October 2023
IN THIS ISSUE: Welcome / Monthly Review / Contributions / News & Notices / Coming Events / SPECIAL FORMAT CHANGE NOTICE / Photo Review
Welcome to October
WELCOME to the October 2023 edition of THE CURRENT. According to an old legend we made up two years ago, on a full moon in October, when the ocean is quiet and the dunes undisturbed, if you stand on the beach and listen closely, carefully, you can hear them. That is, the faint whisper of every barista and baker within a five mile radius saying "pumpkin spice" ... "pumpkin spice" ... "PUMPIKIN SPICE!"
While the rest of society may be interested with infusing pumpkin spice into everything from lattes to lounge chairs, it's important to remember that here in the Cape Fear region, an 85° October day is not uncommon. By that same token however, Oak Island does live up to its namesake, with some of the most beautiful examples of coastal fall foliage on the east coast.
So whether your idea of an ideal autumn involves raking leaves or combing sand, you're covered either way! The key thing to remember is that even though temperatures are starting to fall, the number of exciting events and activities is not. So grab your pumpkin spice sunblock, and your jack-o-lantern cooler, and let's float on down the OCTOBER edition of THE CURRENT.
MONTHLY REVIEW
REMINDER: Information on all news items can be found on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.gov/NEWS.
Council Meeting Recap
The Town Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed Text Amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance - Section 10.24 Signs Not Requiring a Permit - Temporary Signs at Middleton and Veterans Park: Council amended the proposal to make it apply to all Town property, and it passed unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS: (1) Trees to Seas Award: Council presented Clarissa Cope, of Oak Island Angels, with the award. (2) U.S. Coast Guard Senior Chief Logan Atkinson, Station Oak Island, introduced himself and spoke about the work the Coast Guard does; his comments will be summarized in the Minutes. (3) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: The presentation will be summarized in the Minutes. Council also took action to approve an Agreement with the Corps for a Reevaluation Study (to participate in federal beach nourishment). (4) Fire Prevention Week (October 8-14, 2023): Mayor White read from the Proclamation. (5) Planning Department Update (no enclosure): Planning Director Matt Kirkland gave a presentation on the Planning Department’s activities for the past year; the presentation will be summarized in the Minutes.
ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: The Closed Session was removed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Will be summarized in the Meeting Minutes; and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
COUNCIL REPORTS (MAYOR & COUNCIL): Will be summarized in the Meeting Minutes; and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: (1) Approval of Parks & Recreation Advisory Board's Recommendation to Appoint a Youth Member: Council approved the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board’s recommendation to approve Addison Walters as the youth member.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Department reports are available on the Town's website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/DEPT and will be summarized in the Meeting Minutes.
OLD BUSINESS: (1)Consideration of Contract for 20th Street Crossover Repairs: Council approved the contract.
NEW BUSINESS: (1) Consideration of a Resolution Affirming the Oak Island Town Council's Support Regarding Implementation of a Compliant NPDES MS4 Stormwater Program: Council unanimously approved the Resolution. (2) Consideration of Paying off the FEMA Gap Funding (Special Obligation Bond): Council approved staff’s recommendation to pay off the bond.
CLOSED SESSION was removed from the agenda, and council voted to adjourn at 8:20 PM. To view the video, agenda, and minutes for any Town Council meeting, just visit the Meetings Information page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/MEETINGS, or click the link below.
2023 Candidates Forum
On Thursday, October 5, 2023, the Town Hall served as host for the 2023 Community Candidates Forum, presented by the League of Women Voters. The forum provided voters with an opportunity to hear from candidates currently running for the open positions of Town Councilmember.
While the forum had a live audience in attendance, it was also livestreamed over YouTube on a dedicated page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/FORUM.
Roughly 100 people attended in person, with the livestream reaching a peak of 318 viewers, and a constant stream of approximately 110.
The following day on Friday, October 6, the recorded version (free of noted audio delay issues in the livestream), was uploaded to this same page, and can now be viewed at www.OakIslandNC.gov/FORUM or by clicking the link below.
