What's inside this issue?

• BHA survey reopened for member feedback regarding BHI Transportation's proposed passenger ferry/tram schedule change.
• Board of Elections' canvass completed — both of the Village of BHI's 2024 G.O. Bond referendums passed.
• Right of First Refusal (ROFR) decision by Brunswick County Superior Court and Village of BHI's appeal.
• BHA's Association Center renovation update.
• BHA 2024 assessment deadline and grace periods have passed.
• Don't miss — March Island Report.
• Upcoming events.
• BHA quick links (ARC and BHA committees) and Board meetings.
• Handy Bald Head Island website links.

BHA Member Survey

Regarding BHI Transportation's Proposed

Passenger Ferry/Tram Schedule Change

~ Survey Reopened for Additional Member Feedback ~

BHI Transportation (BHIT) has applied to the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) for approval of revisions to the regular passenger ferry/tram schedules to 45-minute departures. BHA encourages members to read BHIT's filed application (click HERE).

BHA recently solicited member feedback via a survey. Read the survey results HERE, which have been forwarded to the NCUC.

BHA has reopened the survey for additional member feedback. We encourage members to read the application and provide BHA with your feedback by completing the survey HERE. Surveys will be accepted until notified. All survey results and comments will be forwarded to the NCUC.

To view the NCUC Docket A-41 Sub 23 and to email comments to the NCUC, see the links below.

Brunswick County Board of Elections'

Canvass Completed for the Village of BHI's

2024 G.O. Bond Referendum — Both Passed

Both of the G.O. Bond referendums passed, and the Brunswick County Board of Elections' canvass is completed. View the final results HERE.

For the Village's web page on results and next steps, visit HERE. For the Village's web page on the 2025 Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR) project, visit HERE.

Right of First Refusal (ROFR) decision by Brunswick County Superior Court and Village of BHI's appeal

On March 14, Brunswick County Superior Court filed an order granting plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment and denying defendant's motion for summary judgment. View the order HERE.

At the Village Council's March 15th meeting, the Village elected to appeal the order of the Brunswick County Superior Court finding invalid the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) for the Village to acquire the Transportation System recorded in the Brunswick County Registry.

BHA News

BHA's Association Center Renovation Update

~ We're getting close to completion and reopening ~

BHA's Association Center renovations are nearing completion, following the flooding that occurred late last year. The kitchen area flooring, cabinets and countertops are installed. Lighting and appliances should be arriving soon.

Watch this space for more updates and BHA's announcement of the reopening of its Association Center, BHI's community gathering space.

BHA's 2024 Assessment Deadline and

30-day Grace Periods Have Passed

For 2024, BHA's basic assessments remained the same as last year. A home is $570.00, and a lot is $190.00. Please note that BHA's 2024 assessments were due February 15, 2024. BHA allows a 30-day grace period for assessments, so late fees and interest began to accrue on outstanding balances as of March 15, 2024. Thank you to all who have already paid!

Did you miss your assessment bill in the mail?

If you missed your mailed assessment bill or for any questions, contact Leigh Ann Fink at 910-457-4676, ext. 27 or email her HERE.

Don't miss!

• BHA's 2024 Annual Meeting.
• ARC — when do plants and landscape changes need ARC approval?
• President's Letter.
• 5th annual Operation Re-Forest — We Forest.
• BHI native plant series feature — American holly.
• Earth Day celebration — "Pollinators" and native plant and herb sale.
• Dark skies.
• 2024 BHA annual assessments.
• BHA's Board updates.
• New to BHA? Meet the BHA staff.
• Monthly contributors — the Village of BHI, Old Baldy Foundation and the BHI Conservancy.
• Plus much more!

Due to flooding in BHA's Association Center,

all activities are being temporarily relocated during renovations. For the latest updates, check our online event calendar for location information.

Cape Fear Badwater Ultra Running Race

on Bald Head Island

Saturday, March 23

The Cape Fear Badwater Ultra Running Race is scheduled for Saturday, March 23. This all-day race will take place on several Village wynds, and Public Safety will be providing traffic control for this event. Nearly 200 runners are expected to compete this year. Other activities for the participants will be taking place on the Island beginning Friday through Sunday. For more information, click HERE.

BHA's office will be closed

on Friday, March 29,

in observance of Good Friday.

BHA wishes everyone a happy Easter! The office

will be closed on Friday, March 29, and will reopen

on Monday, April 1, with regular office hours of 9:00am-4:00pm.

For Architectural Review Committee (ARC) staff appointments, email Chris Howard.

Community Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 30, 1:00pm

Village Common Park

at Cape Fear Station

Come join the family fun! BHA’s Education and Recreation (ER) Committee is sponsoring a community-wide Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30, at 1:00pm in the Village Common Park at Cape Fear Station (201 SE Beach Drive).

The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance. There will be three sections — one for each age group: 5 and under, 6-9 and 10+. Bring your own baskets and cameras for this hoppy event! For more information, contact Millicent O’Connor.

BHI Transportation

Deadline of March 31, 2024,

for 2-part ("Old") Paper Ferry Tickets

According to BHI Transportation's announcement:

Bald Head Island Transportation will STOP accepting two-part (“old”) paper tickets after March 31, 2024. "Old" Bulk 40 tickets (only) may be exchanged for a coupon code through March 31, 2024.

Starting April 1, 2024, only QR-coded “new” tickets and transferred or newly issued passes will be valid for ferry boarding.

