Confessions of a Madman

A life lived through the years of the greatest change in human history, a tale of the Camelot period among the canyons of Madison Ave. and the publishing world in New York and Boston through the eyes of an illustrator.

A story that spans eighty years beginning in the Appalachian hills of Tennessee and evolving into the fast-paced world of art and advertising on Madison Avenue. Follow along and experience life in the upper strata of New York City society during the days when the Martini lunch ruled.

Soft Cover $16.95

“From Madison Avenue to Island Sands” is one of those rare, thoroughly entertaining autobiographies that works because, unlike many autobiographies, it isn’t about a celebrity or a politician, but about a regular guy who has lived life to the fullest and then some.

In some respects, it’s a tale of two islands: Manhattan and a little place off the coast of North Carolina called Ocean Isle.” Lynn Jessup – The Wilmington Star News

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Tales of the Silver Coast

A Secret History Of Brunswick County – From the earliest days of European exploration to the golf courses and beach resorts in this fascinating and fast-growing region, Brunswick County has attracted settlers, invaders, and visitors of all descriptions.

In these pages you’ll read about Steve Bonnet, the “Gentleman Pirate,” who hid his ships in Brunswick’s moss-draped creeks but unfortunately underestimated the ebbing tide; “Mrs. Calabash,” who’s said to have lent her name to the famous sign-off for Jimmy Durante’s classic radio shows; and Topsy the Elephant, who swam for the Brunswick riverbank after breaking loose from circus handlers in the 1920s.

Follow the struggles and victories that shaped Brunswick County, from the first contact of Europeans with native Americans, to successive administrations of the Lords Proprietors, the royal governors, the British crown, and the leaders of a new nation—many at whom hailed from this small but influential corner of North Carolina. Discover Brunswick’s rich Civil War history, scenic roadways and waterways and current-day towns and townships.

Tales of the Silver Coast, recounts the tales of privateers and plantation owners, politicians and Prohibition rum-runners and the many colorful people and diverse places of southeastern North Carolina.

“Miller has done an exceptional job keeping the tone light while still being informative. Each story is only two to three pages long, with illustrations liberally spread throughout, making it perfect for children. Young and old will love the story of the Barefoot Felon, where a captain uses a simple trick to save his ship from pirates.”

- Brunswick Alive! Magazine

Hard Cover $24.95

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Miller Pope’s Book of Pirates

From Captain Kidd to Blackbeard to the pirates of the orient . . .
From bloody battles to walking the plank-
from blunderbusses to cutlasses,
With nearly 150 original illustrations, this volume is sure to please and inform pirate fans of all ages.

• Race for Riches: a history of the origins of piracy
• Greed and Gold: a pirate’s life aboard ship and in battle
• Tools of the Trade: weapons, vessels, and pirate culture
• Rogues and Raiders: profiles of pirates through history
• Other Pirates, Other Times: the past and future of piracy
• A Roster of Infamy: a list of pirates and their vessels

Hard Cover $14.95

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Infamous Pirates and Their Incredible Lives

Hot off the presses — Read all about the incredible lives of some of history’s most infamous pirates. In his latest pirate book Miller Pope recounts the exploits of these outlaws of the seven seas. Enjoy profiles of pirates through history.

From the pirates at the dawn of civilization through the pirates of the middle ages and the most famous pirates of piracy’s golden age right through to the present day. .. this book tracks the infamous rogues of the seas.

Each pirate ’s story features a unique illustration of the pirate. Other Pirates, Other Times: the past and future of piracy. A Roster of Infamy: a list of pirates and their vessels

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Drawing BC-Before Computers

This hot off the press book describes and illustrates the techniques of illustration during the mid-century days before the reign of color television and computers when great short story magazines ruled.

In these pages artists may find inspiration and those who remember the simpler times of the decades following the second World War will find nostalgia for a bygone time.

Younger people who were born into the world of color television and computers may discover in these pages a glimpse into the past.

