UPDATE: Ed Apalinski Services
Ed Apalinski, husband to Garden Club member Ruth Apalinski, passed away earlier this week. There will be viewing at Brunswick Funeral Service from 2 – 4 PM on Friday April 23rd. The church service will be at the Calabash Covenant Presbyterian Church on Saturday April 24th at 9 AM.
Please keep Ruth and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sunset Beach Transportation/Traffic Survey
Please consider filling out the attached survey regarding Traffic/Transportation. I am pleased to see this issue is being addressed by Sunset Beach with the growth spurt we are beginning to see. Speed limits have been an issue, deceleration and acceleration lanes, signage noting an entrance to a development is around the curve, dedicated bike/walking paths (or at least a road wide enough to accommodate).
We are a community made up of transits and tourists. With that said, we are in paradise and should be able to enjoy the outside — biking, walking, and driving along our roadways without fatalities. When were the roads last evaluated for speed limit and signage?
We have an opportunity for input; please let’s take advantage. There is a box for ‘comments’ at each question. Survey link is below.
Thank you, Bobbi Leonard
https://brunswickcountyctp.metroquest.com/
The survey deadline is June 9th! Make your voice heard now!
PRESIDENT’S UPDATES – 04/18/2021
Dear Sea Trail Homeowners:
I wanted to bring a few items to your attention:
CPR/AED Training at the Pink Palace – THIS Tuesday April 20 at 3:30 pm
- The Health and Safety Resource Committee is hosting a CPR/AED Training Session on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm at the Pink Palace. Presented by the Sunset Beach Fire Department. Registration is required. This important training is open to ALL homeowners. Please click HERE to sign up for CPR/AED Training Session. If you have any questions, please email Rose Dodds, rdodds6997@aol.com
Brunswick County Water Rate Hike
- The ABCPOA Committee wants you to be aware of the proposed water rate hike for all Brunswick County Water users. If approved, every user will see an increase in their water bills of around 30-40 percent beginning January 2022. This proposed rate hike will pay for the reverse osmosis plant that the county has planned. There have been a number of articles in the Brunswick Beacon and on television sites. Two of those articles are listed below.
- https://www.wect.com/2021/04/16/brunswick-county-proposes-an-increase-water-rates/
- https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2021/01/25/brunswick-county-water-rates-proposed-to-rise-by-2022/
Riptide Builders letter to Sea Trail Homeowners
- All Sea Trail Homeowners should have received a Riptide Builders letter and FAQs sent via email on 4/16/21. If you did not receive this letter, please click HERE to review on the STMA website. We encourage all homeowners to understand Riptide’s vision for Sea Trail and also what the Town is proposing in changing UDO guidelines.
Enjoy Springtime at Sea Trail!
Best Regards,
Roz Dahlen, STMA President
Sea Trail: A Message from Riptide Builders
April 16, 2021
Dear Sea Trail Homeowner,
It has become clear to our team that there is a lack of knowledge and some general misconception about our plans for the future of the Sea Trail community. We apologize for this confusion. Our goal is complete transparency as we seek to breathe new energy into this wonderful community, including providing the amenity upgrades so many of you would like to see.
As many of you know, the Sea Trail community in Sunset Beach was first envisioned in the late 1970s by local Brunswick County and Sunset Beach families. The original developers built three award-winning golf courses, clubhouse facilities, and a convention center among other top-notch amenities, under the assumption that they would be supported by a full community and visitors.
Unfortunately, the project stalled and went into bankruptcy in 2006-07. Left uncompleted and due to the lack of dues-paying HOA members and visitors supporting the restaurants, convention center, and golf courses, the community’s once-top amenities deteriorated, while others long-planned have yet to be built.
We at Riptide Builders purchased the property in 2020 with plans to bring the original Sea Trail plan to life.
The Vision
Our vision is focused on securing Sea Trail long into the future by:
- Adding additional amenities, including a pickleball court and dog park.
- Adding wide sidewalks throughout the community, enabling residents to safely explore the neighborhood and even reach downtown Sunset Beach by sidewalk.
- Building top-of-the-line pools and clubhouses in many of the new sub-communities.
- Activating ponds and river with observation decks and benches.
- Enhancing green spaces by adding walking trails, pergolas, fire pits, dining areas, and other amenities.