Click HERE for the announcement. Click HERE for BHI Transportation's website.

BHI Earth Day Celebration

"Pollinators" Theme

Saturday, April 5

10:00am-2:00pm

Marina Park

The BHI Conservancy and Bald Head Association are hosting an inaugural Earth Day event on April 5. 

This year’s theme is "Pollinators." Join us on Saturday, April 5, from 10:00am-2:00pm at Marina Park in BHI's Harbour (111 Keelson Row).

There will be a native plant sale (property owners who pre-ordered their native plants can pick them up), a farmer’s market and fun activities for the whole family. The NC Wildlife Federation, Bee City USA, Old Baldy Foundation, the BHI Garden Club and others will be sharing the importance of pollinators on Bald Head Island and how you can create a habitat for them in your own backyard.

Explore the new Pollinator Garden and complete the BHI Conservancy’s colors-in-nature Bioblitz activity! You’ll learn how to use iNaturalist, a community science app, to make observations that scientists can use in their research and contribute directly to the current projects happening on Bald Head Island.

This event satisfies our community’s commitment as a Bee City USA affiliate to host pollinator awareness events. To learn more about Bee City USA, check out the Village's web page HERE.

Community Potluck Dinner

Monday, April 8, 6:00pm

~ Tentatively scheduled at BHA's Association Center ~

Join your BHI neighbors for a lively fiesta! Bring a Mexican-inspired dish to share and your favorite beverage. The dinner is tentatively scheduled at BHA's Association Center (111 Lighthouse Wynd). Stay tuned for any updates.

Thank you to BHA's Education and Recreation (ER) Committee for sponsoring this event! Contact Kris Riley for additional information.

BHI Conservancy's Third Annual

Johnston Coastal Sustainability Symposium

Tuesday, April 9

Session One 8:30am-12:00pm at BHA's Association Center

Session Two 5:30-8:00pm at the BHI Club

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Annual Johnston Coastal Sustainability Symposium. This year’s theme is “Bald Head Island 2063,” as the BHI Conservancy addresses the most pressing concerns for the next 40 years and how the natural systems of Bald Head Island might respond. 

The Symposium will be held Tuesday, April 9, and will be divided into two sessions: a morning session at BHA's Association Center (111 Lighthouse Wynd) from 8:30am-12:00pm and an evening session at the BHI Club (1 Saltmeadow Trail) from 5:30-8:00pm. (Note that reservations through the BHI Club will be required.) Attendees will hear from guest speakers across a spectrum of coastal sustainability areas, including environmental writer David Gessner and Johnston Graduate Fellow in Coastal Sustainability Kimmy Hanson.

A huge thank you to Dick and Pat Johnston for sponsoring the Bald Head Island Conservancy’s Coastal Sustainability Center Initiative. For more information about the symposium, click HERE.

Island-wide Litter Sweep

Saturday, April 20

10:00am-12:00pm

In front of Room Service

Join the Resource Conservation and Beautification (RCB) Committee in its spring Island-wide Litter Sweep on Saturday, April 20, at 10:00am. Gather in front of Room Service (4 Maritime Way) for supplies and a list of areas to cover. We'll have water and fresh fruit to get you started, and participants receive a reusable shopping bag. For questions, contact Barbara Giera.

Picture Book Writing Retreat

May 3-5

April 3rd deadline is approaching!

"Everyone has a story; what's yours?" Join Jenny Bowman, children's book author and editor for a

Picture Book Writing Retreat May 3-5. The retreat is open to 12 participants. Visit HERE to learn more about this special event on Bald Head Island. For questions, contact Betsi Stephen HERE.

Project Longevity/Community Care

Presentation and Workshop

Friday, May 3, 10:00am

Public Safety Complex

~ RSVP by April 15 ~

The Project Longevity/Community Care team is back again with a special event. Jason Clamme from Lower Cape Fear Lifecare will be returning to BHI. Jason was a presenter at the last meeting and discussed hospice care. He will be back to ” Begin the Conversation” about:

• Understanding and defining healthcare choices
• Putting plans in writing
• Sharing decisions with family members and doctors

A notary will be available to assist with the preparation of your advance directives, so bring your ID. If you would like to attend this event, please email Joan Maggio HERE by April 15 with the following information for each individual who will be attending:

• Name
• Email address
• Telephone number

Seating will be limited, so please respond as soon as possible. If interest is great, a 1:30pm presentation will be added.

Yoga Classes

~ Classes are paused until Association Center reopens ~

Once yoga classes resume, they will continue to be taught by Pam Moulin on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:45am-1:00pm.

Pam has 36 years of experience as a fitness instructor and 19 years of experience as a yoga instructor, and she's been teaching yoga on Bald Head Island for 13 years. All levels are welcome. Classes are $20, and participants must bring their own yoga mat. Pam requires that all participants show proof of vaccination against Covid-19. For all new participants, it's strongly suggested to email Pam beforehand (and let her know of any physical limitations) HERE.

BHA's Board of Directors invites property owners and others to join its monthly public meetings in person or remotely via Zoom. Agendas, approved minutes of previous meetings and a link to the current monthly Zoom meeting can be found on the meeting information web page. Click on the link below to learn more.

[NOTE: The day/time of Board meetings has changed.] The next BHA Board meeting public session is scheduled for Friday, April 26, 2024,

at 10:00am in BHA's Association Center (111 Lighthouse Wynd, BHI).

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