We hope to see you at the POA Annual Meeting to be held Saturday, October 15 at the St. James Community Center. Doors open 9:30AM with refreshments provided. Meeting starts at 11AM sharp. Brunswick County Sheriff, John Ingram, will provide an overview of his department’s activities.

Submit a question: Deadline is Friday, September 30, send to  POA@stjamespoa.net and put in the subject line 'Annual Meeting Question'.

Send in your proxy or drop it off at the POA office. Simplify meeting day by casting your votes for board candidates early via the proxy you received in the annual meeting package. 

The Town of St. James is holding a shredding event on Saturday, October 1 from 8:30-11AM (or until trucks are full) at the St. James Community Center parking lot. This is a paper shredding event only. Paper will only be accepted in a paper grocery bag. If brought in a cardboard box, the box will be returned. Items not accepted are plastic bags, yard waste bags, paper clips, staples, and previously shredded paper. This is a drive-up event open to all St. James residents. No items will be accepted before 8:30AM. Have items easily accessible for Shred-It staff to collect. Click here for more information.

Two vaccination clinics are being held at the St. James Community Center. Dates, times, and vaccinations offered are different for both. Details on appointments and the vaccinations offered are in the links. 

Brunswick County Health Services: Tuesday, October 4 and Tuesday, October 11 from 9:30AM-5PM. Appointment only; call 910-253-2339. Stay on the line until the end of the short recorded message to be connected to someone who will assist making your appointment. Masks required. Flu and Covid-19 booster. Click here for information on ID requirements, fees if not covered by Medicare or insurance, and curbside options. Click here to download required forms if completing ahead of time.

Walmart Pharmacy: Friday, October 14 from 10AM-4PM. Vaccinations offered are flu, pneumonia, shingles and tetanus.  Click here to register and schedule appointment. Two forms to complete: patient information form and insurance form. Questions? Walmart Pharmacy, Leland 910-383-1302.

The Board is soliciting candidates who have an interest in serving on the St. James Fire Department Board of Directors. Candidates must be 18 years of age and live in or own property in the St. James Fire District. There are three open positions this year that must be filled. If you qualify and are interested in running for one of these open positions, please forward a resume outlining your experience and qualifications, no later than Friday, October 7. Elections will be held on Friday, November 11 at the St. James Fire Department, Station #1, on St. James Drive from 10AM-5PM. Click here for additional information on resume submission and absentee voting.

The State Board of Elections has set the early voting schedule for Brunswick County. There will be voting every day during the early voting period from Thursday, October 20–Saturday, November 5. Click here for schedule and locations. For additional information about early voting, visit the early voting page.

On Thursday, September 29 kayakers will paddle this short 3 mile loop with the rising tide most of the way. Those wanting to extend the distance will have the option mid-point by paddling against the tide as a challenge. Be on the water from the EZ Dock launch by 9AM. Use SE 31st St., Oak Island in the GPS, and then head to the water.

On Monday, October 3 will be our annual lunch paddle to Provision Company in Holden Beach. It is a 5 mile out and back along the ICW. Meet at the end of Kings Lynn Drive on Oak Island and be on the water by 2PM from the sandy beach launch. A late lunch will be halfway and if we’re lucky, we will have the tide working for us in both directions. Use (The Point Parking, Oak Island, NC) in your GPS. You should be able to exit and enter your kayak from the floating dock at Provisions.

By popular request, Dr. David Webster will return on Tuesday, October 4, 7PM in our St. James Community Center to present our 'Sea Turtles'. Dr. Webster returns after his very informative session on 'Snakes' in April. He is a UNCW Professor of Biology and Curator of Mammals among many other very exciting experiences and research efforts. A session to enjoy. We are very fortunate to have him return for our Speaker Series. This event is hosted by The St James Conservancy, our new nonprofit.  https://www.stjamesconservancy.org

The St. James Service Club will hold Thrill of the Hunt II on Friday, October 7 from 1-4:30PM and on Saturday, October 8 from 10AM-2PM at the St. James Community Center. This jewelry and accessory fundraiser will feature new or gently used jewelry (fine, vintage, artisan/designer and fashion jewelry), handbags and other accessories donated by the St. James community. Free admission and open to the public. So come shop for your new treasures, bid on silent auction items including some gift certificates from local businesses, and buy one or more grab bags ($5 cash) for a chance each day to win $100 in gift certificates to a popular restaurant.  Credit/debit cards accepted with minimum $25 purchase. For more information follow this link https://sjserviceclub.org/

Calling all animal, music, and/or dance lovers to save Thursday, October 13 from 5-9PM at Woodland’s Amphitheatre for Furr Jam 2022. Mike’s Garage Band has generously donated the great music for a concert benefiting SOAR and the medical fund at your county shelter. Gather a group of neighbors/friends and come out for dinner and fun. Bring your chair and favorite libation. Bring $$ for 50/50 and Cooper’s Bar-B-Q Haven. This is truly an opportunity for double your pleasure/double your fun. Your donation will support two local shelters and all those adorable pets looking for forever homes.Wristbands are $10 - cash only. Sale dates at St. James Community Center: Wednesday, September 28, 10-Noon; and Thursday, October 6, 3-5PM. Click here for a flyer with more information. Questions? Kendra, 239-841-3982. Hope to see everyone there.