- Building thoughtfully designed, high-end single-family homes, town homes, and condominiums. New, diverse housing that was planned all along is necessary to support our golf courses and to revive our dining operations.
- Helping keep, maintain, and improve all three golf courses.
- Helping re-upfit and re-open the convention center for events and community use.
Updates in Progress
We are also working hand-in-hand with the Sea Trail Master Association to quickly make much-needed updates throughout Sea Trail.
These include:
- Rehabilitating the existing entries to the Sea Trail community (including already installed LED lighting at all entry walls)
- Redesigning new, modern entry walls later this year
- Retrofitting street signs
- Installing wayfaring signage
- Repairing stormwater systems.
Over the next 30 days, we will:
- Commence an amazing grounds renovation of the chapel
- Clean and paint the Oyster Pointe guard shack and entry walls
- Create a walkway and path to access Oyster Bay from Oyster Pointe
- Implement a new pond maintenance program for all ponds
- Activate existing and adding new fountains to ponds
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you likely still have questions. Many of you have asked for more details about our vision for Sea Trail and what the town has done or is doing to stop us from bringing these improvements to you. For ease, we developed answers to our most frequently asked questions. You can view them on our website Sea Trail Frequently Asked Questions — Riptide Builders.
We want to hear from you.
Your input is an integral part of the planning and activation of the Sea Trail neighborhood. We have received input from many neighbors, and we will continue to do so as we finalize plans to help ensure that we’re giving you and your community exactly what you want and need.
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and answer any questions or concerns you have. We are planning to host an event to walk through the full Sea Trail plan and answer all of your questions. We will share more information on time and location in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, email us at SeaTrailPlanning@riptidebuilders.com; we look forward to connecting.
Sincerely,
Robert Hill
Riptide Builders
Ocean Isle Museum Foundation Postpones Annual Wine Fest
Due to concerns prompted by COVID-19, the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation, Inc. has postponed their annual Wine Fest until April 30, 2022. Please click Wine Fest Postponed for all of the information.
Ingram Planetarium Upcoming Programs
Check out these two programs scheduled at the Planetarium but clicking on their links:
River in Heaven – An Exploration of Asian Astronomy
New Classic Laser Rock Music Show at Ingram Planetarium
To stay up to date on all of the events and programs that are beginning back at the Planetarium, please connect with them via their website at https://museumplanetarium.org/ingram-planetarium/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IngramPlanetarium/
Granny’s Closet
Are your grandchildren coming to visit and you need equipment for them? Do you need medical aids after a procedure? Let Granny’s Closet help you if we have what you need available! We have the following to borrow:
- Cribs, highchair, pack n play, bed rails, gates, booster seat, or a high chair/youth chair etc.
- Medical aids such as crutches, walker, wheelchair, bath/shower chair, or bedside commode.
If you would like to borrow items from Granny’s Closet, please contact one of the following: Diane Kreuzburg at 910-579-4333 or dianek9@atmc.net, Chris Woods at 910-579-0052 or dewoods@atmc.net or Eileen Chamberlain at 910-579-3111 or leeny98@aol.com. They will check if the item you want to borrow is currently on their list and if so will give you the lender’s name and phone number to contact.
PLEASE NOTE: Since many items were being stored at homes of those with grandchildren now grown and therefore no longer needing the item, this particular list has gotten shorter. So if you have items you would like to add to Granny’s Closet and store in your home for others to borrow, please contact one of the ladies above. They will be glad to add your item and your contact name and information to either of their inventory lists.
PRESIDENT’S UPDATES – 04/09/2021
Good Morning Sea Trail!
Hope that you are enjoying this beautiful weather and the “roll” you are getting on the golf courses! I wanted to update you on a few things:
PINK PALACE POOL:
- The Pink Palace Pool will be opening on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 9am. The hours for the Pink Palace Pool are 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week. The indoor spa & sauna at Creekside is also opening on Saturday. The hours for the indoor spa (maximum capacity is 4) and sauna (maximum capacity is 2) are 9am – 9pm. Based on the Governor’s guidelines the occupancy of the indoor spa will be a maximum of 4 people.
BEACH PARKING LOT:
- Our Beach Parking Lot will be CLOSED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 13TH, ALL DAY for repairs and re-grading. Thank you for your patience as we make the necessary improvements to our Beach Parking Lot.
