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LATEST OAK ISLAND NEWS Monday, December 10, 2007- With holiday festivities a part of everyone's calendar in these December days, who would believe that we would enjoy 70 and near 80-degree temperatures, but...we ARE! Sun, gentle breezes, temperate climate. Can this be North Carolina in winter? Should we put away our sweaters and jackets? With camellias and everblooming azaleas in bloom, adorned with the multi-hues of evergreens and buzzing bees and glittering butterflies swirling in the warm weather breezes, we might well believe that spring is here, but somewhere out there winter weather surrounds us (a weekend ice storm, we hear). Eventually, winter will make its way here, but in the meantime, we can enjoy the warmth. Warm weather also brings even more people to enjoy the new Smithville Horse-N-Buggy Rides through Southport with Maggie, the black 7-year-old Percheron as star. Owner Denita Melton offers rides on a first-come-first-served basis from Friday through Sunday in an area of downtown Southport, and when not in motion, Maggie greets the many shoppers and tourists in her resting place by the waterfront. Not a historical tour but a restful stroll by buggy through the old town, Smithville Rides is a great addition to the town. ''Anytime we can add to a visitor's experience in Southport, it's a real plus,'' said Randy Jones, Southport's Director of Tourism. ''I think it brings back the old South,'' added Ariel Melton, one of the owner's children. The rides continue through December, will be suspended in January so that the carriage can take on a fresh coat of paint in time for the the spring wedding season. So, if you are reading this from somewhere in conditions of frigid temperatures, ice storms, and power outages, we hope that you will warm up a bit with these words of a kinder, gentler Brunswick, NC, coast. Perhaps you will even consider a mid-winter get-away here to Oak Island where, even if we DO have some winter weather eventually, you can enjoy walks on the beach, sun and cobalt blue skies more often than not, and very friendly people. |
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