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The Winds is a small, intimate island resort ideal for vacations, romantic getaways, weddings, honeymoons, reunions, golf packages and excursions or small meetings, The Winds Resort Beach Club, on Ocean Isle Beach, NC, is more than just a beach resort hotel.

The Winds’ complex is a lush tropical paradise offering a variety of Ocean Isle beach rentals and vacation homes all with access to a host of free amenities including three pools (one indoor), bikes to explore the island and much more.

Oceanfront hotel rooms and 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites (with kitchens) overlook palms, banana trees, hibiscus flowers and our breathtaking island beach. The Winds also offers 4, 5 and 6 bedroom Resort Cottages.

Free Hot Southern Breakfast Buffet each morning:
No one offers a free breakfast spread like The Winds Resort Beach Club! All guests can enjoy this buffet free with their stay.

With everything from eggs, breakfast meats, grits, potatoes, waffles, bagels and english muffins to fruit and hot and cold cereals.

This is just a partial list. We promise that you will not be walking away hungry.

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The Wilmington Regional Film Commission has been busy keeping it’s eye on 10 productions of different sizes for the year, and this time it landed a BIG one. With the General Assembly’s approval in 2009 of increased incentives, the regional film commission is seeing more activity, and “Iron Man 3″ could signal producers of other big-budget films that this is the place to be. It looks like Hollywood East is a title Wilmington is glad to keep.

Local authors Fred R David and Vern J. Bender created this 66 page paperback book.

$14.95 Buy it at: http://Islands-Art.com

People from age 4 to 104 will love this book, for twelve good reasons:

* It provides short stories of the last voyage of ships that sank offshore of Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Baldhead Island
* It provides actual pictures of ships that sank here, such as the Sherman, the Hebe, the Raritan, the Governor, and the City of Houston
* It provides GPS #’s of many shipwrecks off southeast North Carolina
* It provides color pictures and short descriptions of exotic marine life that inhabit local shipwrecks
* It reveals where local Shark Tooth Beds are located and describes the extinct megalodon that once roamed here * It discusses the local Cypress Tree Forest on the ocean floor
* It provides numerous embedded YouTube video hotlinks to bring to life local shipwrecks and marine life
* It describes how, when, and where to catch spiny and slipper lobster here
* It gives important information for diving local shipwrecks, including depth, visibility, currents, type of artifacts, and marine life
* It describes local shipwreck history, from pirate ships to Civil War blockade runners, to World War II U-boat victims, to the recent Valour sinking * It tells the story of Frying Pan Tower and Frying Pan Lightships
* Help us preserve the history of this area by making this book available to others.

$14.95 Buy it at: http://Islands-Art.com

I recently took an afternoon off and revisited this incredible place – I hadn’t been there in years and forgot what I was missing.

First of all the location alone is amazing – wooden walkways wind amongst ruins of the pre-Revolutionary town which lie side by side with the remains of a Civil War era Confederate fortification originally called Fort St. Philip’s (later renamed Fort Anderson).

All of this is located along a virtually undeveloped area along the Cape Fear River offering some of the most beautiful views of the river seen through ancient live Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. A great place to spend the day and have a picnic on the grounds.

I don’t know if there is anywhere where more history is packed into such a small area!
The town of Brunswick was settled by merchants coming from Barbados by way of Goose Creek SC in 1726 by Maurice Moore (who’s descendants later built Orton Plantation next to the town).

The port became a bustling shipping area for exporting tar, pitch, and turpentine. These products, derived from the resin of the longleaf pine, were known collectively as naval stores. This “sticky gold” was essential for building and maintaining the great wooden sailing ships of the Royal Navy and the merchant fleet that sailed the oceans between Europe, its American colonies, and the islands of the Caribbean.

In 1748 the town was attacked by Spanish invaders who were eventually driven off by 80 brave men many of which were African slaves.

In 1765 (eight years before the Boston Tea Party!) the residents challenged the Crown’s authority to distribute hated tax stamps halting the collection of the tax along the Cape Fear.

Brunswick was the seat of two Royal Governors until Brunswick’s decline which resulted from several factors, including the growth of Wilmington and the relocation of the royal governor to New Bern in 1770.

Few people remained in Brunswick in the spring of 1776 when British redcoats were put ashore from the Royal Navy ship Cruizer. Some reports indicate that much of the town was burned during this raid. By the end of the Revolutionary War families and merchants had moved to other locations, and the ruins and land became part of Orton Plantation in 1842. After being was razed by British troops in 1776 Brunswick was never rebuilt.

Painting Courtesy of Miller Pope from his book: "Tales of the Silver Coast".

Then, during the Civil War, Ft. Anderson was constructed atop the old village site. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort. This serene riverside setting, colonial and Civil War history, and colorful exhibits will be long remembered by visitors.

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.

Also the original large color painting of the Confederate soldiers shown above by Miller Pope (founder/owner of The Winds Resort Beach Club!). This painting is from his book Tales of the Silver Coast – A Secret History of NC’s Brunswick County.

All of Miller Pope’s books are available at his website http://MillerPope.com

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.

“For there are deeds that should not pass away,
And names that must not wither.”
- plaque in St. Philip’s Church

Brunswick Town? 8884 St. Philip’s Rd. SE?, Winnabow, NC 28479? Phone: (910) 371-6613? Email: brunswick@ncdcr.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Valid Dates: 12/22/2011 – 12/27/2011

Arrival Days: Sun,Mon,Tue,Thu,Fri,Sat

Length of Stay: 3 nights min. / 3 nights max.

Your whole family can get together for a unique Christmas experience! This year do something different – bring the family to The Winds Resort Beach Club on Ocean Isle Beach for Christmas at the beach.