PERMISSION TO USE PROPERTY OWNER’S ACCESS CARD:
- This question has come up a number of times recently with the reopening of our facilities. The form PERMISSION TO USE PROPERTY OWNER’S ACCESS CARD (located on our website), MUST be submitted when a property owner gives permission to someone else to use their access card(s) to enter our Sea Trail amenities/facilities. This form should be completed at least 7 days in advance and is only good for a 30 day usage or less. The form should be utilized when a property owner gives their access card to family and/or friends to enter facilities when the property owner is not present. It is recommended that a property owner NOT loan their access cards to anyone, but if they do, know that the property owner is fully liable for ALL damages and/or incidents to our facilities.
Click HERE to view and submit this form.
Have Fun, Be Safe and Enjoy Our Place in Paradise!
Roz Dahlen, President
Sea Trail Master Association
BC Master Gardeners Association Offers Two Plant Sales
After a year’s hiatus, Brunswick County Master GardenerSM Volunteer Association plant sales are returning! We are offering two different, specialized plant sales this spring, different from past years. No azaleas, roses, crape myrtles, or loropetalums will be offered for sale.
The first is an Online Plant Sale focusing on native plants that are recommended by North Carolina Sea Grant for coastal Carolina landscapes. These plants are suitable for the coastal environment thriving in our harsh conditions, more likely to withstand storms and beneficial to the natural habitat. The sale features a large selection of native perennials and shrubs beneficial to butterflies, pollinators, and birds.
- Visit the website www.bcmgva.org from April 15th – May 2nd to place and pay for your order.
- Schedule an appointment to pick-up your plants in person, curbside, on Thursday May 6th at the Brunswick County Extension Office, 25 Referendum Drive, greenhouse area behind Building N, Government Complex, Bolivia, NC 28422.
- Visit the website www.bcmgva.org for more information on the offered plants and instructions on scheduling a pick-up appointment.
- Payment for Online Orders is through PayPal, Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover.
On Friday May 14th, our second sale, the BCEMGVA Propagation Sale offers of variety of perennials, annuals, vegetables, and herbs propagated by Master Gardeners.
Yes, we grew these plants from seeds, cuttings or divisions ourselves! Some plants are propagated from the BC Botanical Garden or our home gardens.
The Propagation Plant Sale is a traditional outdoor sale, but for the health and safety of the plant sale attendees and Master Gardener volunteers, participants will need to wear masks and schedule an appointment to shop between 9:00 – 10:30 am. After 10:30 am, a limited number of shoppers will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Starting May 3rd, visit www.bcmgva.org to learn about the plants being offered for sale and to schedule an appointment.
This sale is held at the Brunswick County Extension Office, 25 Referendum Drive, at the greenhouse area behind Building N, Government Complex, Bolivia, NC 2842.
For more information, contact Krystyna Ochota at the NC Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Office; 910 253 2595, Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Sea Trail Photography Club Holds Its First Meeting
Brunswick County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Survey
The update of the Brunswick County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is now underway. A CTP is a long-range plan that will assist local governments in making transportation decisions for the next 25-30 years. All modes of transportation will be studied, highway, bicycle, pedestrian, ferry, rail and transit. The ultimate goal for these long range projects is to be submitted to NCDOT for funding and construction. In an effort to gain public input on transportation issues in the county, a survey has been developed to gather feedback. By taking this survey, you will help us create a vision for the area, its residents and visitors.
The survey is available online and can be viewed by clicking on this link: https://brunswickcountyctp.metroquest.com/
The survey deadline is June 9th! Make your voice heard now!
Events for April & May at the Planetarium & Museum of Coastal Carolina
Please click on the links below for all of the upcoming events for April & May at the Museum and Planetarium plus information about the 30th Anniversary for the Museum!
April & May at the Museum of Coastal Carolina
April & May Events at Ingram Planetarium
Museum of Coastal Carolina Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary May 19th
PRESIDENT’S UPDATES – 04/02/2021
Happy Easter Sea Trail!
The following is a facility update:
Pink Palace and MAC Main Rooms:
- Food will be allowed. The type of food service will be determined by the event leader.
- Guests and private events will now be allowed.
- Everyone must make responsible decisions for your own personal health.
- Enter all indoor facilities at your own risk.
- Every individual must decide based on your own vaccination status, pre-existing conditions and overall health status, if you should attend an indoor event.
- Please continue to clean tables and surfaces after each event with the sanitation supplies provided.
