Community

Mulberry Park offers a multitude of benefits

Jennifer Gerrald, owner of JLG Finery & Winery at the Next Generation building on U.S. 17, Sunset Beach, N.C., holds Jasmine, 2, to display the dog collars she makes. “They won’t choke the dog or slip off,” Gerrald says. “They are the most humane collars.”
Jennifer Gerrald, owner of JLG Finery & Winery at the Next Generation building on U.S. 17, Sunset Beach, N.C., holds Jasmine, 2, to display the dog collars she makes. “They won’t choke the dog or slip off,” Gerrald says. “They are the most humane collars.” Jo Ann Mathews

A visit to Mulberry Park in Shallotte, N.C., reveals an environment that invites people to appreciate the outdoors, spend time with family and friends and enjoy the amenities it has available.

Saturday mornings vendors display their wares at the Farmers Market. Homegrown fruits and vegetables, handmade jewelry, pillows, humane dog collars, soaps, honey, bird houses and a variety of other products are sold.

Among the items Oliver Schneider makes are oyster and skinner knives complete with leather sheaths. He says he designs and makes everything by hand and explains how he made his cell phone pouch with extra slots for other items and how he made a leather purse for his wife. “Each item is uniquely made,” says his wife, Krista. Jennifer Gerrald of JLG Finery & Winery displays a wide assortment of dog collars she makes and adds that she teaches jewelry making classes and holds jewelry parties, including those for children. “The collars won’t choke the dog or slip off,” she says. “They are the most humane collars.”

Charlotte Finch, owner and baker of Joe’s Mom’s Travel Snacks, sells bags and jars of gourmet nut blends. “They have no artificial flavors or preservations,” says husband Bob Finch.

Tommy Cee makes fascinating signs like “The Witch is In” and “Beware of Pirates,” Heather Price creates ceramic pieces and Andrea Dail is back with her goat’s milk Aja’s Naturals skin products.

“We are always accepting new vendors,” says Rachel Johnson, Farmers Market manager. “We have room to grow.”

The park has other attractions as well. The picnic shelter, which can be reserved, holds 10 tables, perfect for a family gathering. Close by is the fenced-in playground, which concentrates on fitness and exercise and includes the safe, fun equipment children enjoy. The amphitheater is the home of SummerFest Concert and Movie Series. Every Thursday through Aug. 11 either a movie is shown or a concert held at the terraced area where people can sit on the grass or on the cement slabs. The community garden already has a waiting list for 2017. The white fence enclosing Leonard Cemetery dating back to 1865 is perfect for history buffs, and the native plant garden offers a chance to study local flora. Visitors have ample space to park and to wander on foot. Benches provide resting areas.

Mulberry Park is a welcome addition to Brunswick County.

What | Farmers Market and Summerfest at Mulberry Park

Where | 123 Mulberry Street (behind businesses on Main Street), Shallotte, N.C.

When | Farmers Market, 8 a.m.- noon Saturdays through Sept. 10; Summerfest concerts start at 6:30 p.m., movies at dusk, Thursdays through Aug. 11

Cost | Free admission

Contact | 910-754- 4032, rjohnson@townofshallotte.org, www.townofshallotte.org

Details | Park open dawn to dusk; dogs welcome on leash, owners pickup waste

Other events on the North Strand

BOB HOPE: AN AMERICAN TREASURE

What | Exhibit of more than 170 artifacts, 200 photos and seven video displays until Aug. 31

Where | North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum, 799 2 nd Ave. N, NMB

When |10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Tues. & Fri.; 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Wed., Thurs., Sat.; noon-4 p.m. Sun. Closed Mon.

Cost | 13-59, $10; 60+, students and military with I.D., $8; 5-12, $6; 4 and under, free

Contact | 427-7668, HistoryAndMore@nmbmuseum.com, www.northmyrtlebeachmuseum.com

OCEAN ISLE MEMORIES

What | Art exhibit by internationally acclaimed Texas artist John Ross Palmer through Sept. 5

Where | Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

When | 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sat. Closed Sun.

Cost | 13-61, $9; 62+, $8; 3-12, $7; 2 and under, free

Contact | 910-579- 1016, minfo@museumplanetarium.org, www.museumplanetarium.org

BEACH PARTY/SOCK HOP

Where | Brunswick Senior Center, 3620 Express Dr., Shallotte, N.C.

When | 6-10 p.m. July 9

Cost | $12 per person, tickets at all 10 Brunswick Senior Resource centers

Contact | 910-754- 2300, dmarlowe@bsrinc.org, www.bsrinc.org

Details | Live music with Mike’s Garage Band; chance to win four day passes to Disneyworld; hot dogs, hamburgers, root beer floats, wine and beer available

STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

What | Learn ways to de-stress your life

Where | Family First Health Center, 4911 Bridgers Road, Shallotte, N.C.

When | 5:30-6 p.m. July 12

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-755- 5483, familyfirstchiro@atmc.net, www.family1chiropractic.net

COASTAL SHAG CLUB DANCE

What | Dance the shag, line dance, waltzes and two-steps

Where | Moose Lodge, 253 Holden Beach Road, Shallotte, N.C.

When | 6:30-10 p.m. July 16

Cost | all shag club members, $5; guest, $8

Contact | www.coastalshagclub.org

Details | 50/50 raffle

CANNING CLASSES

What | Learn to can fresh homegrown or store bought produce

Where | Cooperative Extension office, Brunswick County Government Complex, 25 Referendum Drive, Bolivia, N.C.

When | July 15 & 29; Aug. 5 & 26

Cost | $8 per class or $25 for all four; includes canned products

Contact | Must register in advance, 910-253- 2610, gina_britton@ncsu.edu

Details | Classes are Basics of Food Preservation, Pressure Canning, Jams & Jellies and Pickling.

SMOOTHIE NIGHT

What | Learn to make healthy smoothies for all meals

Where | Family First Health Center, 4911 Bridgers Road, Shallotte, N.C.

When | 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 26

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-755- 5483, familyfirstchiro@atmc.net, family1chiropractic.net

Details | Tasting samples, take-home recipes

MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS ANSWER GARDENING AND LAWN QUESTIONS

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 9 a.m.- noon Tuesdays

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575- 0173, email: Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov

Details | Free soil sampling available

CAREGIVER & COFFEE CLINIC

What | Support group and conversations

Where | SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, N.C.

When | Third Monday of month

Cost | Free

Contact | Haylie Long, 910-515- 5038, email: Haylie.long@lcfh.org

Details | Offers caregivers encouragement and support; those attending share experiences

SUPPORT GROUP FOR STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS

What | The public is invited to attend the group with Karol Asbjornson as facilitator

Where | Seaside United Methodist Church, 1300 Seaside Road, Sunset Beach, N.C.

When | 1:30 p.m. 2 nd Thursday of each month

Cost | Free, no reservations required

Contact | Karol, 910-575- 2452

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Mulberry Park offers a multitude of benefits."

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