Interested in sharing seeds from your garden? Reserve Saturday, October 22 from 10-11AM to attend a seed sharing event at Woodlands Park small pavilion. Bring

seeds (at least 10 per envelope or baggie) clearly labeled with plant name, year collected, height and sun/shade requirements. Seed collection from donors begins at 10AM and swap runs from 10:15-11AM. For every packet you bring, you get to take a packet. All seeds left over will be available to take by everyone. Woodlands Gardens will be sharing: Rattlesnake Master, Tropical and Tuberosa Milkweeds, Marigold, Murasaki Morning Glory, Annual Pink Salvia, Red Thai Roselle and many more. Questions? GardensStJames@gmail.com.

Save the date reminder: St. James residents, come celebrate the USMC birthday on Sunday, November 6 with dinner at the St. James Members Club:

• 6-6:30PM Cocktails
• 6:30PM Ceremony and Dinner
• Marine Reserve Color Guard
• CMC Birthday Video
• Formal Cake Cutting Ceremony
• Memorabilia Table

Mark your calendars and join us to celebrate the Corps’ birthday. Anyone can attend; former Marines, families of a Marine, any of our Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard brothers in arms, and simply anyone who is a patriot and friend of the Corps. Click here for an information flyer. For reservation information, Jack Lavelle, jjlavelle0302@gmail.com; 518-588-6138.

With the Holidays right around the corner, the POA Activities Committee is sponsoring 'Pairing Your Holiday Meals with Wine' on Thursday, November 10 at the St. James Community Center from 7–9PM.  Wilmington’s Wine Gal, Amanda Leese, will conduct a casual tasting on a 4-course meal. Taste two suggested wines for each course; one 'traditional' pairing and one 'alternative' pairing.  Four courses: appetizer, turkey or fish, brisket or prime rib, dessert. Enjoy charcuterie boards made by St. James resident JoEllen McMullan while tasting. This event is open to only 50 participants. Price $35pp (checks only). Purchase tickets, limit 2 per person, at the Community Center on Thursday, October 6 from 3–5PM. Questions? Susan Perrette, joensuep@aol.com.

The St. James Plantation POA Activities Committee is offering a holiday bus trip on Wednesday, November 30 to experience the #1 Christmas Show in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. Alabama Theater’s, Merriest Christmas Show, brings a combination of talent, scenery and special effects to produce a spectacular new holiday musical experience sure to put you in the season’s spirit. Also featured is comedic juggler, Slim Chance, who will put a new twist on the Christmas season. Celebrate Christmas with your family and friends. Cost of the trip is $105 per person which includes the bus trip, admission, and snacks on the bus. Register by Friday, September 30 and learn more about this trip, by visiting https://www.tripsbypatty.com/sjp-holiday-theater-trip.html. This trip sells out quickly.

Entertainment and Food at the King Mackerel Tournament

The 44^th Annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will be held Thursday, September 29 through Saturday, October 1 at Brunswick County’s Dutchman Creek Park. The U.S. Open is one of the largest king mackerel tournaments on the east coast of the United States and part of the Southern Kingfish Association Tournament Trail.  

The tournament will have entertainment at Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport. On Thursday, September 29 Nowcat will play 4-7PM and on Saturday, October 1 Salty Dawgs will play from 4:30-7:30PM. Food will also be available with SeaDogs serving hot dogs with all the fixings on Thursday and Friday.  Wallace Catering will be serving fish, shrimp, chicken, seafood gumbo, and BBQ on Saturday.  More information. 

The program on Tuesday, October 4 examines how soldiers with diverse backgrounds and behavior can shape their lives when in the heat of battle. Guest speaker Sarah Bierle, managing editor for Emerging Civil War, shares these contrasts about two soldiers on opposite sides of the battlefield in her presentation entitled, 'A Tale of Two Artillerymen: Robert Beckham and Justin Dimick at Chancellorsville.' The meeting will be held at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach. Registration begins at 6:15PM and program starts at 7PM. The visitor fee is $10, can include a spouse, and can be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues. For more information, John Butler, Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com; 404-229-9425. You can also visit their new website https://brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com/

Come celebrate the fall season at the Wild Horse Preserve at Grayce Wynds. Every Sunday in October from 2-4PM, we will open our doors for Ponies and Pumpkins. Admission is $12 which includes a pumpkin. hayrides, pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, pony petting, pony rides, professional family photographs, pizza dinner, and fun time in the Wild Horse Village. Click here for the flyer. See you soon.

