News

The UNCW Men’s basketball team has made it to the March Madness Tournament! After ten years without making the NCAA Tournament, the Seahawks have qualified with a comeback win against top seed Hofstra last night. The final score of the game was 80-73 making their season record 25-7. Senior guard Craig Ponder scored the led his team with 20 points, closely followed by junior guard Chris Flemmings with 19 points and junior guard Denzel Ingram adding 17 points. Congratulations to the Seahawks and good luck in the upcoming tournament!

This Saturday is the annual Wrightsville Beach Elementary School Winter Fundraiser. The Casino Night’s theme this year is Mardi Gras! Starting at 6:00, the evening will include a live auction, a silent auction, a DJ and dancing, a photo booth, and lots of gambling. All the money raised from the event directly benefits the children of Wrightsville Beach Elementary School. Last year the event raised $40,000, which went to hiring a new teacher’s assistant, four part-time tutors, paid for technology, and new instructional programs. Tickets for the event can be purchased at http://www.wbsfoundation.org/event-tickets/. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be a fun night for a great cause!

One of the most anticipated Festivals in Wilmington is back this weekend! From the 29^th until the 31^st it’s the Wine and Chocolate Festival, held at the Coastline Convention Center in Downtown Wilmington. On Friday night the event starts with a grand tasting for $45 a person. This includes live entertainment by El Jaye Johnson and the Port City All-Stars and an internationally renowned comedian, additionally, there are hors d’oeurvres by Chef Sam of Catering Thyme.

On Saturday and Sunday there is a tasting tour of wine from Carolina wineries and sweet treats from local chocolatiers. Sugar by the Sea, Goodies Chocolatier, The Tipsy Bee, So Sweet Chocolates, Basile Foods, Windsor Rum Cellars, and Weathervane Winery are just a few of the vendors attending this years festival. Not only are there samples of wine and chocolate, but also there are activities for kids, raffles, informal talks, demonstrations, and live music. Performances during the event include Benny Hill, Susan Savia, LaCi, Darryl Donnell Murrill, Rebekah Todd, and Donn Stanely.

Friday the festival is from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday 11:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday noon to 4:00. The proceeds from the event benefit the Volunteer Older Citizens Action League. You can purchase tickets online at http://www.wilmingtonwineandchocolatefestival.com.

This Saturday, January 30, at the Landfall Clubhouse is the annual Scottish dinner in honor of Robert Burns. The Scottish author, poet, and writer was born January 25, 1759, and every year on his birthday there are dinner celebrations all over the world. He is considered the pioneer of the Romantic Movement and was a major source of inspiration for the founders of liberalism and socialism. Everyone is familiar with at least one of his poems, “Auld Lang Syne,” which we now hear every New Year’s Eve at midnight. Scotland regards Robert Burns as one of the greatest Scots ever.

The dinner gatherings in honor of his birthday are often black tie optional and Scottish attire optional. The dinner includes Scottish and Celtic music, readings of his poems, and often the acting out of his poems by performers in costume. Music at the event will be provided by The Port City Pipes and Drums, a local bagpipe band, who will play Scottish music from the 18^th century. Come join your fellow Scots and celebrate with food, drinks, poetry, music, dancing, toasts, prizes and a silent auction.

The price of tickets are $50 a person for Scottish Society members and $59 for non members. All proceeds will go to the Scottish Society of Wilmington. To make your reservations call the Landfall Clubhouse receptionist at 256-8411.

If you’re driving over the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge this Saturday you might notice a crowd in the Intracoastal Waterway. That’s because this Friday and Saturday is Coastal Urge’s 8^th Annual Cold Stroke Classic, a stand up paddleboard competition. On Friday the festivities begin at Coastal Urge with a pig pickin’ and live music from 5:00pm-8:00pm. The dinner and music is free to contestants and $7.00 for anyone else wishing to join.

Starting at the Blockade Runner Hotel there are multiple races for varying distance and age groups, including 14 and under. The cash purse for the elite category, which is 7 miles, is $1,250 and there is $5,000 worth of prizes for the 3.5 mile recreational class. The main event starts Saturday at 10:00am. Following the race the awards ceremony will be held at the Blockade Runner at 12:45pm. A portion of the proceeds benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation which helps cure childhood cancers. For more information on the event visit their website http://www.coldstrokeclassic.com.

This weekend in Landfall there are two exciting events happening. The first is the annual Father Daughter Snow Ball. This dinner and dance takes place on Saturday, January 23^rd, from 6:00 until 9:00, in the Landfall Ballroom. The Snow Ball is an event daughters and fathers look forward to every year, and is always a fun night to get dressed up and enjoy the evening. The price for dads is $32.00 and girls are $17.00, reservations are required, so make sure to call the Landfall Clubhouse and purchase your tickets.

The following night, Sunday the 24^th, is The Coastal Strings trio, presented by the Frank H. Kenan Chapel. The trio includes violinist Christine Meyer, cellist Kathy Meyer, and on viola Diane Stephens, who is a Landfall resident. The Coastal Strings will be playing music from Beethoven, Schubert, and Max Regen. The complimentary concert will begin at 5:00pm and will be followed by a reception at the Landfall Country Club. This event is a wonderful chance to see live music without even having to leave your neighborhood.

Every month the Landfall Great Oaks Club holds meetings at the Landfall Clubhouse Ballroom to host speakers and discuss topics and events, including party planning, theatre, gardening, fashion shows, and luncheons. The club also goes on home and garden tours, traveling to Bald Head Island last month. The all women’s club is open to all Landfall members or residents for a yearly fee of only $25.00.

This month’s meeting takes place Wednesday the 13^th at 1:00pm. Guest speaker, Shelley Morse, Director of OSHER, will be talking about the Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW. The institute provides the community with educational opportunities and connects adult learners with university communities.

For more information on the Great Oaks Club visit their website http://www.greatoaksclub.com.