Bob Timmons and Dick Johnston – reflected on their respective challenges and accomplishments while leading the organization.

Kit Adcock, long-time property owner and BHA Board member, announced the dedication of the Association Center’s largest meeting room as Generator Society Hall, named for the eighteen families whose pioneer spirit and undeniable hard work laid the foundation for the Island’s current social, cultural and political fabric. She also announced the naming of two meeting rooms within the Association Center in honor of two families from the Society who had a particular impact on the organization – Dr. Thad & Lee Wester and Bill & Billie Jeane Berne.

In his closing remarks, Board President Joe Hawkins asked those present for the celebration to think about their personal commitment to the Island’s destiny and to discover how they can play a meaningful part in moving Bald Head forward while maintaining that special something that makes our Island paradise so unique.

Happy Birthday, BHA!

Click to View Digital Vacation Planner

When you book by April 30, 2012 for any weeklong stay on Bald Head Island now through December 31, 2012, use the offer code ACG500 to take $500 off the accommodations rate for most Bald Head Island Limited Property Management rental homes or use the offer code ACG1000 to take $1000 off the accommodations rate for select Premier Properties.* Book online, call 1-800-432-RENT or email vacations@bhisland.com.

If a shorter stay is what you had in mind, now through April 30, 2012 book a stay of two nights or more for travel now through June 14, 2012 and take 20% off the accommodations rate for select homes.** Simply use offer code ACG20 when you book online, call 1-800-432-RENT or email vacations@bhisland.com.

A digital version of our new Armchair Guide vacation planner is posted online now. It gives a great overview of properties available for rent through Bald Head Island Limited Property Management. Whether you’re interested in a romantic couple’s getaway, a memorable family retreat or a dreamy destination wedding site, you can rest easy knowing that all of the properties we represent meet a high standard for quality and comfort. Detailed descriptions, additional photographs, floorplans, check-in/check-out days, and rates for all Bald Head Island Limited Property Management rental homes can also be found online.

*Discount does not apply to all accommodations or existing bookings and may not be combined with any other offer.  June 29-July 8, 2012 and August 3-5, 2012 are excluded.

***Discount does not apply to all accommodations or existing bookings and may not be combined with any other offer. 

Don't miss the Bald Head Island Fishing Rodeo, May 30-June 2, 2012.

Whether you’re a recreational fisherman or die-hard angler, Bald Head Island’s 21st Annual Fishing Rodeo, happening May 30-June 2, 2012, offers a good excuse to pull out your topsiders, pack up your best tackle, and chart your cruising course for a destination that promises not only a great fishing tournament but a fun-filled weekend for the entire family.

This year’s Fishing Rodeo includes some exciting changes like larger cash awards, an extra day of fishing and the addition of Rodeo Village, the official headquarters of the fishing competition. Rodeo Village will feature an enhanced spectator area, sponsor booths, concessions and a weigh station. The ample cash awards, including a $10,000 guaranteed first place reward, will make this year’s tournament a not-to-be-missed event for anglers. A variety of family-oriented activities and events are also available on the island, making for a perfect getaway for the entire family.

 Island accommodations are available at a special 15% discount  for tournament participants and their families when you book online or call Bald Head Island Limited Property Management at 800-432-RENT. Simply use offer code RODEO21.

Entry form and all the details are available on our website. Register by May 25^th and receive a $100 discount off the entry fee. Docking spaces at the Bald Head Island and Deep Point Marinas are limited, so reserve your slip today by calling 1-800-234-1666, ext. 7380, or by emailing fishingrodeo@bhisland.com.

Get your crew together, beat the early entry deadline, and we’ll look forward to signing you up for the 21st Annual Bald Head Island Fishing Rodeo.