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The Keeper's Times
The Old Baldy Foundation Community Newsletter
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Old Baldy Hours of Operation
Starting Tuesday, 5/31
Monday- Saturday 9-5
Sunday 11-5
(Last Climb at 4:30)
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Rainfall and storms could not wash away Bald Head's 4th of July Spirit!
This beloved island tradition is always a highlight of our year at Old Baldy. Upwards of 100 golf carts are decked out in festive decor to parade arouond the island for the community to enjoy !
This year, we were met with a suprise thunder storm just as the carts lined up to commence the parade. Join us in giving Public Safety a HUGE thank you for steping in to determine a safe way and time to proceed. We were thrilled to see that almost all of the participants waited out the storm with us and the festivties were not ruined.
Thank you too the Bald Head Island community for being why this event is so meaningful! We can't wait to do it again year (without the surprise storm)!
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Upcoming: July Historic Happy exlploring WWI on Bald Head Island
July 28th 5:30 PM
Our next Historic Happy Hour of 2022 will be on Wednesday, July 28th at 5:30 pm on the Old Baldy grounds. Tickets at $15 and include beer and wine. Please bring beach chairs and blankets for seating. Read on to learn about the subject for our next happy hour:
On Saturday, August 10, 1918, a report was transmitted from the Coast Guard Station on Smith Island to the U.S. Naval Command. The island, known to locals as Bald Head Island, was under attack. Five persons, including the wife of Captain Charlie Swan, had succumbed to an unidentified gas, thought to have come from a German U-boat. The U.S. military downplayed the report, and the war ended before a full investigation could be completed. Yet more than 100 years later the stories persist about a mysterious wartime assault on the island's inhabitants. Join Southport Historical Society President Liz Fuller as she describes several little-known attacks by German u-boats off North Carolina's shores during the summer of 1918, and as she offers a possible explanation for the mystery of the WWI "gas attack" on Bald Head.
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A Living History Happy Hour
The United States Life-Saving Service (1871-1915) was the sister organization of the U.S. Lighthouse Service. But it is now one of the least-known, yet most inspirational aspects in all of American history. In its 44-year history, the brave surf men known nationally as the “Storm Warriors” and the “Angels in Oilskins,” using no more than small, open, wooden boats and cork life belts, often in violent and dangerous storms, they responded to over 178,000 lives in peril from shipwrecks…of which they saved, OVER 177,000; yet, somehow, America forgot these peaceful heroes. Keeper James Charlet will share the ultra-dramatic story of the most-highly awarded maritime rescue in U.S. history from his new book and hint at a few more!
Heavy Hors D'oeuvres, craft cocktails, fresh beer from Flying Machine Brewery & wine will be served to complement the program! Every guest will receive a special take home gift to remember the event!
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The North Carolina Marketplace Returns in conjunction with Run for the Light
Sunday, August 7th
1-4pm
We are thrilled to bring back our NC Marketplace as part of National Lighthouse Weekend. Islanders rave about having Lighthouse Wynd lined with vendors offering homemade goods! Delicious smells and beautiful creations are Old Baldy's backdrop for this afternoon event.
Are you a local maker and interested in being a vendor for the event?
Reach out events@oldbaldy.org to learn more!
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The 6th Annual Run for the Light 5k/10k
Sunday, August 7th 6pm
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Our annual race is a scenic run near coastal dunes and through the maritime forest on Bald Head Island, NC.
Enjoy the sweeping views while running at dusk toward the light of The Old Baldy Lighthouse.
Make your participation in this race an entire day trip your whole family can enjoy by taking part in an afternoon festival celebrating National Lighthouse Day featuring games, crafts, music, bbq, beer and more! Details will be released in the coming weeks- stay tuned!
This event is perfect to showcase one of North Carolina’s most beautiful beaches and historic sites– it will be one to mark off your bucket list!
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Book Feature:
Join us as we discuss
The Story of Cape Fear and Bald Head Island
July’s Book of the Month is The Story of Cape Fear and Bald Head Island by Kevin P. Duffus. Join our educator, Jake Grossman, as he delves into the fascinating history of our area.
This beautiful full color coffee table book is a must for history enthusiasts. Spanning 500 years of history, "The Story of Cape Fear and Bald Head Island" is an evocative panorama of the past viewed from the sandy shores of one of America's most unique islands and capes. This meticulously researched chronicle presents a cavalcade of unforgettable characters - explorers, colonists, pirates, lighthouse keepers, Civil War soldiers and river pilots, lifesavers, and speculators and ecologists - men and women who have shaped the cultural heritage of an incomparable place.
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John and Kim Gottshall
John and Doreen Fairbank
Marianna and Slaughter Fitz-Hugh
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