The First Friday Art Walk in October will feature 4 artists demonstrating upstairs at Franklin Square Gallery. Between 5-7PM visitors can watch Chris Sutherland demonstrating watercolors with pen and ink, Deb Voso working with pouring, Carol Kidd showing how to paint silk scarves, and Pren Halladay demonstrating how to paint wet-on-wet watercolor skies. Downstairs refreshments will be served while visitors view the show.

Friday, October 7, 5-7PM, 130 E. West St.

The popular Day in the Yard program begins Monday, October 10. For the cost of $75, you will receive seven on-line sessions on gardening in Zone 8 and learn lots about how to be successful in our coastal North Carolina environment. Registration is now open at Day in the Yard Registration: Eventbrite. Also note that all of the 2022 Day in the Yard participants will be invited to fill slots first in our popular House Calls program next spring. For more information click here.

Get your tickets today for the Southport Woman’s Club 2022 Fall Fashion Show. This biannual event is Friday, October 21 at the St. James Community Center from 2-4PM. Doors open at 1:15PM. It will feature fabulous local fashions from Boo & Roo’s, The Pearl, Lexi B’s Boutique, Shoefly in Cat on a Whisk, Ropa Etc and Sedona South. Great raffles, door prizes and light refreshments. Tickets are $25 each. For tickets contact: Fran Fudali, 201-394-7902, mrsfrf1@gmail.com; Nadine Norton, 703-200-4335, nenorton9@gmail.com; or Roxie Smith, 917-993-0447, rrs20@columbia.edu. Proceeds from the event benefit local scholarships and charities. 

The Southport Garden Club annual Live Wreath and Greenery Sale is underway. The Club has again partnered with an award-winning company in western North Carolina to supply beautiful items. Despite a national shortage of live Christmas trees and greenery, the supplier has made assurances they will be able to provide high quality items. Proceeds from the sale support Southport Garden Club gardens, downtown planter boxes, community garden food-share program and various community outreach projects. Order form and information is available at southportgardenclub.org. The order deadline is Friday, October 28. Delivery will be Friday, November 18, 4-6PM and Saturday, November 19, 9-11AM at 702 N. Howe Street (the gray building with buoys). A variety of beautiful handmade bows will be for sale at pickup.

Power Walking Ministries is sponsoring a tennis shoe drive during the months of September and October. This will help them continue to fulfill shoe requests from school guidance counselor as the weather changes. Due to rising inflation, they expect those requests to rise. The Southport Shoe Show located in the Tidewater Shopping Plaza (where Walmart is located) will have a small Christmas tree with sneaker tags with gender/age/shoe size printed on them. Just take a tag and purchase a pair of shoes. Donations of socks and gift cards are also appreciated. Questions? Valerie Kolhoff, 440-281-1442; val.kolhoff@icloud.com.

Oak Island Water Rescue(OIWR) is a volunteer, non-profit, tax-deductible 501c(3) water rescue organization based in Oak Island. So far this year they have responded to approximately 50 calls, a far greater  number than last year. While they receive a portion of their operating budget from the city and county, not all operating costs are covered. They will be holding the first OIWR Golf Outing on Saturday, November 19 at the Oak Island Golf Club. It will be a shot gun start with four person teams, mulligans, raffles and several contests throughout the day. Golfers will be provided with lunch and awards. They are looking for volunteers and players. Click here for the application for the outing. Additional information at  https://oiwr.org. Questions? Staceysaveth@gmail.com.

Saturdays 6:30-8:30PM, Middleton Park Amphitheater

• October 1: Back Porch Rockers
• October 8: Johnny & the Flipside Band
• October 15: Lockwood River Band

The 2nd Annual Capt. Austin Murga St. James golf outing was held on September 7 and raised $55,000 to support Stop Soldier Suicide. The event was held on the 2nd year anniversary of his death due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suicide. Ten days later, the Cape Fear Chapter of Blue Star Mothers, raised $28,500 and are also donating all proceeds to Stop Soldier Suicide. The event titled Banding Together 4 Blue Star Mothers was held in Woodlands Park and featured three St. James-based bands. Sadly, over 120,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001 compared to 6,817 service member deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Click here for the press release.

