Community briefs

Little Miss pageant deadline is March 1
The Tri-County Little Miss and Teen Miss North Carolina pageant, an official preliminary to the 2013 State Little Miss and Teen Miss North Carolina, will be March 23 at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville.
The state pageant will take place in July in Lenior.
This preliminary is open to all young ladies age up to 18 years of age as of the date of the pageant.
For more information and an application, contact Sylvia Walters at (910) 642-3419, (910) 234-4774 or email swalters46@yahoo.com. The tri-county includes, but is not limited to, Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties.
Deadline for entry is Friday, March 1.

New books at Rourk
The following books are now available at Rourk Branch Library in Shallotte. Reviews are courtesy of Friends of the Library.
Non-Fiction
“The End of Diabetes” by Joel Fuhrman, MD. The “eat to live” plan to prevent and reverse diabetes.
“Slim for Life” by Jillian Michaels. A set of simple strategies, ideas, tips, tricks and secrets that pertain to your diet, exercise regimen and lifestyle. When followed, it will make any weight you’ve been holding on to fall off quickly and remain off.
Fiction
“A Week in Winter” by Maeve Binchy. Binchy makes you laugh, cry and care. Sharing a week with this cast of characters is pure joy, full of warmth and humor.
“Hit Me” by Lawrence Block. Block returns to one of his most beloved characters, Keller.
“Guilt” by Jonathan Kellerman. A new Alex Delaware novel of murder and madness among the beautiful dreamers, seductive predators and doomed innocents adrift in the glare of southern California’s eternal sunshine.
“Alex Cross, Run” by James Patterson. Detective Alex Cross hunts three serial killers. He is under so much pressure, he hasn’t noticed that someone is investigating him.
“Air Tight” by David Rosenfelt. From the author of the Andy Carpenter series comes this thriller of murder, revenge, and family loyalty.
“A Time for War” by Michael Savage. In this powerful thriller, the United States is under secret attack.
“A Deniable Death” by Gerald Seymour. A page-turning thriller of life and death in the moral maze of the post-9/11 world.

Apply for Sea Notes scholarship by March 15
The Sea Notes Choral Society will award a $1,000 scholarship to a college-bound high school senior for the academic year, beginning in September.
The society has been a Brunswick County choral institution for more than 30 years. The group meets weekly for rehearsal and prepares three full-program concerts for the community’s enjoyment each year; one at Christmas, another in the spring, and a third for the Southport Fourth of July festival. Currently, more than 125 members from all areas of the county contribute their vocal talents.
To encourage young people to pursue the life-long opportunities the study of music promotes, the Sea Notes board of directors decided to fund a scholarship.
Senior music students, both vocal and instrumental, who reside in Brunswick County, are encouraged to apply.
Applications are available from the guidance departments at WBHS, SBHS and NBHS; Early College High School; and Brunswick County Academy. Applications may also be downloaded from the Sea Notes website at www.sea-notes.com. The deadline for submitting applications is March 15. The scholarship winner will be announced in April.

Foundation accepting grant applications
The Brunswick County Community Foundation has opened its 2013 grant cycle and will accept online applications from local nonprofits until Tuesday, April 9.
The foundation seeks proposals from Brunswick County organizations in the areas of arts and humanities, education, the environment, health, human services, public and societal benefit and youth development.
Grants are available for nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, religious institutions and government agencies with specific projects addressing these needs in Brunswick County. Funds are not available for individuals or capital campaigns.
This year, the foundation is continuing the online grant application system, and it is only accepting online proposals. Organizations may access the online application system through the community foundation website at www.nccommunityfoundation.org/page/brunswick-applying-for-grants-328. This website also provides links to the updated training modules that guide new and returning applicants through the online system.
The Brunswick County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, and it provides endowment services to a number of funds. Local board members include Karen F. Anderson, chair, and Mark Bachara, Currie Batchelor, Cindy Cheatham, Mike Gildea, David Ollis; Julie Wolfe and Percy Woodard.
For more information about the Brunswick County Community Foundation, contact a local board member or call the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Southeastern office at (910) 509-7256.

