April 15, 2026

Dear BNC Members,

Happy Spring! We’re excited to gather for our General Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church Community Center. The Hospitality Committee welcomes donations of treats for our pre‑meeting social time.

--Featured Speaker

Our featured speakers will be Joshua Pratt, Resident Engineer, and Steve Knowles, Senior Assistant Resident Engineer, NCDOT, who will provide an update on the NC‑211 widening project. Guests are welcome to attend this meeting and join the Club—see our Membership Special below.

--Table Topic Guests

Our Table Topic Guest will be J. Taylor Ryan from the St. James Conservancy. Visit their website to learn more about their mission and coastal conservation efforts.

--Membership Special

Join the Club in April or May to participate in summer activities, and your membership will carry forward into the 2026–2027 BNC season. Please download and complete the membership form and bring it with your payment ($20 per person; cash or check payable to BNC) to the Membership Table. The updated form is available on our website under Membership Form.

--April Birthday Raffle

If your birthday is in April, fill out a raffle ticket at the Membership Table for a chance to win BNC Birthday Bucks! These may be used toward BNC events requiring payment by check, including Membership, Lunch Bunch, Social Events (non‑refundable RSVP deposits), Singles events, Wine Tastings, and Special Interest events not payable to a foundation.

--2026–2027 Executive Board Nominations

Board terms are typically two years. To support continuity, current officers have agreed to serve one additional year. The nominations are:

President:Kathleen Ragan
1st Vice President:Leslie Walsten
2nd Vice President:Pat Booth
Secretary:KC Hastings
Treasurer:Eileen Kersius

--2026–2027 Committee Structure, Anticipated Chairs & Vacancies

--Give Back to Brunswick- Chairperson:Debbie Krusius

--Membership Committee -Chairperson:Shelly Leestma

Join Shelly and Cindy at the welcome table to assist with check‑in and the birthday raffle. A welcoming smile is the only requirement!

✈️Travel Committee- Domestic:Chair Wanted

Pat Booth has led Domestic Travel for three years and will continue advising the committee as we identify a new Chair

International:Bev Mastrovich

--Social Committee (includes Lunch Bunch) - Chair or Co‑Chairs Wanted

Dawn Smith has led Lunch Bunch for three years and will continue serving on the combined committee.
El Lambert has led Social for seven years; she and her husband, Bob, will continue serving along with six volunteers.

The Board is reviewing opportunities to consolidate the remaining committees to reduce the number of chairs needed while maintaining robust volunteer involvement.

--Special Interest- Chairperson:Linda Sausville

Committee Members Wanted — Help coordinate tours, classes, and local events. This committee has a rich history of offering engaging programs and highlighting local festivals.

--Singles - Chairperson:Gloria Fischer Bigelow Assistant: Susan Brown

Committee Members Wanted— Join this fun‑loving group to help plan outings and social gatherings for singles.

--Wine Tasting Committee Chairperson:Marion Quigley

Committee Members Wanted — Events are held in host homes and local establishments, often with creative themes.

Please stop by any committee table to speak with current volunteers, or email Kathleen at brunswick.newcomers@gmail.com for more information.

--Upcoming Activities & Sign‑Ups

Committees have been busy planning spring activities. Please stop by the tables on April 21 to sign up—and remember to bring cash or checks.

--Wine Tasting — $25 per person

RSVPs and refunds close 7 days prior due to vendor requirements.

Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m.— Italian Wines @ The Haven

--Lunch Bunch

Tuesday, May 5, 11:30 a.m.— San Felipe (Southport Lowe’s location)

--Social Committee

Thursday, April 30, 4:30–7:30 p.m.— Spring Fling @ Lone Rider Brewery, Oak Island Food and beverages available for purchase.
Sunday, May 17, 2–4:30 p.m.— Mexican Fiesta & Cornhole Tournament @ Woodlands Pavilion & Lawn, St. James — $15 per person Beef tacos provided; bring an appetizer to share and BYOB. Sign up by April 30.

--Special Interest

Visit the table for posters highlighting Brunswick County events.
Friday, May 29, 9:45–11:00 a.m.— Oak Island Lighthouse Tour — $10 payable to FOIL

--Singles

Saturday, April 25, 4:30–8 p.m.— Mini Golf & Social @ The Golf Barn — $12 plus food trucks and beverages
Friday, May 8, 6:30–8:30 p.m.— Line Dancing @ The Golf Barn
Saturday, May 16, 4 p.m.— Cruise the Cape Fear River, Wilmington — $27 per person Save $3 with promo code new26
Saturday, May 30, 6–9 p.m.— Cape Side Brewing: Rusty Bones Band + food truck

✈️Travel Opportunities — Trips by Patty

Domestic

North Carolina Wine Country— May 6–8, 2026 — SOLD OUT Waitlist: NC Wine Country
Hamilton— June 7 Matinee — SOLD OUT DPAC Orchestra, Section 3
The Great Gatsby— October 15 Overnight in Charlotte
Charlottesville— October 18–20, 2026

International

Ireland In Depth— July 11–25, 2026 — SOLD OUT
Mekong River Cruise— January 31–February 14, 2027
Holland & Belgium in Springtime— March 26–April 6, 2027

For more information, contact Bev Mastrovich at 910‑477‑2030 or southportbev1@gmail.com.

--Give Back to Brunswick

This month we are supporting our local fire departments. Please consider stopping by your local station on your way to or from the meeting with a donation of a case of water or sports drinks.

Wishing you a very joyous spring! Stay connected through our BNC Facebook page and website for the latest updates. We look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Warm regards,

Kathleen Ragan, President, BNC