PLEASE NOTE: This forum was NOT coordinated, sponsored, or endorsed by the Town of Oak Island. It is the sole production of the League of Women Voters, and all information requests should be directed to the League. For more information on candidates, polling locations, or voting accommodations, visit the Brunswick County Board of Elections website at brunswickcountync.gov/elections.
Hazard Mitigation Plan: Progress Report Now Available
On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, the Town received the results of an annual review from its contracted specialist with the Community Rating System (CRS). As a final step in the review process, the Town has now completed and published an Annual Progress Report for the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). Previously linked above, the report can also be found on the Hazard Mitigation Plan page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/HMP.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a multi-jurisdictional plan which is maintained and updated at 5-year regular intervals. Hazard mitigation plans are prepared and adopted by communities with the primary purpose of identifying, assessing, and reducing the long-term risk to life and property from hazard events. Effective mitigation planning can break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation plans can address a range of natural and human-caused hazards.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires local governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. Hazard mitigation works to reduce loss of life and property by reducing the impacts of disasters. Through effective mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation strategies greater risk reduction can be achieved.
For general information on Hazard Mitigation Planning or Risk Assessment, CLICK HERE to visit the Risk Management page of the FEMA website. For questions on the Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town of Oak Island, contact the Planning Department at 910-278-5024 or use the Department Contact form found on their page at www.OakIslandNC.gov/PL or click the link below.
Beach Drive Speed Limit Raised for Fall / Winter Season
REMINDER: the Speed limit along both East and West Beach Drive has been raised to 45 MPH.
Each year in mid-May, the North Carolina Department of Transportation lowers the speed limit along the Beach Drive to 35mph. This seasonal change help to accommodate the summer swell of visitors and part-time residents, but also has the benefit of allowing Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) to safely and legally travel along the entire beach strand.
However, when the temperatures go down, the speed limit goes back up. Per routine, in mid-September the NCDOT raised the speed limit back to 45mph, to allow for quicker access to some of the more far-reaching areas of Oak Island.
This doesn't mean LSVs are fully cut off though; as Dolphin Drive, Pelican Drive, Kings Lynn Drive, and even a brief stint on Marsh Hen Drive are all viable alternate routes. As always, LSVs can still cross over any 45mph street, so getting to your favorite Beach Access Location is as simple as turning south on the appropriately numbered street.
Are you new to the world of Low Speed Vehicles, or maybe just need a refresher on what is and isn't allowed? No problem! All information on LSVs and Mobility Device Access in Oak Island can be found on the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/LSV, or by clicking the link below.
Successful Start to National Night Out
On Friday, October 6, 2023, the Oak Island Police Department hosted the Town's first-ever National Night Out event.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
Organized locally by the Oak Island Police Department, 2023 marks the Town’s first year hosting an NNO event, so officers went all-out to ensure a memorable evening for all! There efforts did not go unnoticed, as more than 20 different agencies, local business sponsors, non-profits, and community partner organizations joined in to FILL the Middleton Park Complex with activities, food, and fun.
Most all law enforcement agencies within Brunswick County and the branches of the military were represented, with skydiving demonstrations provided by the US Army Golden Knights and the Children of Fallen Heroes Foundation. Bounce houses, live music, free food, and giveaway prizes were also available, as well as safety education materials.
Hundreds of attendees of all ages came out to this community building event, witnessing one of the largest spectacles Oak Island has ever hosted. If you missed out on the fun yourself, be sure to check out the photo gallery and special thank you message posted on the dedicated National Night Out page of the Town Website. Simply visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/NNO or click the link below.
CONTRIBUTIONS
This section features content contributed from various Town Departments, as well as the Town's municipal and non-profit partner organizations. Regular contributing organizations include the Oak Island Fire Department, the Beach Preservation Society, the Friends of Parks Foundation, the Sea Turtle Protection Program, the Friends of the Library, and Oak Island Water Rescue, among others. For more information, please reach out to the contributing organization directly.
Fire Department Safety Brief: Fire Safety Awareness
(Contributed by Timothy Fleckinger) Happy fall everyone from OKI-FD. As most of you may well be aware , October is a fire safety awareness month (and October 8 - 14 is National Fire Prevention Week). We here at OKI-FD would like to provide you with a few helpful tidbits that are part of our usual instruction.