Coastal Cinemas transforms into Oz
To celebrate the forthcoming release of the Disney feature film, “Oz the Great and Powerful,” Coastal Cinemas, 5200 Bridgers Road in Shallotte, is inviting everyone to wear their best green and participate in the festivities beginning on Friday, March 1. The film, telling the story of how Oscar Diggs transforms from a selfish flim-flam artist to the great and powerful man who helps the inhabitants of the Land of Oz, opens on Friday, March 8.
Planned events
On March 1 and 9 at 6 p.m., local magician Mark Vann will perform.
Trivia contests will be conducted all week long on Cool 105.3 FM.
A Three Witches Costume Contest will take place at the theatre.
A Witch and Wizard makeover station will be on hand to magically turn young patrons into a witch or wizard.
Guests will be able to guess the number of emeralds in the jar to win a prize donated by Douglas Diamonds.
“The Most Emerald Citizen” will be given passes to the theatre.
Guests will be invited to “Bring the Black and White to Life” in a coloring contests.
As Oscar, himself, was given a second chance, there is a second chance for everyone to win by telling us how you had a second chance to transform a situation into a wonderful outcome.
For more information about the film, “Oz the Great and Powerful,” go to www.disney.com/TheWizard.
For information about prices, times and films at Coastal Cinemas, call (910) 754-3489.
Trauma support group meets next month
I Support Survivors: Self Care Through Vicarious Trauma is a support group to learn effective coping skills to better care for yourself while being supportive of loved ones who have suffered trauma.
The group will meet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays, March 11-April 15, at The Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, 615 Shipyard Blvd., in Wilmington.
To register, call Lauren Slusher at (910) 392-7460 by Friday, March 8. Space is limited. There is no cost for attendance.

Greenlands Farm has animal rescue day
Greenlands Farm, 668 Midway Road in Bolivia, has invited three rescue organizations to the farm on Saturday, March 2, to celebrate Animal Rescue Awareness Day.
Representatives will be on-hand from the South East Llamas Rescue (SELR) at 11:30 a.m.; from the United States Equine Rescue League (USERL) at noon; and from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services at 12:30 p.m. Dr. Heidi Hart from Pineview Veterinary Hospital will also be welcomed at 1 p.m.
Pets will be available to take home for adoption from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services. The Greenlands Children’s Petting Farm will be open with its rescued and adopted horses, llamas, mini-donkey and pigs. The Greenlands Farm goats will also be there.
In lieu of entrance fees, donations will be gladly accepted.

Painting sessions are every Wednesday
Waterway Art Association offers informal paint-in sessions from 9:30 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays at Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road NW in Ocean Isle Beach.
Artists bring current projects and share the experience of painting together. Optional painting or drawing from live models is available on the second and fourth Wednesdays. It is not required to be a member of Waterway Art Association to participate.

Literacy councils to offer tutor workshops
The Brunswick County Literacy Council is offering an ABL (Adult Basic Literacy) tutor workshop from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, March 11, with a 30-minute lunch break, at the Literacy Council at 282 Ocean Highway East in Supply. There is a fee of $20 for this class.
A volunteer orientation workshop for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer will be from
3-5 p.m. Monday, March 11. Light snacks will be provided.
An ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutor workshop is planned from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 14. Light snacks will be provided and there is a fee of $20 for this class.
To register for any of these classes, contact the Literacy Council at (910) 754-7323 or email bcliteracy@yahoo.com.

Beekeepers to meet March 7 in Bolivia
The Brunswick County Beekeepers will meet at
7 p.m. March 7 at the David R. Sandifer County Administration Building, 30 Government Center Drive in Bolivia, in the second floor meeting room. Look for signs showing the way. This meeting is open to all members and visitors. For more information, call Gary at 523-0563.

Garden club to host fashion show March 19
The Sea Trail Garden Club will host its annual fashion show and charity auction on Tuesday, March 19, at the Convention Center in Sunset Beach. The theme is “Casual Chic from Coldwater Creek.” All fashions will be presented by Coldwater Creek of Wilmington.
The day includes a charity auction, silent auction and concludes with a luncheon. A preview of all auction items begins at 9 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. start to the fashion show.
Tickets are $22 and are by reservation only. They can be purchased via mail by sending a check to Pat Sutton, 347 Crooked Gulley Circle, Sunset Beach, NC 28468. Make checks payable to Sea Trail Garden Club. Call (910) 575-6167. Tables of eight can be reserved by including all names of guests with the check. Final date for reservation is March 12. All proceeds will benefit Brunswick County Charities.

