Stirling silver heart pendant with ruby beads

There’s still time to order that special Valentines Day gift from Bald Head Island’s Woods Gallery. Delicate custom jewelry by Mitzy Jonkheer is inspired by the spirit of love. From carved heart earrings in beautiful rose gold to poetry cuff bangles to a lovely heart pendant with rubies, Mitzy’s jewelry captures the essence of Valentines Day. Click here to see a sample of some of Mitzy’s creations for sale at the gallery.

To place an order, stop by The Woods Gallery at 12A Maritime Way, or call Shawn Best, Gallery Director, at 910-232-5818.

Bald Head Creek

The Bald Head Island Conservancy will hold the next installment in its Discovery Lecture Series on Saturday, February 20 from 4-5 p.m. The lecture, entitled “Past, Present and Future Studies on BHI: Research Implications for Effective Management of Barrier Islands” will be given by Dr. Tom Hancock, Director of Conservation for the BHI Conservancy.

The lecture will be held at the Fleming Environmental Center on the BHI Conservancy campus. A wine and cheese social will take place prior to the lecture starting at 3:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

The Conservancy has monthly lectures planned through April. To see a schedule, click here or call (910) 457-0089 for more information.

Haven 2010 is coming soon

The 2010 issue of Haven—the magazine for and about Bald Head Island—is about to come back from the printer and we’re very excited to share what we think is one of the best issues yet.

This year’s magazine showcases amazing island photography as well as a range of stories exploring what makes Bald Head Island so special. The article “Just Passing Through” follows migratory animals that call the island home every year, affirming Bald Head Island’s importance as a habitat to countless wildlife. “Getting Married on Bald Head Island” showcases three very different—but equally gorgeous—island weddings. And “Four’s Company” answers the question “what makes a good foursome?” by hitting the links with an experienced (and entertaining!) group of golfers.

The entire issue will be posted on our Web site in the next few weeks—we’ll be sure to put up a link when it goes live. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for the hard copy in your mailbox.

If you’d like to receive Haven but aren’t on our mailing list, send your request to vacations@bhisland.com with “Haven request” as the subject line. Be sure to include your complete name and mailing address.

An artist paints at the 2009 No Boundaries Art Colony on Bald Head Island

This Friday, January 22, marks the opening of an art exhibit for work produced at the 2009 No Boundaries International Art Colony, which took place on Bald Head Island in November. The reception will take place from 6-9 p.m. at Acme Arts, located at 711 N. Fifth Street in Wilmington, NC.

No Boundaries was founded in 1998 by Wilmington, NC artists Dick Roberts, Pam Toll and Gayle Tustin. The founders view No Boundaries as a step toward peace – the commonality of being artists dissolving all boundaries of war, nationality, language and culture. To read more about the 2009 No Boundaries event, and to see more photos of artists working on the island, check out our related story.

Admission to the opening reception and show is free, with most works available for sale. Art will be on display through Feb. 19 by appointment only.

For more information on the event, see the Star News article about the show or call Acme at 910-763-8010.

Bald Head Island is an ideal destination for a romantic getaway

Bald Head Island is the perfect getaway for a romantic Valentines Day weekend. What better way to unwind and reconnect with your sweetie than to get away from the hustle and bustle of mainland life?

This Valentines Day, couples can enjoy two nights in a cozy harbourside studio for $382 (two night’s occupancy for two). While you’re on the island, visit Island Retreat Spa & Salon and take advantage of Sweetheart Month Specials including “Be Mine” and ”Hot Date” packages ranging from $115 a person to $325 a couple.  Round out a romantic evening at Eb & Flo’s with a three-course dinner for two for just $54.95 (tax and gratuity excluded).

Book early to secure your accommodations, spa and dinner reservations by calling 1-800-432-RENT.

Flowers by Kim Fisher

On January 16, the Bald Head Island Club is hosting a project floral and design workshop presented by Wilmington floral designer Kim Fisher. Kim, who has styled many a wedding on the island, has over 20 years of experience in the floral/design field and brings her knowledge, insight and special flair to this workshop.

The workshop will take place at the Bald Head Island Club from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a break for lunch (included in workshop fee). The workshop will be a relaxed, creative event filled with expert floral design instruction, lots of  examples of different floral and color trends and accessible design ideas.

To register or for more information, email Kim at kim@kimfisherdesigns.com.

Bald Head Creek

The Bald Head Island Conservancy will hold the first in its Spring 2010 Lecture Series on Saturday, January 16 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Fleming Environmental Classroom. A wine and cheese social will begin at 3:30 p.m.

The lecture, which is a Hydrogeological (aquifer) report about the water quality and quantity on Bald Head Island, will be presented by Jim Cornette of Applied Resource Management. This event is free and open to the public.

The Bald Head Island Conservancy has monthly lectures planned through April. Click here for a complete schedule or call (910) 457-0089 for more information.

A baby loggerhead sea turtle makes its way back to the sea.

Bald Head Island will be featured on an upcoming episode of the Emmy Award-winning UNC-TV program, Our State. Tune in this Thursday, January 7 at 8:00 pm to check out this all new episode, which features three different stories, all about Bald Head Island.

First, the Living with an Island segment explores the  balance needed between people and wildlife to coexist successfully in this subtropical barrier island system. Second, ideas and cultures from around the world merge at the bi-annual arts colony No Boundaries on the Island Inspirations segment. Finally, get up close and personal with the loggerhead sea turtles that nest on the island’s shores each year with the Nocturnal Visitors segment, which captures the wondrous journey of these fascinating creatures, from nesting to hatching.

Be sure to tune in and let us know what you think!

Cynthia Woods Mitchell

Cynthia Woods Mitchell, patron of the arts, impassioned environmentalist and avid historical preservationist, died Sunday morning, December 27, 2009, surrounded by family at her home in The Woodlands, Texas. She was 87.

Survivors include her husband, George Mitchell, and 10 children, including Kent and Mark Mitchell, developers of Bald Head Island.

“She was a force of nature,” the Mitchell family said in a prepared statement. “Our family will always remember the dynamic, colorful person that she was: intelligent, altruistic, totally original and hilariously funny. Her kindnesses are remembered by people she barely knew.”

Reared by a single mother in Depression-era New York City, Mitchell embraced a wide range of causes and interests, ranging from the Girl Scouts to Galveston’s historic preservation to Texas Children’s Hospital.

Mitchell’s interest in history and historic preservation manifested itself on the national level in the 1990s when she became a board member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The group later presented her its highest honor, the Crowninshield Award.

Mitchell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2002. It was a diagnosis she met with “optimism and dignity,” said family spokeswoman Dancie Ware.

In the wake of Mrs. Mitchell’s diagnosis, the Mitchell family poured resources into research to find a cure for the degenerative disease. Created were the George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston and the George P. and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. The family also supported research at Baylor College of Medicine.

The funeral will be private, but there will be a memorial service Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, followed by a reception at the Tremont House in Galveston. The Houston Symphony is scheduled to play a special concert celebrating the life of Cynthia Woods Mitchell April 29 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands.