Our Crafty Pumpkins

Fall is here at The Sunset Inn, and with temperatures hovering around 82 degrees, today it isn’t easy to remember. So we thought maybe we should decorate to remind us :). One of the great fall staples is the Pumpkin!! Our Kelly decided to be super crafty and make us some precious pumpkins to display, that bring in our coastal vibe to our fall season.

Find out how to at - www.craftsbycourtney.com/how-to-crafts/mod-podge-fall-coastal-theme-pumpkins/

Ok, so I’m not the Courtney that these crafts are by, but seriously, how cute are these?

After she tried a few, Kelly did have a couple of tips about doing these:

First - Do them in stages – work on it, let it dry, work on it again. If not you will get your places where the glue dries to your fingers and makes little tears on the paper when you are done.

Second - Dollar tree had great fake pumpkins to do this in, so that you can save them from year to year.

Third – Pick the paint color for your stem that work best for your décor.

Alright, let us know how it goes. And don't forget, you can always come see them in person here at The Sunset Inn. We have some great specials for November - and we will be doing our 15% off mid-week all month long!!

Fall Festivals, Sunset Beach & Ocean Isle Beach NC

With the oncoming of autumn, both leaves and resort activities tend to fall. Scintillating summer fun gives way to cooler temperatures and vacationers begin to thin out. Unfortunately, this is the off-season fate. Fortunately, the city of Sunset Beach, North Carolina offers ongoing fun during the off-season with beautiful weather, sand-kissed beaches, and an array of activities. Personifying this off-season fun is The Sunset Inn. Temperatures routinely reach the 70s and 80s during the autumn here, making for optimal exploration weather. And explore you will. Exciting fall festivals take place just outside your door while reduced rates and three new packages allow you to experience it all at a portion of the price.

The entertainment begins on October 4 at the Sunset at Sunset Festival, which begins with a 5K run over the Mannon Gore Bridge at 8 am. The festival continues at the Ingram Planetarium, where you’ll be entertained by the Brunswick Big Band featuring Linda Ladrick and The Imitations. After running and rocking, enjoy attractions from artisans, food vendors, and even a children’s section.

More festival fun comes with the North Carolina Oyster Festival, which runs October 18-19. There’s something for everyone: fresh fare, arts and crafts, children's activities, live music, the Oyster Stew Cook-off, and the Oyster Shucking Contest. October 24-25 showcases the North Carolina Festival by the Sea Holden Beach, which kicks off with a parade down the Holden Beach causeway and features arts and crafts for sale, food vendors, children’s activities, and much more.

Sunset Beach NC Packages

A plethora of packages will make your stay even more special. The Girlfriends Getaway Package features a manicure/pedicure for two at a local spa, lunch for two at local hot spot Fibber McGees, a bottle of wine, and more. Explore the island on a Bike or Hike Package, which includes two beach bikes for 2-3 full days, two Sunset Inn beach towels to take home, and one beach tote.

The sparks will fly with the Romance Package. Pop a bottle of complimentary champagne, nibble on chocolates, admire the fresh flowers, and indulge in a couples spa at a local spa. Renew your creativity November 7-9 or November 14-16 at the Maureen Ryan Griffin Writing Retreat 2014, where the author employs prompts and techniques to help you grow as a writer.

These packages, along with reduced off-season rates, feature a stay in elegant rooms like the Hatteras Grand Room, which features a private screened porch, a Whirlpool tub with bath salt, plush robes, and much more. Choose from the top level or the lobby level, both of which overlook the secluded salt marsh paradise of the Intracoastal Waterway. This North Carolina nook is also just a five-minute walk from the Atlantic Ocean.

At The Sunset Inn, a combination of exciting festivals, exceptional packages, and reduced rates make for ongoing North Carolina fun during the off-season.

Sunset Beach, NC

Sunset Beach, NC is a great place to be in 2014, and the secret is out! The Kindred Spirit Mailbox located on Bird Island was just recently featured on CBS Evening News. We highly recommend exploring Bird Island with the educational walks every Wednesday, June through August, starting at 9am on the beach at the 40th St walkover. Take a moment to note your thoughts at the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. This is just one of the numerous “Things To Do” while you are visiting or as a resident at Sunset Beach, North Carolina.

Of course one of the most common things to do at Sunset Beach is enjoy the pristine shoreline, with silky-fine sand, gradual sloping beach, and natural accreting dune-lines that make the island of Sunset Beach undeniably unique. If you are the avid walker, jogger or beach chair lounger, keep your eyes open for the threatened Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests commonly found on our beach. The Sunset Beach Turtle Patrol works diligently to protect these nests and is eager to educate the public on Sunday evenings at 7pm at Sunset Properties on the island as well as, Wednesdays at Noon at Sunset Beach’s Ingram Planetarium. You might even get to witness over 100 Hatchlings born at a single Turtle Nest!

As we all continue to enjoy the ease of the New Sunset Beach Bridge, be sure to take a walk down memory lane and visit the Old Sunset Beach Bridge. With the museum officially open, you can now visit inside the Bridge Tender’s Office, enjoy interactive family activities, hear historical accounts of nautical days gone by, and even purchase unique memorabilia from the Old Bridge Store. Every Tuesday & Thursday nights 5-7pm features fun activities and Wednesday mornings 10-11:30am Young Explorers are invited. Be sure to visit to their website to see future scheduled events, including July 4th Celebration!