WCU students graduate, make dean’s list
Western Carolina University in Cullowhee has announced its graduation and dean’s lists for fall 2012 semester.
Michael Channing Sapp of Ash was among 638 students who completed their studies during the fall semester. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
A total of 2,034 students at the university were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2012 semester, including three from Brunswick County. Honored were Stephanie Lynn Brown of Leland, Melissa Nichole Vink of Leland, and Matthew Todd Gould of Supply.
To qualify for the dean’s list, students must achieve at least a 3.5 grade-point average out of a possible 4.0 on a regular semester’s work of not less than 12 hours, excluding remedial courses, with no grade of D or F.

Dosher gala set for April 20
The Dosher Memorial Hospital Foundation, 924 N. Howe St. in Southport, will host its third annual black-tie-optional gala from 6-11 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the St. James Community Center on Southport-Supply Road.
Music will be provided by the Andrew Thieland Big Band. A dinner of heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served, with catering provided by Mr. P’s Bistro of Southport.
This year’s event is billed as a 135th birthday gala, with the theme of the evening being the celebration of what would be the 135th birthday of general surgeon and Dosher Hospital founder Dr. J. Arthur Dosher.
The evening will also celebrate Dosher Memorial Hospital, as well as the Dosher Hospital Foundation and its impact on the quality of healthcare in southeastern Brunswick County through its support of the hospital.
The gala chairs are Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Hatem.
“Tish and I are so excited to once again be the chairs of this year’s gala,” Dr. Hatem said. “As an emergency room physician, I’m continually seeing the positive impact of Dosher Hospital on our community, as well as the special relationship Dosher has with the people it serves,” he said.
“The Dosher Hospital Foundation has given our community an avenue of giving which can make a big difference in the quality of healthcare provided by our local hospital,” Tish said.
According to the Hatems, the foundation gala continues to get better with each passing year, and this year’s event is no exception. “
We’ve heard so many comments about how much people enjoyed themselves last year, and we think the 135th birthday gala will be a night to remember,” Tish said. “The Dosher Foundation gala is a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy a great night out for a very worthy cause.”
Tickets for the 135th Birthday Celebration Gala are $100 per person, and a number of sponsorship opportunities are also available. Reservations and sponsorships may be made online at www.dosher.org.
For more information about the gala, contact Kirk Singer, the foundation’s executive director, in Dosher Hospital’s Community Relations Department, at (910) 457-3900.

Dosher Cares is new discounted prescription program
Through a new partnership between Dosher Memorial Hospital, Southport’s Walmart and Kerr Drug pharmacies, and healthcare technology company SUNRx, eligible patients in the Smithville Township area may now have access to discounted prescription drugs.
Dosher Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in North Carolina to partner with SUNRx on a discount prescription drug program of this nature.
According to Lisa Narron, Dosher Hospital’s pharmacy director, the new program will be a benefit for those people who are uninsured or do not have prescription drug coverage as part of their insurance plan.
“Our new Dosher Cares prescription card program will allow uninsured individuals from the community to purchase prescription drugs at a discounted—often deeply discounted—rate, when they otherwise might not be able to afford their prescriptions,” Narron said. “It will also provide a benefit for people who have health insurance but do not have adequate prescription drug coverage.”
Dosher is offering the discounted prescription drug program through the federal 340B program, which provides medications discounted at up to 60 percent less than retail price through qualified community healthcare centers and hospitals.
SUNRx technology manages all aspects of the 340B program and reduces paperwork, thereby allowing hospital staff to focus on patients. Qualifying prescriptions must be written by a Dosher Hospital physician, such as a hospitalist in the emergency department, or at Dosher Medical Associates.
Patients utilizing the new Dosher Cares program can present their prescription card to the pharmacist for the discounted prescription drugs. Patients can order their prescriptions at the Walmart Pharmacy, 1675 N. Howe St., or, beginning April 1, at Kerr Drug, 1531 N. Howe St. in Southport.
For more information about Dosher Hospital’s new Dosher Cares Card discount pharmacy program, call Lisa Narron in the hospital pharmacy at (910) 457-3835.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast names top producers
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage has named its Top Producers in the following Brunswick County offices for January:
Leland office
Top listing and selling agent: Karen Schwartz.
Top listing and selling team: Shawn Horton.
Brunswick office
Top listing and selling agent: Lynda Haraway.
Top listing team: Vic Rosado.
Top selling team: Emily Willetts.
South Brunswick office
Top listing and selling agent: Frances Warner.
Top listing and selling team: Anna Marie Kozel.
Overall top producers
Jennie Stevens, Jack Gale, Christina Block, Stephanie Gasparovic, Shane Register, Karen Schwartz, Deana Bowen, Pam Dabney, Teresa McLamb and Lynda Haraway.

