Pender County has a smorgasbord of dining choices. From Bandana’s in Burgaw to Sears Landing in Surf City, we are blessed to have the best seafood, barbeque, pizza, and steaks. We also are blessed to have one of the few remaining American icons – the lunch counter. Let's tour Dees Drug Store & Grill. History and memories have been made at America’s lunch counters. At a time, boyfriends...

BURGAW – Pender County families have donated items from businesses and their homes with the simple desire to preserve our rich history. Those donated items are on display for all to see, to treasure, to remind us of our Pender legacy. The storehouse of history is the Pender County Museum. Located in the first brick home built in Burgaw in 1917, the Pender County Historical Society exhibits our history for all...

Surf City Disc Golf is on the way! An initial nine holes on a new Town course are approaching completion on H20 Place (off Highway 210) in mainland Surf City and are projected to open for play this spring. The layout is the brainchild of Interim Police Chief Major Ron Shanahan who was looking for off-duty recreational activities for the Surf City Police Department that would tie into the Town’s Employee Wellness...

Stomp the Park, an April 16-17 event, will feature a statewide Dance Battle competition and a concert by Grammy nominated singer Ryan Daniel. “His reggae-hip hop-rock style is a force that can’t be denied,” said Mary Bushey, Stomp the Park organizer. Daniel has risen on the Reggae Hip Hop music scene. His recent release, “Battle Cry,” is an old-school block party thump with strong...

Genealogy and family history are of great interest to many Americans. We want to know, as Alex Haley documented, our “Roots.” Often we find our forebears on a contraption they never imaged – a computer. Ancestry.com and familysearch.com are popular websites to browse to discover our lineages. However, right here in Pender County is a treasury of documented family dynasties. “Families...

TOPSAIL BEACH – There’s a new eatery in town and it’s worth a try. Cora’s Isle-End Deli opened in July and the menu is garnering rave reviews on TripAdvisor. “We’re not your normal beachy deli,” said Jeff Voelck, the owner of Cora’s Isle-End Deli. “We bring in different flavors – Indian, Asian, and Thai - and combinations of flavors.” Voelck is...

SURF CITY – Stomp the Park, a statewide step show competition and concert, is coming to Holly Ridge and Surf City April 16-17. The step show competition will take place at the Holly Ridge Community Center from 1-6 p.m. Teams are encouraged to register now by calling 763-232-1759. Registration is $15 per team. “The teams will be judged,” said Mary Bushey, the local organizer for Stomp the Park....

Jean Beasley, the director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, will be honored next week by NC Coast Host for her contribution to tourism. Here is this week's e-newsletter and watch for more press on the sea turtle hospital as Jean accepts the award next week! Click here for the Jan. 18 tourism update.

Amid a myriad of Baptist and Methodist churches in Pender County, one church stands alone. Its architecture immediately sets it apart: a gold dome, Byzantine-style architecture, and the traditional Orthodox triple-barred cross. The church is Sts. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Green Catholic Church. Located just 8 miles south of Burgaw in the Village of St. Helena, the church is a beautiful reminder of Pender County...

The first tourism update of 2016 has been sent to our subscribers. To read the Jan. 4, 2016 e-newsletter click here. For your free subscription, email tproctor@pendercountync.gov.

Thousands of people - both visitors and locals - gathered at the Beach Access in Surf City for the annual Dolphin Dip. This fun event benefits charities - this year Share the Table and ASAP, a local autism support group. We posted several photo galleries and videos on Facebook. Click here to get started on viewing the New Year's Day fun!

Are you looking for parties and dinners to celebrate New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Check our local restaurants and clubs for amazing dinners, dancing, and more. New Yorkers watch the ball drop in Times Square. In Surf City, we watch the TV drop at Gallagher's Sports Bar and Grill. So many celebrations and just one night! Here's a wonderful list to help you plan the ringing in of 2016! Click...

The Pender County Tourism Office is taking a break today. We will open the office Tuesday, Dec. 29. In the meantime, watch for our upcoming events listing. Stephanie has compiled a list of events and things to do New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. If you miss it, the listing will be posted on our website visitpender.com/news. Don't hesitate to contact us. The office phone is 910-259-1278 and the cell...

The first few days of winter break are nice. The children are content to stay home, play video games, watch cartoons and sleep in. By Wednesday, they are whining, “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” Oh, there are plenty of things to do in Pender County, Children. Here’s a survival guide for parents. In Pender County you can entertain the children and not go bankrupt. Here’s...

Denise Sanderson is a preservationist. In 2006, Denise and Stuart Sanderson opened Tarboro Main Street Inn, a bed and breakfast, they renovated from a historical 1895 home. The large front porch is inviting and Denise’s designs make for a bed and breakfast that receives rave reviews on TripAdvisor. On July 1, Denise and Stuart opened the Main Street Inn in Topsail Beach. She applied her same preservationist...

TOPSAIL BEACH – Keith Myers, the chairman of Autumn With Topsail, presented a check for $51,000 to Gaylene Branton, the president of the Historical Society of Topsail Island. “The proceeds of Autumn With Topsail will be used to maintain the Assembly Building and for the Missiles and More Museum,” said Branton. “It is greatly appreciated.” Myers said Autumn With Topsail...