If you have Future Scientists among you or excited learners of any age, be sure to visit Ingram Planetarium and the Museum of Coastal Carolina. You’ll find Dinosaurs, Sea Monsters, and Sharks, oh my! There’s even famous Rock Band Laser Light Shows for the music lovers. The Ingram Planetarium at Sunset Beach and the Museum of Coastal Carolina at Ocean Isle Beach, have something to do every day of the week, rain or shine. Check out their complete schedule online.

Speaking of music lovers, The Sunset Beach Concert Series is once again honored to provide FREE summer concerts on Wednesday nights 6:30-8:30pm at the Gazebo in Village Park on Queen Anne Street in Sunset Beach. Bring your lawn chair, pack a cooler, and grab a few bucks to spend on the yummy foods provided by food vendors or to partake in the 50/50 charity raffle! The variety of live music and dancers of all ages will not disappoint. Check the Bands scheduled to play at Sunset Beach and live music events at other local Brunswick County Towns.

Most of all, we want you to Be Safe this Summer, Stay Alert and Be Informed about this gorgeous and friendly community. The Town of Sunset Beach, NC, via TV Channel 99, proudly provides up-to-date information about emergency guidelines, rip current warnings, and upcoming events. We invite each of you to explore the variety of entertainment, nature and family atmosphere that Sunset Beach offers in the warm summer months, and all year round. If you love us in the summer, you will be pleasantly surprised at just how idyllic the off-season months in our coastal town can be, too!

Run Sunset Beach, NC May 18th, 2014

http://runsunsetbeach.com

1 Mile Turtle Trot

This will be a fun and affordable race on the beach for everyone no matter if you’re 3 or 93 to come enjoy the event. All participants will receive a unique rubber medal along with a nice tri blend t-shirt.

Kindred 5K

This one of a kind event takes you out to the famous Kindred Spirit where runners can leave their own letter at the turnaround. There will be age group and overall awards while all participants receive large medals and a nice tri blend t-shirt.

Sunset Beach Half Marathon

The first ever 1/2 Marathon in Sunset Beach takes runners across the entire island, over the Mannon C. Gore bridge (twice) and through the Seatrail Golf and Resort Community. Age group and overall awards PLUS x-large medals and a nice tri blend t-shirt

Natural Features of Bird Island

The Bird Island Reserve has pristine sandy white

beaches, high natural dunes, and over 1000 acres of

beautiful salt marsh and tidal creeks.

Creation of the Reserve

Bird Island was privately owned from 1771 through

2001. Efforts to develop the island were halted in 1996

when the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission denied

the request to construct a bridge over Mad Inlet. In

2001 and 2002 the state of North Carolina purchased

these lands with funds from the Clean Water

Management Trust Fund, National Heritage Trust

Fund and N.C. Department of Transportation. Many

years of local citizens’ effort, particularly the Bird Island

Preservation Society, contributed to the inclusion of

Bird Island in the Coastal Reserve program.

Purpose of the Reserve

This natural area is one of 10 sites that make up the

North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine

Research Reserve. Preservation of Bird Island

Reserve allows this coastal ecosystem to be available

as an outdoor laboratory where scientists, students

and the public can learn about processes, functions

and infl uences that shape and sustain the coastal

area. Traditional recreational uses are allowed as long

as they do not disturb the environment or organisms or

interfere with research and educational activities.

The Bird Island Reserve is located in Brunswick County,

south of Shallotte. From Hwy. 17 South, turn left onto N.C.

904; then turn right onto N.C. 179. It will become Sunset

Beach Boulevard. Cross the Intracoastal Waterway onto

Sunset Beach. At the “T” intersection with Main Street,

turn right. Parking is permitted on the side of the road

and near the 40th Street crossover. Walk west on the

beach to get to the reserve boundary.

North Carolina

Coastal Reserve & National

Estuarine Research Reserve

Wilmington Field Offi ce

5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane

Wilmington, NC 28409

(910) 962-2998

www.nccoastalreserve.net

Bird Island is managed by the N.C. Division of Coastal

Management to protect the island’s ecosystems and

organisms for research, education and compatible

recreational uses. Support and assistance of the Bird

Island Preservation Society and its volunteer stewards

is gratefully acknowledged. This site is also a dedicated

state nature preserve.

The North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National

Estuarine Research Reserve is a part of the N.C.

Division of Coastal Management, a division of the N.C.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Brunswick Islands Home and Garden Show, Sea Trail

2014 12th Annual Brunswick Islands Home and Garden Show

Date: February 15, 2014 - February 16, 2014
Website: http://www.brunswickcountychamber.org
Event Description:
The 12 Annual Brunswick Islands Home and Garden Show will be held at Sea Trail Resort and Conference Center will feature an array of vendors, a kid's learning area, live demonstrations and more!

Vendors will include plants, flowers, painters, home repair, builders, home accessories, outdoor products and much more!