Thank you to the extraordinary speakers, outstanding 26 exhibitors, attendees, and St. James Conservancy volunteers for making this event so successful. We also appreciate our Mayor for giving our new nonprofit, St. James Conservancy this opportunity. Special thanks also to Steve Brennan, Community Center Manager and his staff for providing this 'First Class' conference center facility. Our speakers on energy related issues (BEMC and Duke Energy) provided a wealth of information on our Nuclear Plant plus preparations for storm events as well as best environmental practices. An update on our 42% of St. James held in North Atlantic Land Trusts was covered along with the unique geographical and plant life features that we are gifted with here in St. James. Exhibitors covered many areas of conservation, environmental, and wildlife issues including 5-tables featuring our strong partnership with UNCW.

September 27: SJ NEST Speaker Series, SJCC, 3-4:30PM

September 28: American Legion Post 543 Membership Meeting, SJCC, 7PM

September 28: Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament, Carolina National GC

September 29: Country Western Dance, Woodlands Pavilion, 5-9PM

September 29: U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament

September 29: Little Davis Lazy Canal Paddle-St. James Kayakers

September 30: Paws Place Trivia, Brunswick Center Southport, 5-7:30PM

October 1: Town of St. James Paper Shredding Event

October 1: Salty Dawgs, Dutchman’s Creek Park, 4:30-7:30PM

October 3: Relay for Life Luminary Walk, Woodlands Park, 6-7:30PM

October 3: Holder Provisions Paddle-St. James Kayakers

October 4: Brunswick County Health Services Vaccination, SJCC

October 4: UNCW Speaker Series on 'Sea Turtles', SJCC

October 4: Brunswick Civil War Round Table, Hatch Auditorium, 7PM

October 6: Dosher Hospital Drug Take Back

October 7 & 8: Thrill of the Hunt-2, SJCC

October 7: First Friday Art Walk, Franklin Square Gallery, 5-7

October 8: Sacred Heart Ladies Guild Fall Craft Bazaar

October 10: Day in the Yard Virtual Class Begins

October 11: Brunswick County Health Services Vaccinations, SJCC

October 12: Duke Power Plant Siren Test - Annual Test (3 minutes)

October 12: St. James Service Club Non-Profit Showcase, SJCC, 10AM

October 13: Furr Jam, Woodlands Amphitheatre, 5-9PM

October 14: Walmart of Leland Vaccination Clinic, SJCC

October 15: POA Annual Meeting, SJCC, 11AM. Doors open 9:30AM.

October 15: BNI Trade Expo, Salty Dawgs, Woodlands Park, 4-8PM

October 19: St. James Garden Club, St. James Community Center, 10AM

October 21: Shaggers Annual Golf Tournament

October 21: Southport Woman’s Club Fall Fashion Show, SJCC, 2-4PM

October 22: Kiwanis Big Toy Day

October 22: Woodlands Garden Seed Swap, 

October 22: OKI Live & Local, Salty Dawgs, Middleton Park, 6-8PM

October 23: New Hope Clinic Fundraiser

October 23: St. James Chapel Annual Walk

October 25: UNCW Speaker Series, SJCC

October 26: American Legion Post 543 Membership Meeting, SJCC, 7PM

October 27: Land and Sea Feast, (formerly Clambake), Woodlands Pavilion

October 27: 14th Annual Oysterfest Dinner, UNCW Speakers, Members Club

November 2: POA Activities Talent Show - St. James Has Talent

November 3: Oyster Reef Build at Waterway Park (rescheduled from October 6)

November 6: US Marine Corps Birthday Celebration 

November 8: UNCW Speaker Series; SJCC

November 11: SJFD Board of Directors Elections

November 10: Pairing Holiday Meals with Wine, SJCC

November 13: 50th Anniversary Party, Members Club, 5PM

November 13: Activities Committee 'Afternoon Bowling', Planet Fun, 12:30PM

November 15: POA Open Board Meeting, SJCC, 4PM

November 15: St. James Garden Club, St. James Community Center, 10AM

November 15: SJ NEST Speaker Series, SJCC, 3-4:30PM

November 15: St. James Conservancy Speaker Series, SJCC

November 19: Oak Island Rescue Golf Tournament, Oak Island Golf Club

November 30: Alabama Theater Bus Trip 

December 1 & 2: Thalian Hall Christmas Show

December 7 & 8: St. James Holiday Home Tour

December 9 & 10: Holiday Festival, SJCC

December 9: Brookgreen Gardens Bus Trip

December 11: Brunswick Concert Band Christmas Season Concert, 3PM

December 18: Christmas PaJAMa Party, SJCC

December 20: St. James Garden Club, St. James Community Center, 10AM

January 17: St. James Garden Club, St. James Community Center, 10AM

January 24: SJ NEST Speaker Series, SJCC, 3-4:30PM