1] This is the time of year where you should be conducting your bi-annual smoke detector test and battery change. If you have recently purchased a new 10-year detector that doesn't require a battery change push the test button to be sure that is operating correctly. Speaking of 10-year detectors, that is the life span of smoke detectors. if yours is 10 years or older it is time to replace them. If you need any assistance in changing the detector or the battery, just give us a call and we'll be happy to come and assist you. You can also schedule an appointment through our Community Connect program.
2] Now is a good time to either review or establish an escape plan in case of a fire. Even if you do not have kids at home, these are great tools to have as they provide a prescribed evacuation plan and meeting point. This also helps us since you can direct our firefighters where to look more quickly when time is of the essence. As for the preplanned meeting point, this may be the first sign you will have that someone may be caught in such a situation.
3] If you do have kids, now is a great time to review the dangers of lighters and matches. This is usually an aged based conversation but I know that some teenagers also need to be reminded.
4] Grease fires are also a topic usually discussed in these times. Although water usually works great on most fires it is not the tool of choice with these. It is best to smother it with a tight-fitting lid, removing the ability of the fire to breathe and grow. If possible, remove the pan from the heat source to begin the cooling process. In any instance call the OKI-FD to follow up as there may be extension in surrounding areas you may be unaware of which we can find with our thermal imager cameras.
As always. OKI-FD hopes everyone had a great summer and get outside to enjoy the cooler days and nights of fall time but do so safely.
To learn more about the Fire Department and how they serve the the residents and visitors of Oak Island, just visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/FD or click the link below.
Beach Ambassadors: 10 Years Strong
(Contributed by Skip Cox) On Friday, September 22, 2023 the Oak Island Beach Ambassadors held their a post-season review and appreciation luncheon. The event gave the all-volunteer staff a chance to review their efforts over the summer season, and reconnect with fellow members they may not have even seen since group orientation back in May.
2023 marks the 10-year anniversary program, which provides volunteer teams from May to September who patrol sections of beach to interact with beachgoers and monitor beach conditions. Their patrols cover about a mile of assigned beach, which are walked on weekends and some days during the week.
During the luncheon (which was a special event to honor the 10th Anniversary) an award of special recognition was given to Lee Butzin who has faithfully served as a Beach Ambassador throughout the entire 10 years of the program.
Throughout the program's history from 2014-2023, Ambassadors conducted 4,000 beach patrols, which totaled 6,400 volunteer hours. This year, with 27 beach ambassadors, there were 523 individual patrols, which accounted for 806 volunteer hours of service to the Town.
Also in 2023, due to updated Town ordinances, there was a concentrated effort to keep the Emergency Vehicles Accesses free and clear of people and beach equipment. This season, 428 relocations were requested out of the emergency access paths. Most were quite happy to relocate and appreciated being made aware of the new reason behind the request. And while 428 is a big number, I should point out that it does NOT include the number of similar movements requested by the Police Department's Beach Services Unit, which itself was in excess of 2,000. So in all we were very successful in addressing this first year of a very important and safety-focused Town ordinance.
To learn more about the Beach Ambassador Program, or how volunteer for next year's season, visit their page of the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society's website at www.beachoki.org/beach-ambassadors, or click the link below.
Friends of The Library: Upcoming Events
(Contributed by Julie Paladino) On Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM the G.V. Barbee Library will host authors Lance Carney and Peter Marzano.
Author Lance Carney is a hospital pharmacist by dayand author by night. He has been writing medical/pharmacy-based fiction since the 1980s. His first novel “Ripped Tide: A Daniel O’Dwyer Oak IslandAdventure” was a 2017 McGrath House Indie BookAward winner for Humor. Ripped from the headlines, Daniel O’Dwyer is doinghis best to survive on his Oak Island paradise. When the pharmacy director of a local hospital is found dead at his desk, O’Dwyer and his sidekick, a deceased King Charlemagne, search for the truth. With old and new quirky characters, “Ripped Current” is the 5th book in Carney’s lighthearted Oak Island mystery series.
