Pender County spending increases by 14.7 percent to $189.66 million PENDER COUNTY – Domestic and international visitors to and within Pender County spent $189.66 million in 2022, an increase of 14.7 percent from 2021. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “The tourism industry in Pender County continues...

Question: Why did the hatchlings cross the road? Answer: a) They heard there was a great band playing at the Trailer Bar. b) They wanted a hot dog from Friendly Mart. c) They saw the playground and wanted to try out the slide. d) They followed the light. Easy question, especially if you’re a fan of sea turtles and our hospital. The answer is: d) They followed...

Art and music lovers will gather in Topsail Beach, North Carolina at the Autumn with Topsail (AWT) Festival. The festival takes place, rain or shine, Oct.20 from 5 – 8:30 p.m., Oct. 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Oct. 22 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Historic Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd. Proceeds from the festival support the Historical Society of Topsail Island, a volunteer non-profit...

Explore Penderlea with Eleanor Roosevelt PENDERLEA- Join Eleanor Roosevelt and Pender County Tourism for the Year of the Trail hike on Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This family-friendly one-mile hike will explore the New Deal farm community of Penderlea. It will be led by the most famous visitor to Penderlea, Eleanor Roosevelt, who visited on behalf of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. “This...

Although our turtle mamas are still technically “on the clock” with the official nesting season continuing through August it’s their babies that are moving into the spotlight. With over a hundred nests on Topsail and the pitter-patter of tiny flippers, it’s time for a quick review of some of the FAQs for our island visitors. When will a nest hatch? By far it’s the question we’re...