The Winds is offering a Christmas Special: Stay 2 nights get the 3rd night of equal of lesser value free!

The Winds is in a great location for families to gather for Christmas – half way between New England and Florida so families living north can meet those from the south halfway! There are also two international jetports close by (Myrtle Beach, SC, 40 minutes to the south and Wilmington NC, 40 minutes to the north). Everyone will enjoy the beach, the heated indoor pool and the hot Southern breakfast buffet (included each day).

To book your Christmas stay at The Winds call our Reservations Desk at 800.334.3581 or click here to email us

Couples Getaway Package

Bring your significant other to the beach for a relaxing, renewing weekend of togetherness and adventure with our Couples Getaway Package at The Winds Resort Beach Club on Ocean Isle Beach, NC

October 1-March 8, 2012, the rate per person is from $158.00 for our 3 Day/2 Night Couples Getaway.

Package Includes:

Click Here To Book This Package Online!

*Accommodations Are:

Two people in an oceanfront Jasmine Guest Room, Wisteria Mini Suite, Azalea Petite Suite or an Island View Camellia Guest Room.

Optional Add Ons (Available Online):

1) Add a bottle of Champagne to have waiting in your room:

2) Add dinner for two at choice of two nearby restaurants:

Roberto’s Italian Ristorante:

Dinner Includes: Wine and Beer (2 Drinks per person), your choice of Steak, Seafood, or Pasta from The Winds Menu, Salad or Soup, Dessert and Coffee. Reservations available Tuesday through Saturday.

Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant (overlooking the intra-coastal waterway)

Dinner Includes: Entrees (any menu item), 4 Glasses of House Wine (per two people: 4 people receive 8 Glasses/8 receive 12 Glasses), Salad, Dessert, Non-alcoholic Beverages.

Click Here To Book This Package Online!

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What better way to bring in the New Year than to wiggle your toes in the sand and bring in the New Year by the sea! Bring your party shoes and join us for an unforgettable New Year at The Winds Resort Beach Club. The Winds Resort is located on the oceanfront of nearby Ocean Ile Beach, NC.

New Years Eve Celebration Package

Rates From: $199.00

Valid Dates: 12/30/2011 – 01/02/2012

Arrival Days: Sun, Fri, Sat

Length of Stay: 2 night’s min. / 3 nights max.

Package Includes:

• 2 night’s for two people in your choice of oceanfront or island view accommodations.
• Hot Southern Breakfast Buffet each day.
• A bottle of Champagne or Sparkling Cider.
• New Years Celebration at Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant: Bring in the New Year as the Shark drops from a three story crane at Jimmy Buffett’s favorite nightlife spot on Ocean Isle Beach. A Prime Rib Dinner for two will be served including garlic smashed potatoes with asparagus. Live entertainment featuring “Bailout” will kick the party off at 8 pm and will be playing till 2 am! As always owner Ray Harris will be making his traditional toast to the New Year at 12:01 am.
• Complimentary bikes to explore the island.
• Discounts to area restaurants and shops.

Please call 1.800.334.3581 to book your restaurant reservation no later than five days prior to your arrival.

Taking place from 6 to 9pm on the fourth Friday of each month, the Art Walk is a self-guided tour featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, wood, metals, ceramics, mixed media and more.

Showcasing art and art-related events, Fourth Fridays also include opening receptions, demonstrations, artist discussions, live music, wine, food and other traditional and non-traditional art-activities

The final Fourth Friday for 2011 will be December 23.

Participating Venues include; 621N4TH Gallery, Acme Art Studios, ArtAttack, Art Slab, Bottega Gallery & Art Bar, Burchetta Glassblowing Studio, Caffe Phoenix, Caprice Bistro, Calico Room, Charles Jones African Art, The Eclectic, Front Street Glass, Golden Gallery, Gypsy Gina’s, Lovebird Art & Design, New Elements Gallery, Old Books on Front Street, One Wicked Gallery, Opera Room & Gallery, Projekte, Port City Pottery & Crafts, Port City Treasures, River to Sea Gallery, Salon Fringe, Una Luna World Gallery, WHQR Gallery, Wilmington Art Gallery, and Wilmington Wine Company.

Additional information can be found on their website.

http://www.wilmingtonfourthfridays.com/

Divers had planned to bring up the second-biggest artifact on what is thought to be the Queen Anne’s Revenge however they discovered it was too well-attached to some of the other items in the pile of ballast, according to the project director, Mark Wilde-Ramsing. So they pulled up another anchor instead that is the third-largest artifact and was most likely the anchor for the ship.

The anchor, which is 11 feet, 4 inches long with arms that are 7 feet, 7 inches across, was covered with a mixture of shells, sand and other debris that has been attracted by the leaching wrought iron. Its estimated to weigh approximately 2,500 to 3,000 pounds.
The size of the anchor is typical for a ship the size of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, with the two other anchors probably used in the event of an emergency, like a storm.

Archaeologists were planning to remove the second-largest anchor, which is 13 feet long with arms that are 8 feet across, from where it is located on top of the ballast pile. But found it to be too well-attached, so the divers went in from the side instead retrieving the “everyday anchor”. This means that in the future other dives may require going in from the side of the shipwreck rather than the top.

Divers are continuing to work for four days next week, then they’ll decide how best to move forward. The dive team hopes to recover all the artifacts by the end of 2013.

North Carolina state officials are hoping the anchor as well as the other artifacts will attract tourists. The shipwreck was discovered in 1996, causing world wide attention. The largest exhibit of artifacts from will be on view at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort starting June 11.

The timing of the recovery of the anchor couldn’t be better for North Carolina tourism interest in the shipwreck. The Disney film “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” starring Johnny Depp was just released earlier this month featuring both Blackbeard and the Queen Anne’s Revenge.