Papa John’s partners with CIS for specials
The four Brunswick County locations of Papa John’s (Leland, Shallotte, Southport and Sunset Beach) are conducting a fundraiser to support the students and families served by Communities in Schools (CIS) of Brunswick County.
On the first Wednesday of each month, these four locations will donate 25 percent of the day’s sales of specific pizza specials to support CIS programs and services.
The first event will take place on Wednesday, March 6. According to Jeremy Caudill, Papa John’s director of operations at the Shallotte and Sunset Beach locations, “At Papa John’s Pizza, we firmly believe strong relationships that provide educational support yield advancement opportunities for our children. Through our fundraising partnership with CIS, we hope to raise money for an organization that does just that. Here at Papa John’s, we believe in serving quality food, providing great customer service, and giving back to the community that supports us. Thank you for your support of this effort.”
So, on March 6, place your pizza order by stopping by or calling the Papa John’s location nearest you or place your order online at www.papajohns.com and ask how you can “make a difference in a Brunswick County student’s life.” Call 457-3494 for more information or visit www.cisbrunswick.org.

NCDOT seeks public input on U.S. 17
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is proposing to designate U.S. 17 between U.S. 17 Business (Market Street) in New Hanover County and U.S. 74/76 in Brunswick County for use by truck tractors with twin trailers. The department is soliciting interest in conducting public hearings in New Hanover and Brunswick counties and asking citizens if they would like to provide public comment.
Such designation is allowed by N.C. general statute (20-115.1 (a)) under the following conditions: A determination of the public convenience and need for the trucks; A traffic engineering study which clearly shows the road can safely accommodate and has sufficient capacity to handle twin trailers; and a public hearing or the opportunity for a public hearing in each county the route passes through.
NCDOT has determined the first two requirements have been met.
Anyone desiring that a public hearing should take place may make a request by email or by letter to Lisa N. Avery (lavery@ncdot.gov), traffic safety project engineer, 1561 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1561 by March 22. If additional information is needed, contact Avery at (919) 773-2893.

Shakespeare in opera
“Hamlet,” “Falstaff,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” are some of Shakespeare’s greatest works, and all have found their way into the operatic repertoire.
Join UNCW voice professor Nancy King, accompanist Patricia Anispac, and the talented UNC-WOOP! (Wilmington Opera Outreach Program) students for an hour of Shakespeare in opera, featuring the music of Verdi, Berlioz, Nicolai, Thomas and more, at 2 p.m. March 3 at the Southport Community Center on Bay Street in Southport. This event is free and open to the public.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library Southport/Oak Island. Donations will be accepted for UNC-WOOP! A reception will follow the performance.

Band to perform April 3
Mike’s Garage Band will perform at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at Brunswick Community College South Campus on U.S. 17 near mile-marker 3. There will be a cash bar (wine and beer) including snacks. Patrons may also bring their own snacks.
Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the Brunswick County Literacy Council, 282 Ocean Highway East in Supply. Call 754-7323. Tickets are also available online at www.bcliteracy.org through March 31. There are only 340 tickets available to sell for this event.
All proceeds will benefit programs of the Brunswick County Literacy Council.