Drawing techniques of Illustration’s Golden Age. Miller Pope relates the techniques and mediums used by some of the finest illustrators before the rise of computers in the world of publishing.

“Before moving to Ocean Isle Beach, Miller Pope (”Tales of the Silver Coast,” “Miller Pope’s Book of Pirates”) was a top illustrator in New York publishing, working for advertising agencies in the “Mad Men” era and creating artwork for The Saturday Evening Post, Reader’s Digest and other publications, as well as a number of textbooks.

He recalls those days in “Drawing B.C.” as in Before Computers (Island Press, $16.95 paperback). Pope demonstrates techniques that he and other commercial artists used in predigital days to get eye catching effects that conveyed the message. (Helpful hint: “Less is More.”).

Younger artists can learn a trick or two; the rest of us will be transported into a color-filled retro-world.”

- Ben Steelman The Wilmington Star News, Wilmington, NC
Soft Cover $16.95

Buy them at MillerPope.com

Books by local Author, Illustrator – Miller Pope! Buy them at MillerPope.com

OK so this guy gets a kite and attaches a small video camera and … well lets let him tell us:

This is my 2nd attempt at KAV (Kite Aerial Video). The video was shot in the evening on July 21st, 2009 at Sunset Beach, NC. I would estimate that the camcorder was probably 75ft – 100ft in the air, and winds were probably 10mph – 15mph.

The first and last couple minutes of the video are considerably more shaky because I’m letting out and/or bringing in line at the time. Otherwise, I’m pretty happy with the minimal shakiness of the video, especially considering the whole camera/video rig consists of a couple nuts and bolts, sheet metal, a servo, and string, all dangling from a kite line. The video is a bit lengthy, but whatever, I thought it was cool to see the entire flight from start to finish. I also thought it was pretty cool to see birds flying BELOW the shot, as well as hearing the howl of the kite line at times. It also never gets old seeing Myrtle Beach in the distance when the camcorder is facing south-west.

TECHNICAL STUFF

••• Kite •••
10ft. Alpine DC by Into The Wind

••• Line •••
100# braided Dacron, 500ft

••• Accessories •••
2 x 20*ft. Gomberg inflatable tube tail
2 x 15ft. Gomberg ribbon tail

••• KAP/KAV Rig •••
Brooxes HoBEAK kit

••• Camera •••
JVC Everio GZ-MS120 Digital Camcorder

••• Location •••
Sunset Beach, NC @ 37th Street

The Winds resort is located on the oceanfront of nearby Ocean Isle Beach just ten minutes away from Sunset Beach, NC.

Water Aerobics – Yoga – Water Zumba – Surf Lessons By Jeff

(Surf Lessons are not affiliated with The Winds or Parks & Rec. )

Classes are open to the public but guests of The Winds can participate at either greatly reduced fees or for free!

For Information on the Programs, Schedules and Fees PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Louis Moore Bacon, who now resides in London but was born in Raleigh, has purchased almost the entire 5,000-acre property – including the historic plantation house and its famous gardens – from the Laurence Sprunt family who have owned the Brunswick County landmark since 1884.

The Plantation and Gardens will close indefinitely on May 31st while plans for the future and other renovations are made. Hurry to see this incredible place while this years gardens are still available to you!

Current Orton manager David Sprunt, will retain that position, said the family has kept the land around the plantation’s pond.

He said he’s excited about the plans for the plantation, but it is hard for the property leave his family’s ownership after all of these years.

A press release states that Bacon is directly descended from Roger Moore, who built the original Orton residence in 1725. Bacon’s mother’s family has strong ties to nearby Wilmington.

Many are relieved to hear that Mr. Bacon has a reputation for buying historic properties such as Orton Plantation and keeping them in their natural state. Also the N.C. Coastal Land Trust holds conservation easements covering much of the Orton property. The executive director of the Land Trust states that Bacon is noted as a conservationist and a supporter of numerous environmental organizations.

Forbes magazine notes Bacon, age 53, is a native of North Carolina who manages several hedge funds and now resides in London, and the London Sunday Times notes that that he is the richest hedge fund manager in Britain having a nearly $1.7 billion fortune.