Author Peter Marzano enjoyed a career in sales and marketing. He published his first book in 2021 and its sequel in 2022, earning Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards for both. Marzano donates 10% of his book profits to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation. In “Littany of Sorrows,” Karl Von Richter is a young German drafted into Hitler’s madness, just after falling in love with his beautiful nurse Katrina Amorino. When here turns from the war, Katrina and their child have vanished. Sequel “Search and Deception” follows art history professor and Interpol agent Brian O’Sullivan in his quest to solve a WWII art theft mystery, while simultaneously searching for his birth mother Katrina. Seating is limited! Admission is free. Stop by Barbee Library to register or call 910-278-4283 to register.
ABOUT FOLSOI: The Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island (FOLSOI) supports the mission and programs of the Margaret & James Harper, Jr. Library in Southport and the G.V. Barbee, Sr Library on Oak Island. FOLSOI is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, call 910-278-4283, visit www.folsoi.org or click the link below.
MEETINGS, NEWS, & NOTICES
Council, Committee, and Board Meetings
REMINDER: Televised public meetings are broadcast live on OKI-TV (Spectrum Cable channel 8), as well as livestreamed on the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/MEETINGS. For a complete schedule of all upcoming Council, Committee and Board meetings, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/CALENDAR.
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 10:30 AM the PLANNING BOARD will hold its next meeting (televised) in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall at 4601 E Oak Island Drive.
Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 8:30 AM the ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Ocean Education Center, located at 4700 E Oak Island Drive.
Friday, November 3, 2023 at 1:00 PM the PAR 3 ADVISORY COMMITTEE will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Par 3 Pro Shop, located at 4188 Vanessa Drive.
Monday, November 13, 2023 at 4:00 PM the RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Community Center, located at 102 SE 47th Street, beside the Town Hall.
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM the ABC BOARD will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Oak Island ABC Store, located at 5402 E Oak Island Drive.
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM the TOWN COUNCIL (televised) will hold its next regular meeting in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall at 4601 E Oak Island Drive.
CLOSURES & HOLIDAYS
VETERANS DAY: Administrative Offices for the Town of Oak Island will be CLOSED on Friday, November 10, 2023 in observance of Veterans Day. Garbage & Recycling Collection will NOT be affected, however the Disposal Convenience site will NOT be open on Friday, November 10.
Police, fire, and other emergency services are not affected during any holiday closure, and are always available by calling 9-1-1. The Oak Island Pier will be open during their seasonal hours. All currently available Parks, Beach & Water Access Locations, and facilities will be open as well. All holiday closure dates can be viewed in the Holiday Calendar on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.gov/HOLIDAY.
Brunswick County Utilities: Annual to Change Chloramines to Chlorine
PLEASE NOTE: This information is provided by the Brunswick County Public Utilities department. For details on the content provided in this notice, please call the Brunswick County Public Utilities Department at 910-253-2657 • 910-371-3490 • 910-454-0512, or visit: www.brunswickcountync.gov/utilities.
Every year, Brunswick County and the towns, cities, and other utilities that purchase water from Brunswick County, implement an annual flushing program. Public Utilities employees flush the water mains by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. The flushing cleans out sediment and allows routine maintenance of the more than 6,000 fire hydrants in the Brunswick County service area. Flushing may result in discoloration and presence of sediment in your water. These conditions are not harmful and are temporary.
During the annual flushing program, a slight change is made in the water treatment process to facilitate an effective flushing program. Throughout the year, combined chlorine (in the form of chloramines), is added to the water as the primary disinfectant. During the annual flushing program, chlorine is added in an uncombined state, commonly referred to as free chlorine. Free chlorine is somewhat more volatile than combined chlorine, and readily reacts with sediments suspended during flushing. Brunswick County will use free chlorine as the primary disinfectant from October 16, 2023, through November 2023. Depending on your location within the distribution system and usage patterns, it could be a week to 10 days for your drinking water to transition from combined chlorine to free chlorine at the beginning of the flushing program. The annual change from chloramines to chlorine for this brief period is required by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
You may notice a chlorine taste and odor in your drinking water while free chlorine is utilized. If you are especially sensitive to the taste and odor of chlorine, try keeping an open container of drinking water in your refrigerator. This will enable the chlorine to dissipate thus reducing the chlorine taste. Remember – drinking water has a shelf life! Change out the water in your refrigerated container weekly.
