Brunswick Stew Cook-Off, February 6, 2010

It's always fun to try a new festival and this Marge and I headed out to Shallotte to the Brunswick Stew Cook-Off. Held today on the grounds of the Rourk Woods subdivision, this annual event is organized by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. Marge and I were only able to go for an hour or so but in that time we saw some old friends, said hello to some recent acquaintances, and met some good cooks!

You can look below for a poster that describes the origin and history of Brunswick Stew, and, if that's not the way it really was, it's the way it should have been. Today Brunswick Stew generally has chicken, vegetables, sauce, seasonings and what ever else the cooks dream up to make their stew unique and tasty. The Cook-Off competition works like this: you pay $5 for six tickets; exchange each ticket at one of the 20 odd booths for a cup of stew, a plastic spoon and napkin and maybe piece of some type of bread (the variety was impressive) and hot sauce if you wish. Later on you vote for your favorite by putting colored tickets (one for best stew, one for best presentation). The award categories are for best stew in booths from media, nonprofits, individuals and restaurants.

Here's Marge sampling stew at one of the most fancy of the booths.


Marge with BCCC Events Director Megan Masser.

Linda Stinson of Patriot Management Systems, BCCC Executive Director Cathy Altman, Marge, and in the background with the New York Yankees cap, Billy Noble of Nobles Landscaping.

Same group as above with the addition of Chris Tyler of Carolina Tents and Events.

Cathy Altman and me.


Marge talking with one of the individual booth entrants.

The Purple Onion Cafe (a popular restaurant in Shallotte) had an attractive booth.


There were a few nonfood booths, this one sold handcrafted waterbirds made from PVC!

A look at the main venue.

The VFW entry was an award winner in the past I my tongue and tummy can attest that they know their stew!

This blow up attraction did its job, attracting kids.

A colorful line of booth tents.


A band was scheduled to start at noon but we had to leave prior to their arrival.

Here's the poster that explains how it all started. If you click on the image you should see a larger, more readable version.

Lancaster Farm had a huge cast iron pot of stew. I got to stir it with a canoe paddle.

Here's a closer look at the Lancaster Farm stew.

And one more of the proud stew stirrer.

This was where we voted for best stew.

Finally, a couple more shots of various booths at the Cook-Off.




It was a a little chilly (in the upper 40s) so the hot stew was wonderful and I didn't try one I didn't like (I sampled 9 in all). One had a mustardy flavor, one I was sure had curry, and others tasted like the best homemade stew most of us have ever had. Overall it was a fun time for a good cause. We'll be back next year.

ADT Ribbon-Cutting 2-3-2010

ADT just joined the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce so of course we had a ribbon cutting. A nice crowd showed up for the mid-week mid-morning event.

Below the group assembles, getting ready for the cut. That's our host Nick Arbia of ADT with the big scissors in the middle.

The office entrance. It isn't really a place where many customers go so you get very little sense of how large it is inside, but it goes on and on, at least 3,000 square feet place warehouse space.


Nick with North Brunswick Chamber Executive Director Terry Grillo.

Admin Katie McDonald and ADT Custom Home Rep Nick Thomas in the reception area.

Joyce Edwards and UNCW intern Daniella Martinez of Nancy Hall Publications.

Sandy Anthony of Welcome Services, Inc. and Tim Delia of AFLAC.


Joyce Ewards again, this time with Morgan Harper of the State Port Pilot.

Joyce (on the left) and board member Jeff Harvell of Lighthouse Publications.

Nick went into teaching mode for just a few minutes. A good guy, he's clearly passionate about his company and his job.

People watching the presentation from the door are Scott Reeves of Azalea Plaza, board member Justin Williams (with the camera) of NBM and SBM magazines, NBCC president George Murray of Murray Framing, and Terry Grillo.


Nick in profile. But check out all the plugs on the wall on the lower right. For a geeky guy like me, this is a presentation room to covet. (It's a nerd-thing, you might not understand.)

Photographer Bob Baer with his new Bluetooth phone on a lanyard and Franklin Rouse of State Farm Insurance.

And now, to end the suspense, yes indeed, the ribbon was cut!!

We had a good time, good donuts (with powdered sugar all over the carpeting to prove it) and welcome ADT and Nick to NBCC.

NC Oyster Festival 2009

Today Marge and I drove to Ocean Isle to the annual Ocean Festival sponsored by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. We got there fairly early and were able to park (for a small fee) in a lot right by the ocean, so it sure was convenient.

Here's a view from the stairs that cross the dunes to the beach itself, back to the site of the Oyster Festival.



There was live music on hand and plenty of great food booths. On a friend's recommendation we had Shrimp and Grits from Causeway Gourmet and Cinnamon Cashews from Artisan Munchies and both went down fast, easy, and pleasurably!

There were many Brunswick County organizations with booths and a lot of craft booths. We enjoyed looking at the work in many of the booths, along with a rapidly growing crowd (we arrived a bit before noon).



In particular, however, we were looking for Pleasant Springs Pottery, from Perkasie, PA. Our friend Bebe Poor and her husband Alfred came down specifically for this show and we're big fans of her work.

In the photo below you can see Marge (in the bright green sweater) talking with Bebe, sitting in at the back of the booth in a heavy coat - it was a bit brisk this uncharacteristically cool weekend.



As you can see in the photo below, Bebe sells expertly crafted pottery with cool beach colors in practical forms and all at very reasonable prices. If you'd like to see more of her work, and even buy some, check out her website at www.pleasantspringspottery.com.



After leaving the festival, with full bellies and a bag of Bebe's work for Christmas gifts, we spent a few minutes back on the dune bridge looking at the water.



We looked to the left to the fishing pier.


And down the beach to the south.


Once again we were reminded how lucky we are to be in area with so many beautiful places, fun events, amazing food, and good friends.