Orton Plantation, which recently opened for the 2010 season, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the gardens. Extensive renovations were made in the gardens to open up panoramic views to the Cape Fear River, remove competing vegetation, redesign and enhance the flower beds and restore and preserve the colonial rice fields.

Among the predominant species in the garden are live oaks, camellias, azaleas, flowering fruit trees, daphne, hydrangeas, crape myrtles, dogwoods, and colorful spring and summer annuals. Lawns and water gardens lend variety to the lush vegetation.

Plan to come spend a day at Orton Plantation! The gardens are in their glory right now! The historic landscape designed around the 1735 mansion and colonial rice fields overlooking the Cape Fear River and 20 acres of secluded walking trails surrounded by hundreds of acres of rice fields make Orton Plantation Gardens a wonderful place to visit.

One of the oldest plantations on the Lower Cape Fear and the only one with a manor house still standing, Orton has become a privately owned tourist attraction, celebrated for its elaborate gardens. In recent years, the plantation and its grounds have served as locations on a number of motion pictures.

The house and grounds are located at 9149 Orton Road S.E., Brunswick County just off N.C. 133, close to the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.

Get directions click here!

Hours are 8am to 5pm March – August and 10am – 5pm September – November (except they close for Thanksgiving Day).

Here’s what they had to say about The Winds:

“Enjoy a two-night “Endless Summer” package at The Winds Resort Beach Club includes accommodations (Camellia Guest Room) with a wet bar, microwave and refrigerator, sitting area and an island view deck; hot Southern breakfast buffet; champagne for a private toast and use of complimentary bikes to explore the island from $199 on Sunday-Thursday arrivals from October 4-29.”

Click here to visit the site to see the entire “Top 10 Off-Season Getaways” list:

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/newsletter/escapes_sept15_09.html#top

The Delgado family has returned and they have been busy sculpting the sands of Ocean Isle Beach. Yesterday it was “Wally Gator” and a giant Sand Crab! Who knows what they’re up to today.

This is the 25th year that they have been coming to The Winds to spend their families’ summer vacations. This time there are 17 of them including their grandchild J.R. and their nephew Jacob who came all the way from San Diego, CA. Jacob is on leave from the Marine Corps and he’s enjoying a little R&R at The Winds!

This all started back in 1984 when Bill Delgado, a printing and graphics teacher from Twinsburg, Ohio, and his family began building a large sand sculpture on the beach.

Look for them on the beach and if you want to – grab a shovel and join in! Or just grab a shovel and act busy like the girls in the video.

One day last year Bill Delgado created Snoopy, a Sea Turtle and a Fish with sunglasses and a ball cap with help from Mary, Katherine, Hunter and others that joined in. Every day they created something different.

Send us your funny or interesting videos from your stay at The Winds – maybe we’ll put it on the Beach Club site! Just upload it to YouTube.com and send us the link in an email to: garypope@thewinds.com

Cost: $4,500,000.00! There was champagne, chocolate covered strawberries with cream and music dockside for the excited ’soon to be owners’ and a small? group of friends… cost: $500.00.

On hand to oversee were two corporate representatives, workers, a crane, and rigging complete with faulty turn buckle. Cost: $2,500 an hour!

Watching your dreamboat nose dive into the harbour, accompanied by two corporate representatives just prior to ‘inking’ the final paperwork… PRICELESS!

So, how was your day…?

With these six medals added to those won over the past six years the total awarded the winery comes to the 219 awards! Silver Coast Winery received bronze medals for its 2006 American Oak Chardonnay, 2005 Seyval Blanc and 2002 Merlot and silver medals for its Premium Oak Chardonnay, 2005 Reserve Merlot and 2004 Treasure.

Silver Coast Winery Winter hours (January & February) for tours and tastings are offered from noon to 5pm Wed – Sunday. For more info visit the winery’s site at: silvercoastwinery.com or call 910.287.2800

For more about the site read our archived story here!