Please note, if you have an aquarium or pond always test the water you add to your aquatic environment to be sure it is free of any chlorine before adding fish or other animals. Chemical additives with directions for removing either free chlorine or chloramines from water for use in fish tanks or ponds are available at pet/fish supply stores.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process, please contact the County’s Public Utilities Department at 910-253-2657, 910-371-3490, 910-454-0512, or your local water provider
Public Art Trail Kicks Off with TWO Public Art Workshops
“Public Art ... for all of us!”
The Town of Oak Island is excited to launch the Oak Island Public Art Trail and you’re invited to make the trail together! Join Economic Development staff and volunteers for a series of TWO Public Art Workshops, and share your ideas to kick-off the Oak Island Public Art Trail (“OKI-PAT”)!
• Monday October, 16, 2023 • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• Tuesday, October 17, 2023 • 10:00 AM - NOON
Workshops will be held at the 801 Ocean Event Center, located at 801 Ocean Drive, and will have five different arts and crafts stations to help bring out the creative side of all ages and skill levels
Whether it’s to celebrate nature, remember history, or simply enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike, this is an opportunity for everyone to come out and share their vision, helping to build upon the Town Council’s direction to establish a public art initiative in Oak Island.
For more information on the new Public Art Trail, visit the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/ART or click the link below.
See You At The Station II
As mentioned earlier in the Fire Department's "Safety Brief" article, October is a Fire Safety Awareness Month, and October 8 - 14 is National Fire Prevention Week.
In celebration of National Fire Prevention Week, the Fire Department is once again bringing back the popular See You At The Station open house event!
On Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, the bay doors at Fire Station 2 (8510 E. Oak Island Drive) will open wide, with an opportunity for your family to meet ours.
Meet the firefighters, tour the station, learn important fire safety tips, and let your kids touch the trucks ... there are educational and fun activities for both kids and adults!
The first-ever #SYATS event last year was such a huge success, we've decided to incorporate it as a regular part of our annual Fire Prevention Week Activities. To view the theme and information provided for Fire Prevention Week, as well as the week's activities, just visit the dedicated page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/FPW or click the link below.
Badges, Boats, & Boots
Do you like firefighters, police officers, or Coast Guardsmen? Do you also like community softball games? Well if you're always up for watching a good softball game, and looking for a reason to cheer for (or even against) your favorites of the first responders mentioned above, then look no further than the Badges, Boats, & Boots ("B3") event.
On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the softball field of the Middleton Park Complex, the inaugural "B3" will join the Oak Island Fire & Police Departments for some friendly competition with the US Coast Guard Station Oak Island in a unique, "First Responder Community Softball" game!
With plenty of parking and room for an audience at the Middleton Park Complex, this fun and family-friendly event will be a great way to kick off the weekend! Plan to attend and show community support for your favorite first responder team!
To learn more or show your interest by downloading your own 3B flyer, just visit the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/BBB or by clicking the link below.
COMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
REMINDER: Information on all special events, recreation programs, and educational activities can be found on the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/EVENTS.
Live & Local: Market + Music
WHEN: Saturday • 4:00 PM -8:00 PM Market • 6:00 PM -8:00 PM Concert
WHERE: Middleton Park Complex •4610 E. Dolphin Dr.
COST: Free to Attend
AGES: All Ages
ABOUT: Already dreading the end of summer's Farmer's Market and Summer Concert Series? Fall in love with the Town of Oak Island this autumn as OKI Recreation Department Island continues the best of summer living all season long. Connect with your coastal community in Middleton Park each week Department for an evening of live music, local food and craft vendors as residents and visitors embrace active island living. For questions simply reach out to OKI Program Supervisor, Ryan Gordon at rgordon@OakIslandNC.gov.
For more information and to see the full band lineup, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/LIVE or click the link below.