Pools:
- The MAC pool and outdoor spa will open on Saturday, April 3, 2021.
- Access will be given to ALL property owners and their guests.
- Pool furniture will now be available in the pool areas.
- ALL Property owners must sign the Facilities Usage Waiver prior to using any of the facilities. If you signed this waiver last year, you do not need to sign it again.
- The Pink Palace Pool will remain closed at this time due to repairs being completed. There are plans to open the Pink Palace pool as soon as the repairs are completed.
- While there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, please be aware that users of these facilities are electing to enjoy them at their OWN RISK. By entering the pool area, you take full responsibility for your own protection and for disinfecting your hands and anything you touch or use. Do not enter the area if you or anyone in your household have been ill, exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, are under mandatory quarantine orders or have been exposed to someone with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in the past two weeks.
These are the guidelines that will govern the use of the STMA pools until further notice:
- Capacity will be limited to 100% occupancy at a time, 200 people at the MAC and 145 people at the Pink Palace.
- We require everyone to wear masks when entering or leaving the area and recommend them when not in the pools.
- Please maintain at least six feet distance between you and others not part of your immediate household.
- Disinfectant sprays will be provided and encouraged for all to use before and after using the pool furniture.
- Parents and chaperones of children will be responsible for enforcing their children’s social distancing behavior while in the pool.
- Only pool noodles are allowed in the pool area and must leave with the owner.
- Grills will be available for use.
- The hot tub will be limited to 4 people at one time.
- Use of the pools is limited to STMA members and their guests ONLY.
- Scheduled lap swimmers at the MAC pool will occur daily between dawn and 9am.
More information forthcoming regarding lap swimming schedule on the website.
- General pool hours at the MAC pool will be 9am-dusk.
- The Pink Palace pool hours will be dawn to dusk when it opens for the season.
Thank you to Kevin Baldwin, Pool and Tennis Chairperson and the Pool Committee Team for their hard work in getting the pools ready to open for the Spring Season.
Just a reminder that the VAC Indoor Pool is open now to all Sea Trail Property Owners. The VAC Outdoor Pool is NOT open for the season at this time.
Enjoy this special time here at Sea Trail! Blessings to you all!
Roz Dahlen, President
Sea Trail Master Association
A Message from Riptide Builders
| Dear Sea Trail Homeowner,
We would like to update you on several steps we are taking to ensure Sea Trail residents continue to be surrounded by a beautiful, well-planned neighborhood with top-notch amenities. It is our plan to expand and improve amenities within Sea Trail. We are actively collaborating with the golf course ownership to ensure Sea Trail’s golf courses are well maintained if not improved outright. Together, we also plan to revitalize the convention center, including adding first-class food and beverage facilities. Sea Trail was dormant for far too long. We have made significant investments in this community because we believe in the vision of the Sea Trail Master Plan and all that it offers to the community and business within Sea Trail alike. Unfortunately, despite our concerted, good-faith effort to work with the Town of Sunset Beach, the Town has made it clear that it will not allow us to bring the vision you expect to life. Therefore, we have been forced to begin the process of de-annexing the undeveloped portions of Sea Trail. This decision was made after extensive discussion, due diligence and contemplation and we are confident that it is in the best interest of Sea Trail and its residents. What does this mean to you?
In closing, it is important to know that we want the same things desired by current and future Sea Trail homeowners: a beautiful, well-planned neighborhood with top-notch amenities, active, well-maintained golf courses, a vibrant open convention center, and first-class food and beverage options. Each of these components of the original Sea Trail Master Plan must work in harmony for Sea Trail to realize its full potential and be the kind of community we all want it to be. We suspect that you will have questions. You can expect to hear from us in the coming days and weeks. In addition, we hope to schedule times for us to connect with you in-person to discuss things in more detail. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact SeaTrailPlanning@riptidebuilders.com with any questions or concerns you may have. Sincerely, Robert Hill |
New Owners for March, 2021
Please click New Owners March, 2021 to find the most current list of our new neighbors moving into Sea Trail. To find their specific information as to street address, email addresses and phone numbers just log in to the Member Directory section of the website. Please Note: This specific information is only available on the member directory once the new owner updates their profile information themselves.
We will continue to add New Owners to the Newsletter on a monthly basis or as we receive it from our STMA administrator.
Welcome to all!!