Haunted Fishing Derby
WHEN: Thursday, October 19, 2023 • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
WHERE: Oak Island Pier
COST: FREE
AGES: Designed for ages 15 years & under
REGISTRATION: www.OakIslandNC.gov/RecDesk
ABOUT: Find your favorite costume, and cast a line this October with Oak Island Recreation! There will be many prizes for a variety of categories. Participants will need to bring their own rod and bait. For more information contact Program Supervisor, Ryan Gordon, at rgordon@oakislandnc.gov or calling 910-278-4747.
*Participants must wear a costume to receive a goodie bag
Spooky Flashlight Egg Hunt
WHEN: Friday, October 27, 2023 • Begins By Age Group at 6:30 PM
AGES 1-3 at 6:30 PM • Ages 4-6 at 6:45 PM • Ages 7-10 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Bill Smith Park • 4446 Fish Factory Rd.
COST: FREE
ABOUT: Oak Island is looking “egg”stra spooky at Bill Smith Park. Come and find Orange & Black Eggs our furry friend has hidden for you this year! Make sure you come dressed in your costume ready for the hunt! For more information please call 910-278-4747.
Halloween Spooktacular
WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2023 • 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
WHERE: Middleton Park Complex •4610 E. Dolphin Dr.
COST: FREE
AGES: Activities designed for Ages 13 & Under
ABOUT: Fall is just around the corner, and Oak Island would like to invite your family to the 2023 Halloween Spooktacular! Come dressed in your Halloween best as we spend the evening celebrating the fall season with contests, live music, games, and more! Held in conjunction with Live & Local: Market + Music at Middleton Park; this FREE family friendly Halloween event offers a multitude of booths with carnival type activities and will be distributing candy.
PLEASE NOTE: There are MANY fun, educational, and exciting events and programs planned for the month ahead (way too many to list here)! For a complete list of upcoming activities, contact the Recreation Department at 910-278-5518, or visit the EVENTS & PROGRAMS page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/EVENTS, or just click the link below.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: FORMAT CHANGE
There's a saying that goes "all good things must come to an end." We don't know if that's really true, but it is a fact in the world of public information all good things, in order to stay good, must adapt to changing times.
Like all good things in the world of public information, The CURRENT is no exception to the need to adapt.
First published in December 2020, The CURRENT has produced 35 editions to date, each month achieving thousands of views, and even winning a 2021 Excellence in Communications Award from the prestigious NC3C. Providing a "magazine style" long-read format, along with added commentary, and content contributed form community partners, The CURRENT quickly became a standard feature for those involved with Oak Island life. However, as life often goes, the one thing you can count on never to change, is that things will certainly change.
Beginning on Monday, November 27, 2023, The CURRENT will transition to a new, "weekly" format - published every Monday morning.
This new weekly version will deliver important Town updates in a more streamlined, "update" style format. It will have shorter articles, less commentary, and direct links to view the full details on the topics you care the most about.
Unless specifically noted, the new weekly editions of The CURRENT will be published every Monday morning. Powered by the Town's email notification system OKInformation, subscribers will automatically transition over and no additional signup is needed to receive the weekly updates.
The monthly, magazine style format will continue through the November edition, and officially be retired with a special "Holiday Review" edition in December. Afterwards all previous monthly editions will be available to view on a special Archive Page of the Town Website.
Moving forward, all active weekly editions of The CURRENT will be available on the same familiar page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/CURRENT.
PHOTO REVIEW
Provided below are examples of the visuals seen around Town throughout the past month. This section contains officially published AND reader submitted photos. Submissions are donated and not compensated, but are properly credited in the captions below. To contribute a submission, please email the photo along with a description of the date, location, and photographer or business name to: photos@oakislandnc.gov.
Thank you for reading this edition of The CURRENT. This newsletter is produced by the Town of Oak Island Communications Office and is intended for information and educational purposes only. Any perceived endorsements or promotion of any third-party products, services, or organizations is unintentional. For more information on any of the departments or services provided by the Town of Oak Island, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/CONTACT, call 910-278-5011, or email info@oakislandnc.gov.
©2023 Town of Oak Island, NC. All Rights Reserved.